Adding false frames and outside cranks to an N gauge chassis

[tedp]

Hello Dave - I just noticed your message.

I just had a look since I forgot exactly what I did - it's 35 years ago by now. They are plastic bushes about 3mm diameter and 2mm long which I cut from a plastic ballpoint reservoir. They were glued to the wheel faces with contact glue. The cranks are plastic and the crankpins are brass nails. The contact glue deteriorated over time, and when one of the cranks came off I fixed all four using superglue.

The coupling rods were made up of wire, straightened by rolling under a file, doubled back around a pin and soldered together. One end has a loop, the other has a fork which prevents binding since the chassis is gear coupled.

Here is a diagram, which I suppose explains all:





I hope this helps you along!

[David Prime]

Many thanks Ted , so ballpoint pen eh .... Brilliant . I'm now working on an old Minitrix 2-6-2 which if it fails I don't mind as I had consigned the chassis as a Dead one . I'll try and use your method and learn from it. Funnily enough the chassis now breathes again.... If this works I'll let you know.
Many thanks , Dave .