Hi All, I have a very nice Mainlines 0-6-0 J72 loco, and, want to use it under a body for 016.5 NG loco body and hope you lot could suggest any REASONABLE!!, bodies i might look at; i would as am able to, scratch build my own body work, but, would like if so, some basic sizes of what at the scale i am thinking of, the overall length, height and width, just to get an idea of the size i am working on, would design said body within 3DS max 2010.

So, hope you out their, can, give some assistance, the layout when i get started, will be in my garage, now no longer able to drive, its the best place to start in,  16ft x 9ft x 16 x 6ft as a return come fiddle yard……….


                            Many thanks and my best regards to all………..Tom…:);-):cool:

Hi Tom,

We're talking UK diesel, not steam? (Unless you are up for attaching connecting rods and cylinders). In real life there was never enough room between the wheels to accommodate the cranked big ends and valve gear for inside pistons. Just getting the valve gear in was often a challenge in the 2'0"-2'6" gauges. Try the "Narrow Gauge & Industrial Railway Modelling Review (which used to be published by Roy Link, now somebody else) for some inspiration, as well as "Narrow Lines", the magazine of the 7mm Gauge Association (which I would recommend joining if you are not already a member).

One model that can easily be done using sheet styrene and which has no compound curves (and which would keep the weight down for that Mainline chassis) is the Kerr-Stewart diesel. The dimensions of the 0-6-0 version were 13'9" long, 6' wide and a wheelbase of 5'2". Bodge the jack-shaft or just ignore it. First photo below is from the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum site.  Just search using the phrase "Kerr-Stuart Diesel". Check out the On30.com site as well for the On30 model by Marc Witten (second photo) showing what can be done with styrene sheet. Keykits did an O-16.5 model (now with Adrian Swain).

A Planet-type diesel would be another possibility. Hudswell, Clarke diesels are another possibility (see third photo, MSC is the Manchester Ship Canal, credit to Leedsengine.info).

If you have deepish pockets have a look at the Smallbrook Studio web-site (search "Smallbrook Studio") where there is a nice resin kit for an 0-6-0 diesel (Cardea). One possibility for a narrow gauge steam engine would be to simply remove the cab and replace with the cab front, back, sides and top from Smallbrook Studios. Or just cut them from styrene sheet. If you have even deeper pockets (probably now in the realms of "unreasonable") have a look at the Backwoods Miniatures web site. Worthwhile looking at just for ideas. Also check out cwrailways.com for some steam engine, diesel and steam tram bodies (and ideas). If you can find them, the Peco O-16.5 kits are good (white metal, use CAA glue).

Once you get into the realm of the "critters" and "Dunkirks" anything goes. Real-life narrow gauge locomotives tended to get "improved" a lot. On30 "bits" are a lot more plentiful than O-16.5, and easily adapted.

Nigel

P.S. Keep in perspective the chassis you are using - it's a golden oldie with (from memory) potential problems with the split axle design. Spending £15-20 on bits or styrene sheet to do a conversion to O-16.5 is fine, spending £75 on a 3D-printed  or brass etch body only to have the chassis fail is not (and I speak from bitter experience here). If you are heading towards O-16.5 modelling, invest in a good chassis with a modern can motor and gearbox. Bachmann 0-6-0's and 2-6-0's work well, but not the early split chassis designs with split axles. For diesels (especially BO-BO designs) go for American HO models as the wheels are a lot smaller than UK OO diesels and more in keeping with full size narrow gauge. Just keep away from Hornby 0-4-0 chassis', the wheels are far too big and many only have two speeds, stop and full speed (the motors at one time came from the Scaletrix cars).

 

Very interesting. I have recently bought an HO Electrogen 0 6 0 with outside cylinders from Kernow Models as a future O/16.5 NG freelance project.

Knowing I shall not have to struggle with connecting rods and guides etc is reassuring, although where I shall go from there I do not know without some details of loading gauge etc.

Currently £46, new and shiny!

Doug

Hi Doug,

Maramba, an 0-6-0 outside cylinder built by Manning Wardle in 1905 would be a strong candidate for an O-16.5 conversion. As would Abertillery No. 2.

The Electrotren chassis is a good candidate for just adding an O-scale narrow gauge cab. Job done!

Nigel

Thanks for that,  Nigel, I feel a Google coming on, but must resist starting anything new for a while…

Doug

Nigel,

Have you seen 'Dennis' of the Snailbeach railway?

(Click to enlarge)

Hi Nigel and Doug,

      Sorry for the delay in answering, just recovering from bad dose of Strep throat etc, yuckie!!…

      Have had an idea for converting to a tram sided style loco, which, is based on reading your combined thoughts and grateful to you both,  thanks

             Best regards as always……Tom..

PS…The layout will be in the non used garage; should be 16ft x 9ft x 16ft and a return of just 5 or 6ft  2ft wide to make way for the new single entrance door after removing the old garador up/over style no longer needed, i hope this will be big enough to make a decent layout, as, i want to put buildings and road vehicles……..?????!!!!!!!

Hi Tom,

Trams. See photo below for something a bit different. In real life this was standard gauge, with an 0-4-0, no reason why this couldn't be narrow gauge with an 0-6-0. Those skirts hide everything, good old late Victorian health and safety.



Manchester, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham Tramway, circa 1885-1890. One of Manning, Wardle's many and varied offerings. Did I mention that I'm a fan of anything from this locomotive works? Quite a few municipal authorities tried this for a few years (from memory, Birmingham Corporation tried a few different types out, including a steam road train for a few months). Basic firebox, boiler and chimney would be easy using the kit or bits from Smallbrook Studies (or styrene).

Nigel

Hi

I too have an odd 0-6-0 chassis. I think it is Bachmann. No name. Open frame motor certainly not Hornby. It has been converted to three rail using brass paper tags.

So far my card efforts have been mainly trams, although this was something I tried out on an old Hornby 0-4-0 chassis. anyhow your question has re-kindled my thoughts for a card body for the 0-6-0 chassis.

In reality I think most 0-6-0 narrow gauge had external frames and valve motions. However, becasue of street running some had their sides fully enclosed. In Narrow Gauge Railway Modelling by D A Boreham there is a picture of a Glynn Tramway loco with fully enclosed sides, ideal for hiding an 0-6-0 without outside frames or valve motion.

To make life simpler I would update this strategy for a diesel. Some later models were quite boxy making them easy to scratch build. Again they would normally have had outside frames so tramway valances would be the answer.

Anyhow I am going to see what i can knock up in card.

Thanks for nudge to get going.

David

Hi

'Very loosely' based on a diesel loco on the French metre gauge line the CF de baie de la Somme.

Chassis is an odd 060 I acquired very cheaply because it has been converted to run of three rail track using brass paper tags. Having acquired some three rail track I used it as a test machine. works quite well. The brass paper tags make very good pick ups.

Anyhow I also have an interest in quickie card bodies and thought I might have a go making a 016.5 diesel loco.

As could find no 060 narrow gauge locos with inside pistons and no diesel o6o for narrow gauge that did not have external side plates it seemed obvious that a hide the chassis tram loco was the best approach.

Find attached results of my efforts. 'Weathered' look came about through using some cheap paints to try and reduce the ends of the card. Sort of dried matt and as my efforts were not very precise it splattered rather and so i enhanced my errors to give the weathered quarry look.

I am not sure what anyone else thinks but I am quite pleased and think i will knock up some wagons to go with it. I will probably make another body and put it together a bit better. Adding a few exterior features should help.

Anyhow the chassis and two views of the body on the chassis. I have had it running up and down my 3' test track. I stuck a third rail down the centre using a a hot glue gun. Looks a bit rough but works and setting quickly easy to ensure it is in place.

Anyhow, my solution to the problem posed.

Have fun.

David

David,
          Belated thanks for the idea and pictures, i design in 3Dmax 2010 and build many card models, just completed Selly Oak BCT bus garage; have been under the weather of late so, that`s the reasons ;-), great read on your modelling………

                                              Very best regards,              Tom………..;-):cool: