Building a 1 1/2" diesel idea

[ndbprr]

Neighbor has a Craftsman tractor with a hydrostatic transmission he is throwing away. I figure I can use the frame and motor and mount for propulsion and mount the transmission between the trucks with U joints and a gear reducer for a drive. Then I can add a carbody over it. Any thoughts or comments would be apprecitaed. Thanks.

[Marty Cozad]

Norm
I almost started in that scale. But the cost, transporting it, and even less folks to play trqins with stopped me.
I could build the cars, but location and yard space is even more an issue. man I'd go for it.

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ndbprr

Neighbor has a Craftsman tractor with a hydrostatic transmission he is throwing away. I figure I can use the frame and motor and mount for propulsion and mount the transmission between the trucks with U joints and a gear reducer for a drive. Then I can add a carbody over it. Any thoughts or comments would be apprecitaed. Thanks.

Sooooooooooo, why is he throwing out the beasty???

Check the motor and the tranny first, before building frame and body etc.

It certainly is an intriguing size. When I get older I may try 7 1/2" Live Steam, one day.[;)][:)][:)]

[Tom The Brat]

I started designing in 2 inch scale, just 'cause the extra 2 inches in gauge made things a little easier. Scaled back to 1:29 for the asylum[;)]

[Tom The Brat]

If I had a place to put it, I would certainly not turn such useful sounding junk down!

[Rene Schweitzer]

ndb,
Not that I enjoy referring people away from our web site. . .but have you tried these links:
http://www.grandscales.com/
http://www.livesteam.net/
http://www.ridingrailkits.com/ (they have a beginner video)

Rene

[ndbprr]

Well the available area is 3/4 of an acre roughly 100' wide and 250' deep with a slight slope front to back and about 1' side to side so a reverse loop at either end (with the house in the middle) and a spring switch should give a decent run. Basement has a garage door into it so a third spring switch would allow me to back the train into the house for storage. Cost is a factor. With diesels running $3000 and up this could be done much cheaper I think. Space is there. Storage isn't a problem. Money is!

[Tom The Brat]

Understand that!

I designed mine mainly of plywood and pvc pipe. Hoped for a few hundred to build the loco. Then business got much worse.

[grandpopswalt]

If the grandsons are willing to invest some sweat, we may take a shot at 2" or 2 1/2" scale gas powered trains. I've concluded that installing track and swtches for about 800' of right-of-way is far too expensive and labor intensive. So I'm working on a radio receiver guided scheme (receiver follows a buried radio antenna and steers the locomotive). Backing moves would be guided by receivers in the caboose.

Walt

[Tom The Brat]

We had (she has) 1 1/2 acers of lightly rolling ground 250 ft from a 1 lane road. A tiny little house, and 2 redheaded boys.

Here's what I had in mind for track:



http://www.railsystemsco.com/Groovy%20track.htm

Wondered if aluminum would be cheaper than steel, but steel wasn't very expensive.

[smcgill]

Put rubber wheels - no track needed - use the neighbor hood ! [;)]

[Train 284]

These trains can be expensive. Talk to my good friend Greg Robinson (www.grandscales.com) (www.7plusrailroader.com) He will get you started with all the information you need! Tell him Matt sent ya! [;)]