[Blackcloud Railways]

Giles gave me a pointer towards a cheap and cheerful loco on the Gaugemaster website...

http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=PK57013&style=&strType=&Mcode=Piko+57013

I became the proud owner of a new shiny red diesel this afternoon.



Does this invalidate the warranty?



Quite probably, but you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.
_________________
Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.

[giles b]

That looks good, Bob, and arguably better with the cab raised for On30. Nice low mechanism, from what can be seen in the photos. Is it the same height below the bonnet?

I shall await your comments on performance in due course.

[Blackcloud Railways]

Thanks Giles, yes, it will make a nicely proportioned 7mm NG loco.

The metal block in the cab is the ballast weight, I'd not advise cutting it down to floor level because it covers the drive shaft over both axles. The motor is centrally mounted under the bonnet and a bit higher.

I intend to have the entrance to the cab off-set to one side of the rear. A two man crew on the new loco could be arranged with the second man/shunter standing in the doorway, as if chatting with the driver before alighting to work the couplers, and this will hide the ballast weight.

Performance wise, it is a smooth runner straight out of the box. A bit faster than the other diesels are on the same controller settings, so perhaps not suitable for working in tandem or as a banker, but surprisingly controllable down to reasonably low speeds. At the price there is nothing at all to complain about.

The one off-putting factor, for me, with this sort of mechanism is the potential failure of the drive bands. They're offered as spare parts but availability in the UK may be an issue. I'm not sure whether or not "loom bands" (as a readily available alternative) would stretch to do the job but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
_________________
Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.

[shortliner2001]

Bob, FWIW I think the last lot I got, came from T J (or is it J T?) Prantle in the states via the Bay of E, at a very sensible price.

[Blackcloud Railways]

Thanks Jack, hopefully some time before I'll need to think about replacements yet but good to know they are available.
_________________
Bob Hughes
Playing Trains

Once there were mountains on mountains and once there were sunbirds to soar with and once I could never be down.