Cambrian chassis

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:33 pm

I had another dull and boring day in work today so I started working out plans for Motor Rail Loco I want to build. (for those who are interested it is the six wheel shunter that they built as a stock item in 1930 and were never able to sell.) I had a idea that the Cambrian Chassis Kit would fit it and save me the bother of cutting one from brass.
I have an idea that they are a little on the flimsy side but I might be thinking of something else.
Does anybody use them and what do they think of them?

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:04 pm

They ARE a little flimsy................................

Vapouriser · Post by **Vapouriser** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:05 pm

I have Cambrian detailing bits everywhere. Very useful and if you ever succumb to a bag of rivet heads - great fun(?). I have a chassis which is ok but for me a bit soft for outdoor use. Also building it using fat fingers and a short temper wasn't great! IP engineering and the famous Highland firm- HOuston Gate Licomotive Works --with an 'O'. Make easy to build chassis IP can be 4 wd with sprockets and chain. Houston gate 4 wd is with hefty pulley wheels on the axle and a rubber band. Dont worry its a 'proper' rubber band. Strong stuff. Incidentally ,I managed to build one forgetting to put the rubber band on!! Well I would. A mobile mechanic I once knew fitted a new seal to my diesel fuel filter on my narrowboat using cut to size rubber O ring material and superglued it. It's been there 8 years. No problem so if you forget to fit it ,dont worry!

Enginehouse · Post by **Enginehouse** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:18 pm

I have a pair of these chassis kits here and they are extremely flimsy. I would only use them for a very small and very light loco indeed such as a very small tug or railcar used on very good trackwork -possibly indoors. I have used the side of one chassis as a simple drill jig to build a similar one made out of brass, a much better bet, took an hour to drill and cut, but still very limited if used with the small motors provided by Cambrian. As always "you pays your money and makes your choice"

Cheers.

Enginehouse · Post by **Enginehouse** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:39 pm

Vapouriser:93119 wrote: A mobile mechanic I once knew fitted a new seal to my diesel fuel filter on my narrowboat using cut to size rubber O ring material and superglued it. It's been there 8 years. No problem so if you forget to fit it ,dont worry!

Not thought of using superglue. I use a hot soldering iron on the green and red belting on various styles of chassis and have not broken one yet. Currently experimenting with smaller pulleys (Rapid Electronics) to provide greater belt height clearance with the Houston Gate style chassis. This after visiting a friends garden railway with large chunky slate ballast some of which lay between the rails and fouled the belt and stalled the loco few times. Just about to order another HG chassis and some other bits of David's rolling stock.

Vapouriser · Post by **Vapouriser** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 11:58 pm

Not thought of soldering iron. Melting the ends together sounds to me better!

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:03 am

hmmm, perhaps I will use a brass chassis instead as this loco is a bit hefty for one of motor rail's offerings.
Interestingly although they are mainly known for the simplex in various guises, they did build many other types of smallish loco and various tram type items including some real oddities. Quite alot for Indian lines and other overseas railways.

Big Al · Post by **Big Al** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 12:30 pm

I think NASA developed super glue for the purpose of joining "O" ring material to make "O" rings I have made many for loads of applications using this method , foot pump,trolley jack, motor cycle and car engine seals.

Enginehouse · Post by **Enginehouse** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 3:40 pm

Vapouriser:93128 wrote:Not thought of soldering iron. Melting the ends together sounds to me better!

When Michael (Busted Bricks) designed the first little loco in the range he also designed a neat jig for heat joining the belting material. I understand however that he did not pass the design on to David (Houston Loco Wks) who now produces all of the kits. David does however stock the thicker belting and of course MFA Como provide some excellent grub screw locked aluminium pulleys for those who would like to take this type of drive to higher level or build a considerably more powerful loco chassis.

Interesting experiment to take a small lop of Delrin chain and tension test it against a properly joined similar length of the green belt.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 5:00 pm

While not railway related I can vouch for the efficacy of superglue having had various parts of my anatomy (including a large cut to the bonce) repaired with it!
.

Crackingjob · Post by **Crackingjob** » Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:48 pm

Cambrian parts are great fun and cheap.

The chassis is flimsy and as said other than a light engine (ideal for small diesel as the noise is great no need for sound card)

Personally beef it up with another layer or use as a template for brass and use the parts that came with the kit to join it together..the stays are metal and ideal for joining the two halves of the chassis together.

cambrian have a fantastic range of those little bits we all need.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:56 pm

Thanks everyone.
I think I will get a Cambrian unit to try out, If it is too flimsy then I am sure it can be used to power some small, whimsical critter.
I have been looking at their various bits and bobs and I think a few early Xmas pressies to oneself are required.

Dave, did you ever get that mamod powered thing going again?

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