Making a tram loco

[Hugh Norwood]

I had been given this railcar body - a Chris Ward printed model from his older machine, I gather.
I wondered if it would make a nice steam tram engine. (I must admit to a fondness for tram locos dating back to my formative years and Toby the Tram Engine)


I had a length of brass tube that looked about the right diameter, so I made a cradle out of styrene strip. The box sits inside the body and just clears the top of the Kato chassis. Some 90-degree angle styrene acts as supports for the tube.


here it is sitting in the body to give an indication what it will look like when finished.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Looks like a good start. I'm interested in what develops.

Jeff S.

[Gerhard Novak]

Looks good! Looking forward for more.

[Hugh Norwood]

The boiler tube is held down with thin card at each end - representing the firebox and smoke box. I have put on some detail to represent the firebox backhead. The dome is the end of a ballpoint pen. The wire sticking out of the top will become the whistle; I'll put a couple of short lengths of wire insulation over it.


And another shot of the boiler in place. I was not happy with the smokebox door (off another old pen) I have now removed it and used that old standby - a drawing pin head. It's now in the paintshop...

[Jeff Schumaker]

This is coming together nicely.

Jeff S.

[Hugh Norwood]

Finished - apart from a bit of touching-up on the paintwork, perhaps. The loco is the same shade of blue all round - it's just the lighting that makes it look odd.



It weighs in at 62 grammes, so I expect it will be useful.

[Gerhard Novak]

Very nice as far as I can see. The only thing to improve would be a photo with a bit more light.
You were very fast! How long did this take you from the idea to the ready model on the track?
Gerhard

[Hugh Norwood]

Very nice as far as I can see. The only thing to improve would be a photo with a bit more light.
You were very fast! How long did this take you from the idea to the ready model on the track?
Gerhard

Thank you!
About 10 days (ish)