Driving Truck
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NEW 10/2/2003
As work on Conway progresses thoughts obviously start to turn to running the loco. Here's where two immediate difficulties spring to mind. Firstly where to carry the coal. Traditionally on these narrow gauge locos coal was carried down the side of the boiler. However with Conway the reverser is fitted on the left side (as per the prototypes) and a lubricator is fitted on right hand side. Now obviously coal and oil aren't the greatest mix known to mankind, and as our coal isn't quite to scale trying to find space around the reverser for it.
So the logical step is to build a tender - ahhh shock horror - that's not in keeping with the loco. Well that's true but who says a tender has to look like a tender - why not make it look like a nice open wagon.
The second problem is how to drive the engine - hence what we need is a driving truck. Now here's the clever bit. How about having one design of wagon chassis - on which we can fit what ever body we want.
So the idea was formed. Now we're talking basic metal bashing here not rocket science. So we now have the concept of a relatively simple to build, 4 wheeled standard chassis. 4 Wheeled ? - yup - the reason being that it's much more in keeping with the look of the engine. Obviously here there is a slight compromise in vehicle stability but as the vehicles are meant for the drivers only i think we can live with it.
This led to the following design :-
So now you probably want to know those vital stats :-
|
Wheel Diameter |
2" |
| Wheelbase | 8 1/2" |
| Length | 14" |
| Width | 7" |
| Suspension | Coil Spring |
| Axleboxes | Plain - Fitted with oil pad and end cap |
Having completed the basic design the next stage is design the body - along with the seat. Watch this space ......