I am looking for a self powered drive unit. I am looking to re-power a diesel locomotive that has a 3 axil truck on it. One of the axils is spaced out farther than the rest. I checked North West Shortline and the stanton drive does not offer the 3 axil, with one offset axil, that I can see. Does anyone know of any manufacturer that makes powered trucks that I can check with please?
Bill
You could possibly get a two axle drive truck that has the same overall wheelbase of the three axle. And then build a dummy wheel in the center. As long as it bears no real weight, it wouldn't detract from performance.
Not a wonderful solution, but a solution.
Ed
Hello all,
Have you considered using the stanton drive and side frames from the old trucks?
The stanton drives come in many axle spacing options (wheelbases).
What I'm suggesting is to use an appropriate sized wheelbase stanton drive and mount the side frames, with the addition of the asymmetrical single axle.
This would give you an AA1 (or 1AA depending on the direction) three axle truck with two powered axles.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
7j43k...then build a dummy wheel in the center.
If you were going this route the center dummy wheels should be flangeless.
This would help the entire truck track through turnouts easier.
I don't know how thick the sides of the stanton drives are to drill journals for actual wheels that would be able to track along the rails.
The current maximum wheelbase for the Stanton is 10'.
But there is this quote from the catalog:
"On the heels of these will be other versions of the Stanton drive, including a 13'-3" wheelbase version to repower the Athearn Hustler, as well as a three axle unit in a wide variety of wheelbases."
One could put the project down and wait for NWSL to catch up. And. One could call up and inquire on the matter.
These folks are showing a 3 axle drive:
http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com/BullAnt%20Intro.htm
and should certainly be check out. Because there is a spur gear tower, I expect the drive is noisy. But perhaps my expection is incorrect.
I think of one self powered 3 wheel truck and I can't help but visualize the rest of the consist.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I am still trying to remember if I ever saw a HO scale diesel with this arraignment.
I have done some searching but found this about prototypes.
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/741/t/196686.aspx
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.
richg1998...if I ever saw a HO scale diesel with this arraignment.
That's the beauty of bashing!
I have seen this asymmetrical C-C arrangement in prototypes; not to be confused with an A1A truck.
I am searching to find supporting photos. No luck so far.
The prototypical traction units are asymmetrically spaced to fit the additional traction motor.
One set of wheels is moved farther from the others to allow the third traction motor space in the trucks.
The ones I have seen are typically two evenly space axles with the third (outboard, for the sake of discussion) is spaced further from the center axle to account for this.
What I am suggesting to the OP is use possibly the shortest wheelbase stanton drive to "power" the inner-most and center axles and use the original side frames to "space" the third dummy axle to match the prototype.
This would in effect make an AA1 three axle truck.
The 3 axle trucks that pop into my mind that were majorly assymtrical were the Alcos placed under the various RSD's. Also, there were the early trucks under the U-boats. There were other trucks that also had assymetrical axle spacing, but didn't show it much, if at all.
7j43kThe 3 axle trucks that pop into my mind that were majorly assymtrical were the Alcos placed under the various RSD's. Also, there were the early trucks under the U-boats. There were other trucks that also had assymetrical axle spacing...
YES!
Thank you!!
Post Script:In this photo of a RSD5- -http://www.railpictures.net/photo/523456/- -if you look closely at the "can opener" side frames you can see the difference in the lengths. As I suggested, use the stanton drive on the inboard and the use the old side frames to create the leading (out board) wheel set.
7j43kThese folks are showing a 3 axle drive: http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com/BullAnt%20Intro.htm and should certainly be check out. Because there is a spur gear tower, I expect the drive is noisy. But perhaps my expection is incorrect.
Hollywood Foundry can supply a three axle truck with different spacings between the axles.
I have used Geoff's drive systems and I am very happy with them and with his service. I would suggest sending him a note to see what he suggests in terms of the various choices like gear ratios and motor sizes.
As far as gear noise, yes, they make some noise. However, the noise is barely noticeable when the sound is set at a decent level. It doesn't have to be full volume to hide the gear noise. The gear noise will also be reduced as the gears wear in.
One thing to note is that the Hollywood Foundry drives are taller than the Stanton drives. That will affect the construction of the frame and the amount of space available inside the cab for detailing.
Go to this thread if you want to see the drives in action. Scroll down a ways:
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/264330.aspx
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterAs far as gear noise, yes, they make some noise. However, the noise is barely noticeable when the sound is set at a decent level. It doesn't have to be full volume to hide the gear noise. The gear noise will also be reduced as the gears wear in.
They offer all different gear ratios as belt drives also.Regards, Volker