Garden Railway Forum

Hello folks,

Would it be relatively easy to re-gauge a Locomotion Railcar from 32mm to 45mm, or is a costly and complicated process?

You would have to rebuild the bogies as they are made to work on one gauge only.

Is the power bogie not adjustable?

Were these ever made for 45mm or were they an SM32 only affair?

It "might" not be that complicated. They are twin oscillating cylinder machine not dissimilar to mamod locos. From what I can remember they ate also single axle drive. If they are like the mamod locos then a change of axle and spacing the cylinder off the frames might do the trick. I will say It has been a long time since I have seen one in person so the above may be total rubbish.

DLRdan:98370 wrote:It "might" not be that complicated. They are twin oscillating cylinder machine not dissimilar to mamod locos. From what I can remember they ate also single axle drive. If they are like the mamod locos then a change of axle and spacing the cylinder off the frames might do the trick. I will say It has been a long time since I have seen one in person so the above may be total rubbish.

Yes, I think you are right Dan. Just the single driving axle up the front as per Mamod. The bogie at the back should be easy enough to change either the wheel sets or the bogie itself.

Take a look here:

http://www.mikes-steam-engines.co.uk/scratch_built.htm

You can see the underneath of the rail car. Not quite as easy to do as a Mamod as I expect the replacement parts aren't available, but not impossible!

SpudUk:98353 wrote:Is the power bogie not adjustable?

Were these ever made for 45mm or were they an SM32 only affair?

They most certainly were as I have one, they were all made to order in either gauge with a choice three paint styles, single colour and two, two tone. You could choose what ever combinations of colour you liked. Other options were the choice of end open or closed balcony, trailer or not and a whistle.

Unless you have a high level line they are quite hard work as the very small boiler needs constant topping-up.

I've wanted one ever since I was 16, either live steam or battery! Weird I know, but I just had a fascination with them!

SpudUk:98412 wrote:I've wanted one ever since I was 16, either live steam or battery! Weird I know, but I just had a fascination with them!

Mine was a chance bargain find on ebay a few years ago. At one time you used to see quite a lot of them at G Scale and 16mm club meets but now they seem to be getting a less common sight, most were the electric version though. I tend to think they either look quite attractive or ugly dependant on the colour scheme which can change the appearance of the crude bodywork considerably.

I know what you mean, hard to find these days. Think I might have found a 32mm one, hence the re-gauging questions. It's definitely on my must have life

They are quite basic engines so I'm sure it is possible although you may have to strip down quite a lot of the model to do it.

If you are the bidder on the set on ebay at the moment as I've been watching that for a few days, I'm sure some of the 16mm nuts have been too so expect some silly last minute bidding as seems to have happened with some other items recently.

I didn't know there was a set on ebay! Got a link?

Ah, think I've just found it!

The set on ebay seems to have all the optional extras such as two tone paint, whistle and Enots top-up valve as well as matching trailer. Mine is just a single unit with the only options being the Enots system and two tone paint.

Could I get a link to this auction, Od certainly be very interested in watching this one unfold.

Here is the underside of a 32mm Locomotion Railcar with the calliper set to 41.5mm.

Rear bogie no problem, wheels are a tight friction fit so can be re-gauged on the axles.



Front drive axle different problem. From what I can measure there would not be enough space between the piston rod big ends to allow 45mm wheels to be fitted so thicker cylinder back plates would be needed. From what I can see the steam/exhaust pipes between the chassis frames are a press fit into the back plates with 'O' ring seals, but not confirmed.



David Hippey of HGLW is experienced with servicing these railcars.

Chris Cairns.

It must be possible if 45mm versions do exist!

pauly:98428 wrote:Could I get a link to this auction, Od certainly be very interested in watching this one unfold.

Here you go Pauly: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16mm-steam-tr ... 258bb0591d

I will have to dig out my 45mm version and take a photo.