Would you purchase a kit of a 'First Generation' BR diesel?

[keith Bristol]

Hi John

I am interested.

Keith

[jbs]

I would be interested in a diesel shunter for a proposed layout in my shed/workshop. This would be useful as something to be built fairly quickly  and would also fit in with the size of layout I have in mind. Previous suggestions for an 02 or 03-04 would be ideal for me, although I would not discount any of the shunters up to class 08 size.

While I could possibly justify/fit in a type 1 or 2, I think this may be a longer term project in my case as my choice would be unlikely to be a popular one - for some reason I am drawn to class 22 hydraulic. The diesel bogie project may be more appropriate in this case.

John

[John Candy]

Having looked back over the messages in this thread, the most common request appears to be for a small shunter.
Other suggestions range from a Derby type 2 BO-BO (TOPS 24/25), through BRCW types 2 & 3 (TOPS 26/27/33), EE and Derby/Sulzer Type 4 1CO-CO1 (TOPS 40,44,45,46), right up to the Deltics (both the EE prototype and TOPS 55).

The bodywork of any of these designs is most likely to be produced from a combination of etched brass, resin and whitemetal castings.
The cabs/ends of the types 2 to 4 classes are complex shapes and most conveniently produced by resin castings.
The main body bulk of those same types could be produced from etched brass, with added cast detail.

The small diesel shunters (e.g. Drewry 204HP class 04) would probably be better made in reverse (i.e. a folded brass cab with the 'bonnet' cast in resin).
The 'bonnet' could be from four basic castings (two sides, front and top) and this would avoid the cost of having a one-piece mould and castings (the cast parts could be 'flat cast' and produced at home). The 'platform' for these superstructure components could be of etched brass (incorporating the chequer plate pattern) folded around a thick steel plate to provide weight.
Many of the small whitemetal and resin castings could also be home-produced.

Of the body parts, the brass cab and cosmetic running plate overlay would probably be the most expensive single items (perhaps Mike can provide a 'ball park' figure).
I estimate the polyurethane 'bonnet' castings would work out at around 20 GB Pounds per kit.

Who is in favour of 'cutting our teeth' on a small shunter, to hone skills, before progressing to a type 2,3,4 or 5 (remember GRS are producing the EE type 1 BO-BO)?

What would be required?

1) At least five members willing to subscribe to the project and commit to purchasing the kit.
2) A volunteer to design the chassis and source the wheels, motor, gears and other mechanical parts.
3) Another to prepare the artwork for the brass body parts.
4) A 'pattern maker' for the cast parts.
5) Project co-ordinator/researcher/financial overseer (perhaps a split responsibility if sufficient interest).

Well, I have 'set the scene' and it is now for YOU the members to decide!

[Moonraker]

I am interested in buying a small diesel shunter kit but not at the same time as the steam venture. I would want to space them at least six months apart.

Also, two other thoughts.

Firstly, sound. As you may be aware my company (www.mylocosound.com) manufactures soundcards which retail in the UK at 39GBP. I would be happy to develop suitable firmware for the soundcard to emulate the particular loco chosen and to make it available as an option.

Secondly, is the loco to be track powered in which case it will be fitted with wheel pickups? I am guessing that most Gauge 3 railways do not have track power and would prefer battery power. If this is the case, then I could suggest a design for the battery power system using commercially available components for the battery, radio control and recharging circuit. I have done a lot of work in this field and would be happy to contribute.

Peter

[John Candy]

Peter,

Sound as an option is a good idea but I could not even guess how many might take up the option.
The engine is a Gardner 8L3 and was used in several of the BR classes of 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 diesel mechanicals, so the sound card would suit several types of shunter.

I suspect that battery power/radio control would be the choice of the majority but I think the chassis design should allow for track power as an option (the GRS kits are supplied with wheel pick-ups, so there may be quite a few using track power).

I am prepared to handle the resin 'bonnet' parts and some of the other cast parts (although I would not want the kit).

Regards,
John.

[John Candy]

This topic has gone very quiet over the past couple of months but I know that there are several parties interested in a diesel kit.

May I suggest that one (or more) of you starts a topic(s) on the new 'Start a Project : Join a Project' board and see whether a 'co-operative' can be started to move the project forward?

The modus operandi for the 'Start a Project...' scheme can be found at http://lakes-pages.com/gauge3.co.uk/G3Forum/index.php?topic=259.0

I am now 'locking' this thread so no further messages can be posted here.

John.