Question as above. Anyone here knowing the answer for H0scale? By comparing with prototype photos I think 40 links per inch is too small, and I have a really great chain with 21 links per inch, but unfortunately this seems to be too large. Or were there different sizes in use?
Thanks for your help.
Different sizes were used - depending on the size and weight of the tender truck. If my calculations are close, your 21 links to the inch (HO) is about 3 links per foot full size. 40 links to the inch (HO) is about 5.5 links per foot. My best photos of 1869 tenders - the period I work in at Golden Spike - show that the 21 links is closer to prototype than the 40 links. I haven't measured but my best guess is about 4 links per foot is what we are using. I personally think that slightly oversize is preferable to undersize for this type of detail.
dd
Just took a look at the prototype photos in MR Cyclopedia Volume 1, Steam Locomotives. The majority of locos where the safety chains were visible appeared to have 3-4 links per foot. IMHO the 21 link/inch chain would be right for the majority of them. None appeared to be as light as a 40 link/inch chain would look in HO (it would almost be right for N scale!)
OTOH, the JNR locos in (Japanese language) Steam Loco in Japan have safety chain that is much lighter - more dog leash than log chain. 40 link/inch would represent it accurately if I owned a locomotive (4-6-2 or 4-6-4) that actually used safety chains.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - without safety chains)
VAPEURCHAPELON wrote:Thanks very much guys. I too think the larger chain would look good, but wanted to be more sure.
Use as small a chain that will allow you to use eyelets(liftrings) to mount. Even this chain will most likely be a bit too large. sometimes modeler's license is needed. Not everything will always scale. Carefully open the eyelet and fit the chain, close and mount. You may find that one eyelet should be open enough to pop the chain loose for any future truck removal.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
bogp40 wrote: VAPEURCHAPELON wrote:Thanks very much guys. I too think the larger chain would look good, but wanted to be more sure.Use as small a chain that will allow you to use eyelets(liftrings) to mount. Even this chain will most likely be a bit too large. sometimes modeler's license is needed. Not everything will always scale. Carefully open the eyelet and fit the chain, close and mount. You may find that one eyelet should be open enough to pop the chain loose for any future truck removal.
Bob's right: in the case of tender safety chains, either don't model them or model them larger that true scale. The IMPRESSION of reality is more important that gross scale fidelity in this case. I don't worry at ALL about the chain sizes that I use on my engines, and they look just fine:
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
bogp40 wrote:Use as small a chain that will allow you to use eyelets(liftrings) to mount. Even this chain will most likely be a bit too large. sometimes modeler's license is needed. Not everything will always scale. Carefully open the eyelet and fit the chain, close and mount. You may find that one eyelet should be open enough to pop the chain loose for any future truck removal.
Too large? Please have a look at
http://www.brassbackshp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124
The photos are not very sharp, but the size of the chains I installed there one can see fairly well. This is the 40 links per inch chain, and in my eyes this is too small. Don't you think?
Sorry the link given above is incomplete. Here ist the correct one:
http://www.brassbackshop.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=124