Cracker GTi

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:33 pm

no sooner had I started testing the last loco, had I drawn up a set of CAD drawings for my interpretation of Cracker.

I have always wanted to build one but don't really have time to machine up the cylinder bits and also wanted an engine a bit more in proportion to my other engines, so this is my interpretation of it.

Its basically roughly 10% bigger than a standard Cracker. This is to provide for a bigger boiler, and an upgraded Mamod loco cylinder which saves me the bother of having to machine that bit (as well as giving me more power in theory). Again the chassis is my preferred tab and slot construction, though I shall be silver soldering instead of welding on this one. The frames have been widened to accomodate 45mm gauge, as I after all, run on the wrong gauge and need gauge adjustable wheels

. I'm currently waiting on the laser cutter to supply the chassis bits.

MamodFan · Post by **MamodFan** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:38 pm

Rather like the idea! I made on on auto desk last year and me and my dad are hoping to build one each this year using two differant styles of bodywork!

Heres mine...

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:39 pm

Excellent, nice to see a 45mm gauge cracker!

taliesin001 · Post by **taliesin001** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:40 pm

I reckon that the spectacle plate on that loco needs to be a bit higher

MamodFan · Post by **MamodFan** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:44 pm

taliesin001:48695 wrote:I reckon that the spectacle plate on that loco needs to be a bit higher

Its just the large over sized chimney that i need to sort out!

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:50 pm

I'm liking the cab Callum!

I was thinking of doing something similar to mine. I'm not overly keen on the specified weather board.

MamodFan · Post by **MamodFan** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:58 pm

bessytractor:48698 wrote:I'm liking the cab Callum!

I was thinking of doing something similar to mine. I'm not overly keen on the specified weather board.

Thanks!

It should have a foor but due to it being done on a differant computer it diddnt come through on the network

Look forward to seeing your progress!

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 7:04 pm

I shall be making a couple after this one should anyone be interested. Professional certified boiler and all that bumph.

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 11:04 pm

frame bits are here. I did a trial assembly to make sure I hadn't messed up anywhere.

MamodFan · Post by **MamodFan** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:14 pm

bessytractor:49572 wrote:frame bits are here. I did a trial assembly to make sure I hadn't messed up anywhere.

Wow :l Looks like a good job! Where do you get the parts cut?

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 7:37 pm

Model Engineers Laser is the chap I use!

Pendo Pilot · Post by **Pendo Pilot** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:27 pm

That looks fantastic fella... Very impressed indeed.

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:32 pm

thanks

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 1:30 am

Hey Bessy,

I was looking at a French forum and found this picture of a "cracker":

I thought to myself, "Matt might like this".

Hope you do.

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 11:05 pm

that Keith, is more or less exactly what I have in mind!

thanks dude!

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 5:53 pm

todays progress. The chassis has had its bushes made and fitted, and the big gears all have hubs and setscrews added. I've ordered the cylinder and reverser (one of the cylinders will most likely end up going on Pauly's engine, as they come in pairs and I only need one!) and they will go on next.

MamodFan · Post by **MamodFan** » Tue Mar 15, 2011 6:09 pm

bessytractor:50047 wrote:todays progress. The chassis has had its bushes made and fitted, and the big gears all have hubs and setscrews added. I've ordered the cylinder and reverser (one of the cylinders will most likely end up going on Pauly's engine, as they come in pairs and I only need one!) and they will go on next.

LOOKING GOOD!

I have a question, what thickness metal have you used on the frames and chassi parts? My dad had a word with a guy at a lazer cutting place in manchester... I could be making one very soon!

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 12:01 am

3mm steel frames and bufferbeams, and 2mm footplate.

bessytractor · Post by **bessytractor** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 9:50 pm

latest update. Cylinder has arrived, its partner will be used on one of the other locos being built. The boiler is a Mamod one (shares the same dimensions!) to show rough position. The reversing valve is also in its rough position to show how I intend to mount it. It will be closer to the boiler than in the picture.

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 11:07 pm

I'm enjoying this thread. I'm also starting to appreciate these simple little engines.

I have a suggestion, though, why not make the reversing lever so it travels fore-and-aft rather than left-to-right?

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