A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

A place for discussing battery-electric locomotives, whether they're diesel, steam or even electric outline
Post Reply
User avatar
gregh
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 566
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:44 am
Location: Sydney, Australia
Contact:

A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by gregh » Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:04 am

This is a loco build from a few years back.

Despite not being a diesel fan, I decided I would build a ‘larger’ one as they are much easier than a steam loco. I don’t build exact models but like to choose bits from different prototypes. After perusing many photos, I decided I wanted a two hood type, with a small low hood at the front, and a cab that stood higher than the main hood.

I used an Aristo motor block ART29351 from wholesaletrains.com . This is the one used in their L’il Critter. I had another spare set of bogie side frames left over from a previous build. (Aristocraft is no longer a great source of motor blocks)

Planning
My usual method of drawing the plans is to take a side-on pic of the bogie and obtain either a pic or plans of the loco. I then crop the loco pic below the running board and paste both in to LibreOffice Writer. If I adjust the screen “%” (“zoom”) I can draw it to full or half size for an A4 paper size.
19 dwg.GIF
19 dwg.GIF (31.76 KiB) Viewed 7029 times
I shortened the drawing to suit the wheelbase and the total length I wanted. I’ve decided 500mm is the absolute max length for any vehicle on my line, so this one is 480mm.
Then I used Libre Office Draw to outline around the pic to get a simple, full-size drawing, like this. Allows me to decide on colour scheme and lettering style too.
19 sketch.JPG
19 sketch.JPG (43.68 KiB) Viewed 7029 times


Now the hardest part for me - how to fit everything in and be able to access it, with the minimum number of plugs and sockets. This planning usually takes more time than building it !
I had bought the 2.4 GHz speed controller and receiver, and a 3000 mAh LiPo battery, and the sound card, so I had their sizes. I made sure the hood was wide and high enough to fit them in.


Getting started
Finally I actually started work. First I built the dummy bogie from bits of 25x25mm aluminium angle, some wood and used old plastic Bachmann wheels. They are 3mm smaller diameter than the powered wheels, but who’s going to notice when the side frames are the same level. This shows the top and undersides. The yellow is a bit of scrap steel for weight.
dummybogietwin.JPG
dummybogietwin.JPG (141.84 KiB) Viewed 7029 times

The lugs on top of the bogies were ground off to create a flat bearing for the baseplate to swivel.
Then I cut the baseplate from 1.5mm styrene and glued 10x3mm aluminium bar underneath for strength.
underside.JPG
underside.JPG (49.16 KiB) Viewed 7029 times

Then I started making all the body pieces, from 1.5mm styrene. It’s amazing how many bits there are. This pics shows most except the cab roof. I’ve learnt from experience that it’s best to put all the detail on BEFORE you assemble it ! (Did I really say that a diesel was easier to build than a steamie?)
someparts.JPG
someparts.JPG (133.51 KiB) Viewed 7029 times

I used 0.5mm clear acrylic for windows and build up a sort of frame inside the cab so the acrylic slides in from the top. This allows the windows to be fitted after painting. This pic gives the idea.
windowframe.JPG
windowframe.JPG (78.44 KiB) Viewed 7029 times
Here’s the top of the long hood and one of the sides.
hoodtop.JPG
hoodtop.JPG (32.61 KiB) Viewed 7029 times
side.JPG
side.JPG (31.14 KiB) Viewed 7029 times
All the hood and cab sides glue/screw onto the base. All electronics fits in the long hood so all wiring to motor, battery, switch, sound card, charge points, and lights is fixed in place. The only plug/socket is to the speaker which is mounted on the hood roof which is held in place by small magnets. The 2" dia speaker mounts under the circular 'radiator' grill.

to be continued......
Last edited by gregh on Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5033
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by philipy » Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:45 am

I like it Greg.
A well illustrated "This is how I...." is my favourite type of thread and this carries just enough detail and gives plenty of food for thought. Looking forward to future installments. :)
Philip

User avatar
BertieB
Fireman
Fireman
Posts: 363
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 12:13 am
Location: London
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by BertieB » Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:57 am

Terrific. Love the way you’ve organised your build and the crisp, precise subassemblies - with incorporated grills, glazing and stuff. Neat. Have you toyed with it spewing out plumes of synchronised, filthy black exhaust too? (I’ve been seduced by the videos on the forum demonstrating this and have been pondering prototypes to exploit it - this is perfect)

User avatar
Peter Butler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 5219
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
Location: West Wales

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Peter Butler » Mon Aug 03, 2020 12:15 pm

Superb build Greg, love the detail and construction method, good solid structure which will look and handle well.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by ge_rik » Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:14 pm

I like the idea of making the window glass removable. I must try that on my next build. Actually, my next build is the boneworks - but the idea should work equally well on buildings!

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
-steves-
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2412
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:50 pm
Location: Cambridge & Peterborough

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by -steves- » Tue Aug 04, 2020 7:38 pm

Totally agree with Rik on this one as above, brilliant idea to have a removable window, certainly something I shall be doing in some future builds :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
The buck stops here .......

Ditton Meadow Light Railway (DMLR)
Member of Peterborough and District Association
http://peterborough.16mm.org.uk/

User avatar
Lonsdaler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1226
Joined: Tue May 20, 2014 9:50 am
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Lonsdaler » Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:55 pm

A lovely model there Greg. Can I ask what method you used to cut the windows and other openings in your model? I have to say I have varied results doing such things, and it's quite demoralising having to start again when I make an inevitable slip of the knife :oops: - especially when it happens on the last cut! :roll:
Phil

Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds

My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077

User avatar
gregh
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 566
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:44 am
Location: Sydney, Australia
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by gregh » Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:51 am

Lonsdaler wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:55 pm A lovely model there Greg. Can I ask what method you used to cut the windows and other openings in your model? I have to say I have varied results doing such things, and it's quite demoralising having to start again when I make an inevitable slip of the knife :oops: - especially when it happens on the last cut! :roll:
Rule1 is always cut on the backside, so slips don't show. And always cut to the inside of the window.
A lot of my models have a 'inner box' made from 1.5mm styrene covered by an outer 0.5mm styrene 'skin' with any rivets etc on it. So any slip cuts are covered up.
When cutting windows in thicker styrene (>1mm), I drill holes inside each corner of the window, then cut diagonally across between the corners, then finally around the 4 sides. That allows me to break out the 4 triangles easily. Then a square file in the corners.
And I admit - I hate doing them!
When making passenger carriages with lots of windows, I make the outer sides from 0.5mm styrene which is much easier to cut the windows out of, and then build up the 'insides' of the windows with smaller, thicker styrene pieces for strength. Then a final inner 0.5mm to cover it all up. (then the slide in window holders.)
Sorry if it's hard to understand, but I don't have any pics.
ge_rik wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 1:14 pm I like the idea of making the window glass removable. I must try that on my next build. Actually, my next build is the boneworks - but the idea should work equally well on buildings!
Rik
I can't remember where I got the idea from, but it's how I have always done my windows after my first disaster trying to use superglue.
BertieB wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 10:57 am ....Have you toyed with it spewing out plumes of synchronised, filthy black exhaust too? (I’ve been seduced by the videos on the forum demonstrating this and have been pondering prototypes to exploit it - this is perfect)
Not likely! SaTR maintains their diesels to better standard than that. :D
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm

User avatar
Peter Butler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 5219
Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
Location: West Wales

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:28 am

I certainly can't claim to have invented the idea of removable glazing, but I have always used it for various reasons, firstly, as Greg says, superglue is a nightmare to use as it gets on the glazing and shows marks, no matter how careful you think you have been, it can also 'fog' and cause further damage.
Also, I find it a better way to spray paint models as card can be slid in to the grooves to prevent paint entering the carriage whilst spraying the outside of the model.
The most important thing is that the glazing will not be pushed into the model if pressure is applied to the windows by rough handling. This can be a major issue if roof sections are permanently fixed so getting to the inside becomes almost impossible without causing more damage.......
IMG_7593.JPG
IMG_7593.JPG (125.67 KiB) Viewed 6815 times
IMG_7598.JPG
IMG_7598.JPG (108.61 KiB) Viewed 6815 times
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?

User avatar
gregh
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 566
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:44 am
Location: Sydney, Australia
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by gregh » Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:43 am

Using card as a 'mask' while painting is a great idea. :thumbup:
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Andrew » Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:01 pm

Peter Butler wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:28 am I certainly can't claim to have invented the idea of removable glazing, but I have always used it for various reasons, firstly, as Greg says, superglue is a nightmare to use as it gets on the glazing and shows marks, no matter how careful you think you have been, it can also 'fog' and cause further damage.
Also, I find it a better way to spray paint models as card can be slid in to the grooves to prevent paint entering the carriage whilst spraying the outside of the model.
The most important thing is that the glazing will not be pushed into the model if pressure is applied to the windows by rough handling. This can be a major issue if roof sections are permanently fixed so getting to the inside becomes almost impossible without causing more damage.......
I've found all of that out the hard way over the years, and my carriage builds now all feature removable glazing... That reminds me, I must give my Gladsone Car some attention - I can currently only run it one way round because one of the windows is pushed in, exactly as Peter describes!

Lovely loco Greg, it's going to look fantastic when it's finished, thanks for the pics and descriptions...

Andrew.

User avatar
gregh
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 566
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:44 am
Location: Sydney, Australia
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by gregh » Thu Aug 06, 2020 11:55 pm

continuing the build...

This time, I decided to paint and line all the parts before glueing it all together. It seemed to be easier to work with.
paintedparts.JPG
paintedparts.JPG (102.15 KiB) Viewed 6758 times

I managed to glue it all up without ruining any paintwork.
I used 2.4 GHz radio control (Hobbyking) with a 3000mAh Li-Po battery and a Talking Electronics diesel sound kit. In this pic, the battery is under the electronics at left and sound board on right. I built my own Picaxe interfacing circuits to allow the diesels revs to speed up before the loco speed.
The same picaxe controls the driver rotation too – see later.
electronics.JPG
electronics.JPG (94.37 KiB) Viewed 6758 times

Note that I do not use a charging socket – just two ‘pins’ that I clip onto with alligator clips. Here the pins are disguised as handles.
loco19charge.JPG
loco19charge.JPG (21.01 KiB) Viewed 6758 times
That also means I don’t use a 2-way switch to disconnect the electronics from the battery when charging. I have never seen the point of that idea.

I got a bit carried away and decided to mount the driver on a servo so he rotates to face the direction of travel! This was a bit complicated as a servo only turns through 90 degrees whereas I need 180 degrees. So the servo arm turns 90 degrees and the driver’s seat is mounted on the arm and is turned through another 90 degs by a ‘fork’ on the floor of the cab. See video later.
I also had to perform a sex change operation on the driver as I only had some seated female figures and this is the 1950s so no women drivers!
incab.JPG
incab.JPG (89.8 KiB) Viewed 6758 times

sexchangedriver.JPG
sexchangedriver.JPG (87.56 KiB) Viewed 6758 times

And a video of the servo moving the driver from above.



The lettering and lining is adhesive vinyl made by Gscale Graphics in USA.
The large numbers on the cab are wooden, from a craft shop.


And here’s the finished product:
finished1.JPG
finished1.JPG (149.14 KiB) Viewed 6758 times
finished2.JPG
finished2.JPG (196.08 KiB) Viewed 6758 times
The only problem is the light weight of LiPo batteries compared to NiMH. I had to add a lot of lead!


Here’s a link to a short video on Youtube:
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm

User avatar
Tom85
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 81
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 10:14 am
Location: Wiltshire

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Tom85 » Fri Aug 07, 2020 8:53 am

Loving the look of this - good one! Excellent idea of using the servo to 'reverse' the driver. And I may well use some of your plasticard techniques (windows) on my next build. Thanks for sharing

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5033
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by philipy » Fri Aug 07, 2020 2:18 pm

Love that driver mech, absolutely superb. The loco isn't bad either! :lol: :lol:
Philip

User avatar
Old Man Aaron
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 795
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:08 am
Location: Sunshine Coast QLD, Australia

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Old Man Aaron » Thu Aug 13, 2020 5:25 am

Very well organised write-up and build, Greg! You come up with some excellent ideas, too.

Regards,
Aaron
Regards,
Aaron - Scum Class Works

User avatar
gregh
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 566
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:44 am
Location: Sydney, Australia
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by gregh » Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:02 am

Old Man Aaron wrote: Thu Aug 13, 2020 5:25 am Very well organised write-up and build, Greg! You come up with some excellent ideas, too.

Regards,
Aaron
Thanks Aaron. Someday we'll be able to visit Queensland and maybe get together. (Me bruvver lives in Buderim)
Greg from downunder.
The Sandstone & Termite's website: https://members.optusnet.com.au/satr/satr.htm

User avatar
Lonsdaler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1226
Joined: Tue May 20, 2014 9:50 am
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Lonsdaler » Fri Aug 14, 2020 4:21 pm

gregh wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 9:51 am
Rule1 is always cut on the backside, so slips don't show. And always cut to the inside of the window.
A lot of my models have a 'inner box' made from 1.5mm styrene covered by an outer 0.5mm styrene 'skin' with any rivets etc on it. So any slip cuts are covered up.
When cutting windows in thicker styrene (>1mm), I drill holes inside each corner of the window, then cut diagonally across between the corners, then finally around the 4 sides. That allows me to break out the 4 triangles easily. Then a square file in the corners.
And I admit - I hate doing them!
When making passenger carriages with lots of windows, I make the outer sides from 0.5mm styrene which is much easier to cut the windows out of, and then build up the 'insides' of the windows with smaller, thicker styrene pieces for strength. Then a final inner 0.5mm to cover it all up. (then the slide in window holders.)
Sorry if it's hard to understand, but I don't have any pics.
Greg,
Apologies for taking so long to come back to this :oops:
Thanks for posting such a detailed reply - it all seems obvious as you detail it there - especially cutting from the 'inside out', and using thin styrene skin has given me an idea to finally tackle a part built loco I purchased, where the previous modeller was even more slapdash than me - it has sat neglected because I couldn't face cutting new openings in 1-2mm styrene! I shall save this useful advice to my modelling hints and tips folder - thank you. :thumbup:
Phil

Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds

My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077

User avatar
Lonsdaler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1226
Joined: Tue May 20, 2014 9:50 am
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Lonsdaler » Fri Aug 14, 2020 4:28 pm

And now I've finished the rest of the thread - excellent. The 'reversing' driver is ingenious, and aslo the recharging 'pins' - such a simple idea. Thanks so much for sharing, there's lots of food for thought there.
Phil

Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds

My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Andrew » Sat Aug 15, 2020 7:41 pm

Just catching up with this thread - what a great looking loco, well done! Love the livery too...

Thanks for the detailed write up,

Andrew.

User avatar
Old Man Aaron
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 795
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:08 am
Location: Sunshine Coast QLD, Australia

Re: A scratchbuilt "big" diesel

Post by Old Man Aaron » Sun Aug 16, 2020 3:06 am

gregh wrote: Fri Aug 14, 2020 10:02 am Thanks Aaron. Someday we'll be able to visit Queensland and maybe get together. (Me bruvver lives in Buderim)
Aye, would be good to meet you in person. Funny you say that, I'm all of five minutes from Buderim.
Regards,
Aaron - Scum Class Works

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests