Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

New project - powering a Climax kit!

6296 views
20 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
New project - powering a Climax kit!
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Thursday, June 4, 2015 9:04 PM

Ok, so I've actually had it lying around waiting for the past 2 years, but I have managed to fully power a Hommer Climax kit from Ye Olde Huff 'N' Puff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlwi009PwsY

I fit all of the mechanics underneath the floor, so it's all almost completely out of sight from normal viewing. Should be a really cool little engine when it's done!

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Thursday, June 4, 2015 9:23 PM

Very nice.

Post a picture of the finished model when you complete it.

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, June 4, 2015 10:45 PM

Darth!

Another amazing mechanical conversion!! BowBow

I'm so tempted to follow your lead but the fact is that I have recently spent several $100s on powering a couple of Grandt Line switchers with BullAnts and DCC/sound. I have to back off on the spending for a while, but maybe down the road....Whistling

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Friday, June 5, 2015 12:07 AM

Nicely done (as usual).  Thumbs UpThumbs Up

Wayne

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,257 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, June 5, 2015 6:42 AM
Madness, but I like it!!! Thanks for sharing your projects.Bow
Cheers, the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Friday, June 5, 2015 8:15 AM
DFS you have done it again!! Great project

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Friday, June 5, 2015 9:15 AM

I did NOT expect that "thing" to run so nicely.  Wow.

 

Good work!

 

 

Ed

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,780 posts
Posted by snjroy on Friday, June 5, 2015 12:16 PM

Nice work!  Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • 186 posts
Posted by CandOsteam on Friday, June 5, 2015 4:18 PM

Kudos!Thumbs Up

Joel

Modeling the C&O New River Subdivision circa 1949 for the fun of it!

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Saturday, June 6, 2015 12:52 PM

Thanks! I will definitely be posting pictures of the finished kit.Big Smile

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Big Blackfoot River
  • 2,788 posts
Posted by Geared Steam on Saturday, June 6, 2015 10:37 PM

Wow Darth!

This is your best work yet imho, she runs sweet! 

You should market and sell Thumbs Up them. I imagine a decoder could be added somewhere inside the crew compartment or firewood pile if DCC is wanted?

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 917 posts
Posted by Southgate on Sunday, June 7, 2015 12:28 AM

Before looking at the video, I figured if anyone can pull this off, it would be you. I'm impressed. Again.

Is that belt drive of your own making? Details please???

Dan

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Sunday, June 7, 2015 4:51 PM

Geared Steam, I actually sent the idea to NWSL earlier, though a bit simplified to use their existing parts. It's be cool if they can sell it as a powering kit!

Southgate, I did make the belt drive myself! I stuck a length of 22 gauge wire sheath on the motor's shaft for some extra grip, and the pully came from an old computer CD drive. I stuck brass bearings into wood blocks for the pulley shaft. The belt is a tiny rubber band intended for braces, and I also stuck a piece of wire near the motor shaft as a guard to prevent the belt from getting caught on itself, which would happen occasionally at high speed. It's quiet, has plenty of torque, and works great!

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Sunday, June 7, 2015 4:56 PM

Got it all finished! Here's a gallery.Big Smile






And just for fun, here it is with my Shay kits.Big Smile

And here's a quick video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA6ki55AaVc

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    August 2013
  • 3,006 posts
Posted by ACY Tom on Sunday, June 7, 2015 6:07 PM

I have absolutely no use for such a machine:  Wrong era; Wrong type of operation.  BUT I WANT ONE!

Tom

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, June 8, 2015 2:00 AM

What Tom said!

Beautiful little engine!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 917 posts
Posted by Southgate on Monday, June 8, 2015 4:46 AM

Ya done yerself proud, Darth.  Nice work on the Kadee logs too. Dan

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, June 8, 2015 5:06 AM

Darth:

Would you be willing to post the NWSL part #s?

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Monday, June 8, 2015 11:01 PM

For the NWSL parts, I used:

1220D-9 motor
435-6 flywheel
207-6 Flea gearbox (x4)
487-6 universals
2015-4 shaft

I used Intermountain 28" wheels since I had them on hand and added 32015-6 gears (x4). Otherwise, I would've used 2008-6 26" geared axles (x4). Since the price change last year, the geared axles are actually cheaper now than the individual gears (I actually bought all the parts 2 years ago). NWSL's hurting for cash, so they had to increase the prices of most of their standard gears...

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    June 2005
  • 4,368 posts
Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Monday, June 8, 2015 11:02 PM

ACY, that's how a I feel about too many things, so I don't even bother with era or location!

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, June 8, 2015 11:48 PM

Thanks for posting the parts list.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!