Chassis dimensions and the new handbook

[Hobby]

Will the new handbook have those chassis diagrams/dimensions like the old ones, perhaps updated with the newer chassis from Minitrains, Tomix, Heljan and Bachmann? I'm sure plenty of people would like it, perhaps on the members only section of the website as well?

[B.Meldon]

Will the new handbook have those chassis diagrams/dimensions like the old ones, perhaps updated with the newer chassis from Minitrains, Tomix, Heljan and Bachmann? I'm sure plenty of people would like it, perhaps on the members only section of the website as well?

I agree Blair, it was a good resource in the old handbook that I still use to this day.

[Hugh Norwood]

Does somebody want to do the leg-work in drawing them all to scale?

[Hobby]

Even the basics such as wheel diameter, wheelbase, bogie centres would be a good start. No need for drawings, though, how about photos with dimensions added, probably gives a better idea of the chassis than a line drawing as well... eg:

https://imgur.com/Ncuom8y

I'd suggest that we can only give dimensions for the chassis we have, which in my case wouldn't amount to very many, I've appealed for this info before, on NGRM, and offered to collate it but was met with a big resounding ZERO in responses!

[David Weber]

To whom, where, should people send dimensions, diagrams, pictures etc for this project?I think it should be fairly easy to cover the Japanese bobo and tram types because they usually state key dimensions and provide a diagram in the product description online and on the packaging.

[Hobby]

Japanese are listed here:

http://trainweb.org/tomix/chassis_dim.htm

[David Weber]

Yes, and that's an excellent resource. Which raises the question, is it actually necessary for the Society to create a list, or just direct people to lists that already exist?

[Hobby]

As far as I know that's the only one, David, there aren't any for British, European and American locos that I know of, otherwise yes I would agree that a simple link would be fine... As long as someone has backed up the info just in case (or when) the website is taken down as seems to happen quite regularly.

[B.Meldon]

The problem with directing members to web sites in the printed handbook is that the web sites can disappear without notice making the info useless.
What I would recommend at the very least to use the info/drawings in the old handbooks for all the older chassis as it is quite clear that many members still use these in the older 009 white metal kits and then add any newer chassis if possible. This assumes that those preparing the new edition have access to the masters or even printed editions of the older handbooks. (I may be able to help with HDMI version of the chassis drawing pages!)
Perhaps Neville at N drive could provide the drawings etc. for his range of chassis, it would certainly be a good place to publicise them.

[Hugh Norwood]

I think one issue here might be forethought - we tend to use a chassis, and if it fits - well and good, but there it is in the body and we haven't had the forethought to measure it and note down the critical dimensions before we've installed it. (I know I'm guilty as charged!)

Plus, of course, there is the traditional reticence of folk to publish their work (as NEWS editors will attest!)

Perhaps rather than putting the onus on one individual, we can use this forum (and indeed this thread?) for folk to post the dimensions of the various chassis if and when they use them?

A suitably labelled photo or two - like that image above would be ideal? The photo does help a lot!

I might give it a try soon as I have a Bachmann Percy stripped down that I could use...

[Graeme Dunbar]

A photograph (or three!) along with the essential dimensions is a good idea even if there is a reasonably detailed drawing. Some manufacturer's ones are very detailed but it is asking a lot of someone to make drawings of similar detail. A clear photograph can show the detail that might be missing from an outline drawing.

Building up a collection over time rather than hoping to produce a complete set in time for including the handbook seems more realistic.

Where manufacturer's drawings do exist, would it be possible to put them on the web page much in the way there is 'Parts List' material on the web site?

[Hugh Norwood]

Where manufacturer's drawings do exist, would it be possible to put them on the web page much in the way there is 'Parts List' material on the web site?

There may be a copyright problem there! Needs some investigation.

[Hugh Norwood]

Well, that took a couple of hours of my time!

[Hugh Norwood]

Some thoughts

It does require forethought - as you can see I had already worked on that chassis -painted the wheels and bulked up the cylinders. This was because I remembered the Percy chassis I have "in waiting" has been butchered a bit, so I had to remove this one from a loco!

I took the photos with my phone - it produced better pictures than my DSLR! I supported the chassis with a bit of Blu-Tak to keep it in the orientations required for photography.

Measurements were done with a set of digital calipers. I really should have made a list beforehand as I had to do a second round of measurements..

actually cropping the images and putting them together on one page and adding the lines and dimensions was easy!

[Hobby]

The problem with directing members to web sites in the printed handbook is that the web sites can disappear without notice making the info useless.

Conversely the moment the handbook is sent to the publishers it becomes out of date, I can think of three chassis which will probably arrive too late for inclusion in the handbook as it stands now. There's also the space taken up in the handbook which could be better used, I'd suggest that 99.9% of people have access to the internet and as such a section on the Society Website may be a better place for these drawings/photos, people can always print the ones they need. With regards to websites coming and going as far as I am aware there is only that website with chassis dimensions for N chassis so perhaps it might be worth an official approaching the owner to see if we could display the diagrams on a member's Only section of the Society website?

Talking of keeping things updated, will there be a pdf. version of the handbook?