The S&TR now has two of these brilliant machines to cover the bulk of its freight workings.
The S&TR found the operation of its first (2-4-2+2-4-2) Garratt so economical, that it placed an order for a larger more powerful unit. In true railway workshop manner it has taken 15 months to complete it.
More story further down after the pics.....
At Melaleuca on its first visit.
Inaugral steaming tests and its first revenue run up the 1:25
Ironbark is a favourite photographic spot. Here's a closeup of the first revenue run trying a start on the 1:25. Easy! The train of 11 wagons stretches way back into the 'cave' at the top centre of the right pic.
Both Garratts pose for the photographer at Melaleuca.
Superpower! Double Garratts pose. It will be a while before the S&TR has enough rollingstock to require this combination.
Construction Notes
The true story is that my original Bachmann 4-6-0, is now 8 years old and was having pickup problems. It seems that when the 'silver' (nickel?) coating wears off the wheels, there is nothing that can be done to get good pickup.
So with another 4-6-0 and it, I've created a 2-6-0 + 0-6-2 Garratt loosely based on the Victorian narrow gauge type, but with a 'curvy' front which I like. It is battery powered with a 6 Ah, 12V LiPo in the rear tank and the radio control and two sound systems in the boiler. Converting the 4-6-0 to a 2-6-0 means the cylinders had to be moved back and the drive rods shortened.
The cab is the original Bachmann with a styrene back wall. The 2 tanks are made from 1.5mm styrene sheet overlaid with 0.5mm sheet onto which the rivets are first embossed with a sharp point.
The boiler is made from 90mm dia plastic stormwater pipe. This is only about 1mm thick. (don't used the sewer pipe version which is much thicker.) I needed an 80mm boiler so I cut the pipe lengthways and then overlapped it to form the smaller dia. and screwed it together. It is not quite circular but not noticeable.
The dome is the top of a Rexona roll-on deodorant bottle and the funnel a piece of electrical conduit.
Radio control is Hobby King 2.4GHz. The 2.4 GHz Rx, ESC and reversing servo are mounted on a piece of styrene in the boiler. (lift off cab to access.) HobbyKing 6 channel, Version 2 Rx, 20A ESC and micro servo are used. The servo operates a DPDT switch for reversing.
I designed the two sound systems which are installed on a piece of veroboard, mounted in the boiler. Two 4 ohm speakers are installed in the front tank and loco cab. I purposefully made the two pulse shapers (ie chuff sounds) different. The front one has a 10msec attack and 70msec decay. The rear has 22msec attack and 22 msec decay. The front sounds very hard and the rear is less harsh.
Volume is controlled to be loud when accelerating and softer when slowing. There is a slight constant hiss when stopped. The two sound systems are driven from the wheel cams.
These are some notes on how the 4-6-0 was converted to 2-6-0.
I started with two, Bachmann Big Haulers. The bodies were discarded except for 1 cab.
The chassis height was reduced by cutting off the plastic (the gears were covered with masking tape to avoid fouling with cuttings).
Small U-shaped brackets were made to act as the pivot bearings. (the shiny bits in the pic)
Three base plates were cut from aluminium. I find it easier to work from a nice flat strong base!
The front and rear tanks are from styrene. I make a box from 1.5mm styrene then emboss the rivet detail on a 0.5mm piece which is glued onto the main box. The boiler is 90mm dia plastic drain pipe. I built up the Belpaire firebox from styrene and filed to shape. The smoke box is a wrap of 0.5mm styrene embossed as above. The Bachmann cab had a back fitted with a 2” speaker in the back wall. The front tank has the speaker facing downwards.
Because I was converting a 4-6-0 to a 2-6-0, the cylinders had to be moved backwards and the drive rod shortened. Nothing fancy here!
Spoked, plastic, 30mm dia wheels were mounted in an Alum bracket for the leading trucks. A thin piece of brass provides the pivot and downward force. The cylinders are attached in their new position.
There is no ashpan! I had mounted the on/off switch under the chassis where it should go before I realised I couldn’t get at the switch if I added an ashpan. So it must be an oil burner with coal in the tender????
Lots of bits and pieces from the Big Haulers completed the details.
