Hi CV464
Just seen your post
I think Romford still exist.
The skirt hides a whole host of evils so if I where you I would use a locally available chassis as a basis for the model.
Its more likely to match your track standards or at least modern ones
The tram is /was a real one so I would do a bit of research before starting, and would also dump the face idea so like the original model no face
Some one in the UK also makes a kit for a Wisbech & Upwell coach AKA Henrietta.
Good luck with the project
regards John
Prior to the introduction of electric trolleys, some US cities had steam-powered streetcar lines. The locomotive was typically one that looked like this, mostly covered with a wooden outer shell that concealed the steam locomotive apparatus in order to avoid scaring horses and injuries to pedestrians. They were rendered obsolete with the introduction of overhead trolley wire in the 1880s. Some of them were bought by logging companies who used the small, lightweight lokeys to haul logs out of the woods.
The model itself looks kind of similar to the boxcab bodies that were released by Ken Kidder in the 1960s, designed to fit on top of the Athearn "Hustler" chassis.
CV464 wrote:I was actually planning on using a 0-4-0 mechanism.
I don't pretend to be a great modeller, so I won't try and advise you! But good luck with an excellent choice of a curious model. I would think that, as you can cover the wheels with the side-coverings, one could take liberties with the exact wheels you use, if you have difficulty. But do make it run slowley. I think they normally ran at a max of 20-30mph.
Of course, similar locos were used on many street tramways (streetcar lines) in Europe (possibly the US as well) before electrification became standard, but the ones used on "main line" branches like the Wisbech & Upwell and on some quaysides were very interesting and lasted into the 1950s.
I received my first "Thomas" series book in 1945 (aged 3) and then yearly for many years. They provided my with hours of enjoyment and they still do (age 60+!). Even tho' there are some odd un-prototype things that happen in some of the pictures, some of the stories are based on real incidents that happene on Britain's railways over the years!
Rev Audrey was a quaint chap, whom I was once privilaged to meet. He judged a "fancy dress" competition at my children's school. My elder son won first prize, dressed as a railway signal!!!
Eric Stuart
That is a REALLY DIFFERENT Y6
I'd imagine that almost any power truck could have that nice rectangular box wrapped around it. The side skirting would hide any sins of wheelbase or wheel diameter. Of course, a too-short wheelbase might cause some interesting see-saw movements while under way.
It's easy to see why Rev. Awdry was inspired to add Toby to his Thomas saga. Very interesting (and useful) little engine.
Chuck (who runs a bunch of teakettle tank engines on the TTT)
I found these plans on the internet the other day. They are from an article featured in a magazine called Railway Modeller. The plans were written by Rev. W. Awdry, and it describes how to build an OO scale Toby. This article is from 1961 so some of the matierials I'm not sure I can find. For instance Awdry says he used a Romford motor bogie to power the unit. Are these still around? And where can i buy one? Here is a link to the plans if anyone wants to read them. I know I'm going to have to improvise some things but I just want your opinion and get some help. Thanks. http://www.pegnsean.net/~railwayseries/RM196107.pdf