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Bachmann Gandy Dancer hand car

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • 27 posts
Bachmann Gandy Dancer hand car
Posted by alanmende on Thursday, April 19, 2018 3:54 PM

 Can someone tell me the wheelbase of the Bachmann Gandy Dancer hand car?  I've run into a bit of a problem in that I'm kitbashing a Bachmann Brill street car body into a 1903 Brill combine with a full interior.  The baggage section scales out at 7'-9" ( or about 1-1/16").  The NWSL PDT that I bought for it many years ago is way too big as is the original Bachmann motor/power truck.  Before I go and scratchbuild my own drive, I'd like the dimensions of the Bachmann Gandy Dancer hand truck.

Kindest regards,

Alan Mende

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, April 19, 2018 4:11 PM

In case you do not get an answer here, you can also ask at the Bachmann forums. Many users there with Bachmann reps.

Google Bachmann forums for link.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Kentucky
  • 10,660 posts
Posted by Heartland Division CB&Q on Thursday, April 19, 2018 5:16 PM

Alan.   I just measured my Bachman Gandy Dancer.  It is 6’ 0” wheelbase. 

Another alternative might be the Stanton drive from NWSL.  I have one in my repowered Bachman doodlebug . It has a 7’ 0” wheel base . 

GARRY

HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR

EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • 27 posts
Posted by alanmende on Thursday, April 19, 2018 10:11 PM

Thank you, Garry.  I'll have to see if the motor -- minus the figures, etc. -- will fit in the baggage compartment.  I have a Stanton drive powering an old Aristocraft CNJ boxcab, and it, too, is too large.

Alan

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Friday, April 20, 2018 1:23 AM

Alan:

Interesting project! I love working with tiny drive systems. Unfortunately I don't know of any drives that are less than 6 scale feet in length.

There is a modeller on the forums who is a bit of a genius at designing and building small drive systems. His forum name is Darth Santa Fe. You might want to send him a PM to see if he has any suggestions. He is a great guy and a superb modeller, and he is quite willing to share his methodologies.

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
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, April 20, 2018 7:27 AM

 I think it will be hard to get a motor powerful enough to actually pull the thing and small enough to fit between the axles, with gears, in a less than 6 scale foot length. However, if there is room to go vertical with the motor, or some sort of remote mounted motor, with a belt drive (say parts from late model Bachmann steam locos with cogged belts - those old spring belts used in brass models work as long as you don;t want to pull some traielr cars, but they are noisy). Don't know any available ready to go though. Dave's got the best bet, check with Darth, he builds all sorts of intricate drives for his projects. One thing, with a vertical motor there can be issues with the torque trying to twist the truck to one side or the other, making it prone to picking switch points and frogs. SO it's not all roses - there are tradeoffs.

                                   --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2014
  • From: Pennsylvania
  • 1,154 posts
Posted by Trainman440 on Friday, April 20, 2018 10:36 AM

hon30critter

There is a modeller on the forums who is a bit of a genius at designing and building small drive systems. His forum name is Darth Santa Fe. You might want to send him a PM to see if he has any suggestions. 

DSF the legend! Big Smile

http://cs.trains.com/members/darth-santa-fe/default.aspx

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

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