a tiny steeplecab electric

[tedp]

Some time ago I posted photos of a steeple cab loco in the 'engines and rolling stock for Nixnie' thread. This was made using a Tom Bell (Tebee) 3D printed body, on a Bandai 4-wheel chassis.

I finished this loco as a battery electric for the time being, since I couldn't find a suitable pantograph.





However, if I want to use it on the tramway at Rae Bridge, it will need a pantograph. Last week I visited a model railway fair at Cologne, where I found a suitable Sommerfeldt pantograph. So I made a new roof for the tiny model, carrying the pantograph. I decided to use laminated card with a balsa base that is a push fit inside the body.





The lamination was done using PVA glue. I used good quality card from a punch card (legacy ICT) with three laminations. The card was bruised into a curve by rolling around a small screwdriver with a corrugated handle. Then it was glued together and curved to the shape of the original roof. Laminated card will produce a very strong shape that won't easily warp.

The balsa base was cut and sanded to shape and fitted with cut-outs to clear the cab windows. Two strips on top support the pantograph base. Note that I didn't model insulators - no vertical clearance under the wire.

Here is the result, after painting the pantograph with diluted Revell anthracite black, so the red still shows through to some extent:



I still have the original roof, which will be fitted with another balsa patch so it can be exchanged - the loco can still be used as a battery unit for Nixnie.

[Hugh Norwood]

Very nice - as ever!

[tedp]

Thanks Hugh - it needs a little more detail (steps and handrails) but otherwise it's completed now.