Alternative Power
Alternative Power
Not sure where to post this but still.
Just wondering if anyone has tried any different method for powering locos other than steam or battery. For example solar or wind up.
Was pondering with the idea of attaching solar cells to a lollypop tram but not sure it would get enough current.
Just wondering if anyone has tried any different method for powering locos other than steam or battery. For example solar or wind up.
Was pondering with the idea of attaching solar cells to a lollypop tram but not sure it would get enough current.
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Well i've got a good alternative, a hot air engine. It uses cylinders as per a steam engine but insted of steam, hot air is used to push the piston. The air is heated by a little gas torch and the expansion of the air pushes the piston, and this starts the engine moving, as part of the process 2 smaller cylinders push cool air into the heating cylinders.
I've probebly not explained it well, a scratchbuilt 45mm guage version can be seen on one of the episodes of The Garden railway, the TV series that featured on one of the discovery channels (i've got the whole series on DVD)
I've probebly not explained it well, a scratchbuilt 45mm guage version can be seen on one of the episodes of The Garden railway, the TV series that featured on one of the discovery channels (i've got the whole series on DVD)
"What the hell is that?"
"It's a model icebreaker sir."
"It's a bit big isn't it?"
"It's a full scale model sir....."
"It's a model icebreaker sir."
"It's a bit big isn't it?"
"It's a full scale model sir....."
I may experiment with a hot air engined loco at some stage...a man is donating me a reversible hot air engine so I shall see how that works and have a go at my own.
Solar power is also another source of power i'd like to have a go at.
Another form the WLR will be using is water...as the WLR will be based on a 18th-early 19th century industrial railway there will be all manner of inclined planes and disused tramways... wouldn't it be great to have a water wheel driven inclined plane!
Solar power is also another source of power i'd like to have a go at.
Another form the WLR will be using is water...as the WLR will be based on a 18th-early 19th century industrial railway there will be all manner of inclined planes and disused tramways... wouldn't it be great to have a water wheel driven inclined plane!
laalratty wrote:Well i've got a good alternative, a hot air engine. It uses cylinders as per a steam engine but insted of steam, hot air is used to push the piston. The air is heated by a little gas torch and the expansion of the air pushes the piston, and this starts the engine moving, as part of the process 2 smaller cylinders push cool air into the heating cylinders.
I've probebly not explained it well, a scratchbuilt 45mm guage version can be seen on one of the episodes of The Garden railway, the TV series that featured on one of the discovery channels (i've got the whole series on DVD)
I almost bought that loco last year when it turned up on ebay.
A steam propelled life-style.
Another thing I saw....you get a little light 0-4-0 chassis. Stick a plastic drinks bottle on top with electric motor and a fan stuck in the front. Decorate with suitable areoplane decorations and give it a witty name such as Spritefiremhlr wrote:I've seen it done. Tried it once too. AIR POWER.
Those little propellor thingys with the air canister that powers a turbine to turn the prop. Strap it to a flat wagon, get a long level or downhill straight section of track and wala!
somebody has seen Chris Mackenzies creation havn't they , the Tizer Moth (saw it running on the Timpdon lake railway at the Lytham show a few weeks ago, unfortunatly I didn't take a pic cos I didn't take my camera)steamyjim wrote:Another thing I saw....you get a little light 0-4-0 chassis. Stick a plastic drinks bottle on top with electric motor and a fan stuck in the front. Decorate with suitable areoplane decorations and give it a witty name such as Spritefiremhlr wrote:I've seen it done. Tried it once too. AIR POWER.
Those little propellor thingys with the air canister that powers a turbine to turn the prop. Strap it to a flat wagon, get a long level or downhill straight section of track and wala!
"What the hell is that?"
"It's a model icebreaker sir."
"It's a bit big isn't it?"
"It's a full scale model sir....."
"It's a model icebreaker sir."
"It's a bit big isn't it?"
"It's a full scale model sir....."
Yup, I was talking to him about it at Warley...it was unamed at the time. I came up with Spritefire...but I have to say Tizer Moth is betterlaalratty wrote:somebody has seen Chris Mackenzies creation havn't they , the Tizer Moth (saw it running on the Timpdon lake railway at the Lytham show a few weeks ago, unfortunatly I didn't take a pic cos I didn't take my camera)
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http://www.timpdon.co.uk/timpdon/tlr/lo ... ?x=65&y=16
5 locos up from the bottom.
5 locos up from the bottom.
Have you seen this site?Aizoon wrote:I've promised myself that I will build a clockwork loco, but the Round Tuit has been delayed by horrendous weather conditions or, as we say in English, bad weather.
http://ca.geocities.com/clockworkpage@rogers.com/
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Facinating! Not this Rogers, by the wayChris wrote:Have you seen this site?
http://ca.geocities.com/clockworkpage@rogers.com/
- ferrysteam
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Solar power
I bought a cheap solar powered educational toy which has lead to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmT8yMp ... ature=plcp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmT8yMp ... ature=plcp
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Re: Solar power
Nice one sunshine!Nobel200:69611 wrote:I bought a cheap solar powered educational toy which has lead to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfmT8yMp ... ature=plcp
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