Putting a new Minitrains chassis in an old Egger Bahn Railmotor

[Allscales]

I've posted the same on rmweb, but thought I'd ask the same here:

The new minitrains chassis looks like an almost like for like replacement of the old Egger Bahn chassis. As one of my old steam rail motors runs like a dog (while growling) is the idea of replacing the chassis with the new Minitrains one a runner (excuse the pun)?

But then again given the current rate of new Minitrains releases, we might be able to expect one (with trailer coach?) to arrive by Christmas!

[B.Meldon]

Here is a link to a drawing of the new Minitrains chassis:

http://www.minitrains.eu/chassis-dimensions.pdf

Compare this with the dimensions of the original chassis and you will see what work needs to be done too make it fit.
However this is the latest version of the chassis as now sold separately and used in the Krauss locos. The chassis in the Gmeinder diesel is shorter at the front end (cut off just in front of the chimney/locating hole.) and the older rod driven Koppel chassis is a different design again. (I have no drawing)

The conversion is possible but you will need to do some work as the chassis is not a direct replacement.

I think you will find that the main problem you will have may be that motor is set slightly further back from the wheels when compared to the old Egger and Jouef chassis and the flywheel also makes the motor taller, again requiring the chassis to be further forward to clear the inside of the body. As a result the wheels will need be further forward than the original giving the railcar a rather unbalanced appearance compared to the original.
The Krauss and Gmeinder chassis are gear driven but they are clipped in place and do not have the hole through them for the original Egger/Jouef chassis fixing screw. The Koppel chassis that is rod driven does have a fixing screw hole. But because of the motor and flywheel it will not line up with the original hole in the body and it may well foul the steel pin used for the articulation.
The fixing clip does come with the separate chassis, but the inside of body will require some alterations to get the chassis too sit at the correct height and as it is a tight clip fit it will need to be fixed very securely to the body or it will just pull apart when you try and remove the chassis.

As far as I know there are no plans to produce the railcar or the tram loco, or indeed any more Egger-bahn lookalike locos.

Brian Meldon

[Elmgate]

Martin Collins of the Sussex Downs Group has done this, and I am in the process of doing so as I type (however, I am away for a couple of days, so cannot take pictures for a while). I am using the Krauss type chassis. It is easier than I envisaged; the fixing plate provided by Minitrains screws into the hole in the body that takes the original screw. I have spaced this plate off with 1 mm (40 thou) plastic card. The other hole is screwed to a piece of 3 mm (120 thou) card. At the "rear" end of the loco section, the location point for the cylinder end of the chassis has to be removed, up to the point where the cylinder moulding fits snugly against the remaining body, once the chassis is clipped into the fixing plate. I have put another piece of 3mm card into the space, drilled 2mm, and the nylon(?) screw provided with the Minitrains chassis (not with the loco) screws through into the chassis through the cylinder moulding. I confess that I have accepted the body is slightly higher than originally, and have spaced the bogie abaout 0.5 mm higher.

As I say, photos can follow, if you are interested.

[B.Meldon]

Well I would like to see the photos and I am sure many others would as well.

Brian Meldon

[MickT]

Same here please Tim, I for one would very much like to see some photos of this one.

Mick

[invercloy]

As I say, photos can follow, if you are interested.

Never mind photos here, Tim, how about an article for the News please? :)

[Elmgate]

Brian, Mick, and Tom,

Yes, yes, and yes! But probably not until I get back from a few days away next week, and have a chance to finish the job!!!

Regards

[Allscales]

I'll vote for that!

How many pints would be required for you to produce that?

Beers,

Friso

[Martin Collins]

As Tim says, I've already done this and can't think of a simpler conversion.  Simply separate loco and coach sections and remove existing Egger chassis.  I used the Krauss chassis and as Tim says, utilising the existing fixing hole, secured the clip plate supplied with the chassis, and drilled and tapped a second hole for the second screw (also supplied).  Cut away the coach frame so as to clear the rear facing cylinders and simply push the chassis into the clip plate.  Job done!
Or at least I thought it was, until on the second outing on "Llandecwyn", it suddenly hiccupped and stopped but with the motor still spinning.  For some reason, the worm had stripped the teeth off the primary idler gear.  Unable to get a replacement, and I wouldn't recommend dismantling one of these chassis anyway - too many loose axles, loose gears and loose shim washers, all of which have to be held in place, along with pinching the pickups behind the wheels whilst screwing back the keeper plate - minimum of five hands required.  In the end, I bought a Gmeinder chassis from Brian and fitted the Krauss rods and cylinders to it.  so far, so good.  I also wired up the rear bogie to provide additional pick up. 
If I ever work out how to post pictures on forums, I will, but more likely to be an article for the "News"
Martin

[MickT]

Oh dear, a very expensive railmotor in the end then!

Mick

[Martin Collins]

Yes Mick, but at the moment it's running like a dream

Martin

[B.Meldon]

 Did you contact Minitrains about the problem with the chassis Martin?

I would be very surprised if they did not help you.

Brian Meldon

[Martin Collins]

No Brian, I didn't, because it was suggested to me that as a Society, we had probably had more than enough goodwill from them, and they might not take too kindly to complaints about their chassis.  I might pursue it in the future, simply as a request for a spare, but as I'd had the chassis for two years before attempting to use it, I guess it wouldn't be covered by any kind of warranty.  Besides, I've got two Brian Madge "Velinheli's" to build, a second F & C o/s frame chassis to put under a Varikit, and alterations to do to my loco shed, so for the moment, it's not high up my priority list!
Martin

[Elmgate]

I have completed my conversion, and am working on my article, with some help from Brian Meldon for background information, and hope to send the the Editors within the next week. I think that Martin has oversimplified the job, as a large amount of plastic had to be removed from the loco unit, to fit the cylinders. However, I hope that we will compare notes this Friday.

[Elmgate]

As promised, a photo of the finished model. Article on its way to the editors.