Tram engine

Titan · Tram engine

Well it aint pretty (yet) and it does not work (yet), but here are a couple of pictures to show the general idea:

Very much a work in progress, the elastic bands will of course be replaced by mamod drive bands when the layout of pulleys/shafts etc is finalised.

Unfortunately the minor at the moment does not have enough guts to turn the wheels, let alone propel itself. I think that there are several reasons for it:

1. I think the elastic bands are inefficient and sapping power, along with creating additional friction on the bearings.
2. The gearing is not quite right, overall at present it works out at about 6:1, which if the minor could power it would result in speeds only slightly slower than an SL1. I will need to fit a bigger pulley to the layshaft to change the overall gearing to about 8:1
3. Despite getting it running, the minor is still a bit old and worn, and when under load this increases steam blow by, which it cannot afford to loose!

So I may yet do the minor up and sell it on, and replace it with a less worn version, especially as I would like to get some milage out of it and starting with a worn engine might not be the best idea...

Sandman

You know Titan, it's good to see a bit of inventiveness about what we do with our steam engines.

I think you've a topper of an idea there and I'm dying to see it working. I bet there are a few of us with bits and pieces we could have a lot of fun with if we really thought about it.

I think the idea of changing the engine might be a good one as well. You'll want plenty of power there I would imagine.

Well done mate.

Griffin

Great stuff, a well thought out layout you have there, as already said a newer engine would be a good idea. maybe a Minor 2 ?

Wallace

Yeah nice stuff there.
I was thinking a Minor 2 perhaps, or maybe a heavier flywheel may help?

Titan

Is a minor 2 the same size as a minor 1? If it is bigger it will need to have a vapourising burner as there would be no room for the tank of a wick burner, as is even the minor I have got is a bit of a tight squeeze.

If someone with a minor 2 could give me the width and length of the firebox, I could see if it might fit.

Mamodman123

The Minor 2 is bigger and more powerful than the MM1. I have a couple but don't have anything to measure them with

. Maybe James, or Mike can help there? I think Wallace has one too!

SPOKESMAN

A bigger flywheel will help, with a smaller pulley on the first drive, as you say though MM1s haven't got a lot of puff!

James

what do you want measuring?

Titan

Basically the size of the firebox. The base would be removed and it would be bolted direct to the wagon in the same way as the minor 1 above. So as long as the firebox will fit on the wagon chassis with hopefully a little space for the pulleys etc, then we have got a chance!

James

the early wick type mm2 firebox is 2inches by 3.5 inches

later solid fuel type 2.5inches by 4inches

hope this helps

James

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mamod-steam...ategoryZ14737QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

heres a cheap one!

Wallace

My meths evaporative type MM2 firebox is 9.75cm (about 3.8inches) by about 6.4cm (2.5Inches) and 6.5cm (2.5inches) high

Boiler is 11.6cm long (4.6inches)

If you need more, dead accurate sizes, let us know mate

Mamodman123

Titan

I had a feeling that was a minor 1!

I think that a minor 2 may well fit, but I would not be able to mount it centrally as there would be no space for the layshaft and pulleys.
I will have to do a little bit of fiddling.

Heck I s'pose I could make a cardboard mock up of the firebox and have a play around with that and see what happens!

Mamodman123

James

Oh bollocks! i saw it was a minor and posted it up. sorry

Titan

Hmm, a minor 2 might be just a little too big to fit comfortably. whilst it could physically fit on the chassis, it would have to be offset to one side to clear the pulleys and drive bands that go through the floor, and it is quite possible that I would have to run the layshaft through the firebox as it looks like there would no longer be enough room on the end.

So I think the plan of action is going to be to change the gearing, and get some proper drive bands which should help reduce friction. The engine ought to show some signs of moving then, even if it can't pull anything. However I think that I wll still be wanting to replace it with a more recent/less worn minor 1.

Mamodman123

Titan

Well, with all this recent talk of trams, I have decided to blow the dust of of this project! And by looking at the date of the last posting that was about 18 months ago!

Part of the reason for it being left alone was that I sold the minor that I originally was testing the idea out with. I decided that I would rather put a more common version in to the loco instead of the crank disc one shown earlier.

And here is its replacement:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAP...;ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:GB:1123

Sounds like it has had little use so should be ideal. I might also look out for a Mamod coach to use also - I want to use as many Mamod components in the build as possible!

Sandman

I'll certainly keep a close eye on this project Titan.

James

Can I just say, that's the MM1 that MC now has

DLR

Found this awhile ago hope its some help

http://www.steamup.com/sitgonline...s/robcontraptions/robkuhlman.html

Titan

Similar idea, I love the way he describes the minor as a 'micro oscillator' - obviously has not seen a Jenny Wren!

pauly

any progress at all

Titan

Not a lot at the moment, although I have at least got all the parts for a running chassis. As the minor I have is without a burner, I am thinking of making my own two wick design.

The plan is to have the tank mounted under the floor, with the wick tubes passing though the floor itself. This means that I could reduce the height of the existing firebox by about an inch or so, which means that it should be low enough to fit within a mamod coach or box van easily.

Final drive is now to be via gears, which should have less friction than a band and less likely to slip.

I think I will make a start on this in the next couple of weeks, although I also now have a Range Rover that needs some attention too!

alan2525

I was looking at the feasibility of a Mamod modification into a Tram loco, I came across this website which has a glorious looking tram based on a TE1.

Superb workmanship and really looks the part too!

http://www.freewebs.com/pinetreelightrailway/visitors2008.htm

pauly

I am very interested in this progect since I have 2 minors and Id love to turn 1 of them into an engine

Titan

I am afraid progress is a little slow at the moment. It is designed to the same loading gauge as the old mamod rolling stock, and consequently the Minor firebox has had to be cut down in height in order to fit. It is intended that the burner tank will be below floor level so there is still plenty of space for the flames. I have been experimenting in trying to find the best position for the gears, but thats about it so far!

Titan

A little progress! I have just about finished the 'transmission'. Took a little fiddling to get the gears in the right place and meshing well - a lot of trial and error, opening out holes to get adjustment etc.

However, it is all finally in place and a test run on air (since I have not built the burner for it yet) seems to suggest the gearing is about right and that it will have an acceptable amount of pull - should be able to handle two or three wagons I hope.

I will upload some pictures tonight.

So that leaves a burner to build, and bodywork to construct, and hopefully a nice paint job!

Titan

So here are the pictures:

Overall gearing is now about 8:1 which seems about right. You can also see how much I have chopped off the bottom of the firebox by comparing it with the first attempt at the begining of the thread. Note that I have also cut away some extra at the bottom to allow plenty of air for the burner.

Les

Very clever.

Chris

Getting there! She will soon live.

steamyjim

Looks great Titan.

Whats the final drive to the wheels through? Belt?