Garden Railway Forum

Hi,
In 1999 the Rhydypenau Light Railway 16mm scale portable model railway layout needed an electric locomotive than was reasonably powerful and had a long duration. It was to be used at the end of exhibtions while the steam locomotives cool down. So an electric '0' gauge locomotive based on a Dutch narrow gauge tram locomotive was built. The chassis was from I.P. Engineering and was powered by a battery pack from a model R/C car, this combination will run for about 4 hours. Photograph of tram locomotive unpainted and on test in 1999.

For the last 12 years having worn out several motors and gear boxes it had been painted plain Brunswick green not because I live in a GWR area but the tram copied was painted this colour. The original tram was lined out and as our Rhydypenderyn layout goes to the Netherlands for an exhibion at the end of this month the locomotive has been painted again and lined out, it being finished this morning.

If anyone in the group fancies visiting the Dutch Narrow Gauge Museum in Valkenburg to play trains pm me.

Regards Tony.

Unfortunately, I cannot come and play trains, but I guess you know that the RTM Museum down at Ouddorp is one-upping you and building one of those in 12" to the foot scale? For some reason or another those little box locos are one of my favourite designs - far more than most English Tram Engines.

I kept meaning to get to Ouddorp to look at the new line the preservationists have built there since getting slung off their old location. Unfortunately that is not going to be any time soon as I no longer pass through Amsterdam when going to/from Europe as Delta took over NWA who operated the NWA/KLM routes from the western USA. They still seem to have the post merger Blues which means they're cr@p right now!

Peter in AZ

Hi,

Video of the tram engine and a steam VB locomotive running on my test track.



Regards Tony.

Hi,

Being pleased with the addition of lining to the electric tram engine lining was added to a Cracker tram engine that was built in 2009. The lining tape use was yellow rather than gold. I think I prefer the gold.






Regards Tony.

Yes the gold pinstripping does look better. I haven't seen a Cracker steam tram before, - your one looks really nice.