Steam Generator

The key restriction to any O scale modeller are called curves, to turn through 180 degrees requires enough space for an N scale layout so there is a need to intensify the modelling and action under the mantra "Less can be much much more"

In practice, every element from the track up has to be distilled making it visually larger and this is what a steam generator provides visual intensity. 

This idea was originally developed by TRS Trains in England and I would have a look at their Facebook site for more details. Smoke was one idea that I had originally used traditional smoke oil and I even have a number of generators that now will have to be assigned to the 40 class as the sole representative of the diesel class.

Smoke on the water is just that, oil smoke and it's known that prolonged use can coat models with an oily residue, I have had no proof but it was a concern. Oil smoke also has a heavy look but after reviewing the TRS product, water seems to address any issue of residue and the visual is nearly perfect with oil smoke consigned to diesel.

TRS undertakes install of Sound and Smoke in the UK only

My first move was to purchase a moisturiser spray from eBay and disassemble it, what was found was it could be used by reorganizing to achieve the task. By nature and training, I am forced to create the best product that I can so after a period of design and parts research. A high-frequency oscillator and voltage regulator were selected to provide smoke and fixed voltage for fans controlled by the ESU decoder. 

How to provide power for the oscillator was the next question as testing had shown that it drew 0.15 amps and you have to allow twice this for inrush. A decision was made to power it directly from the track requiring a separate 5VDC output with an AC/DC inverter to convert the DCC to DC. After testing a number of prototypes a single power box evolved as a means to marchell all the parts for assembly and prewired before integration with a decoder.  An underlying reason was if powered from a decoder function it may/could create a heavy load on the stay alive and negate its value to the decoder.

This regulator could be replaced with resistors of the correct value but the power pack will not shrink due to the capacitor size, a smaller capacitor would help but I am not sure what the power would look like, so the decision was to play safe, in the name of success. In conclusion, a regulated power supply is stable regardless of track voltage so the value is one of balance.

"One flash it will be ash"

Oscillator Power Supply
50 wide x 46 long x 16 high

In parallel to this, a means of storing water was developed combined with an oscillator head to mount the oscillator, two fans with one for chuff and the other for blowdown. Two 15 mm square computer fans were selected, sourced and check fitted onto a prototype head designed for this task. These fans are expensive at $US15 each but they were the smallest that could be found, how they will survive in a water stream will be a tale for another day. 

Pressure head is a function of height and in the desire to obtain the maximum time between fills required a large tank hence a custom one was designed but leakage was and still is an issue. Using a repetitive design process a 95%+ seal was achieved and any small weep that can/may occur will be controlled via a 3 mm drain hole through the base of the smokebox.

A lot of effort was required to achieve the minimum water usage and the tank and head that evolved created 60 minutes plus on the bench and has thus met my baseline to proceed.

Engine Head and Storage

There is now a graveyard of ideas in the CAD system and on the bench but they evolved into the final package seen above. 

Decoder
In my first Vlog #1 a sound car installation was outlined and discussed in detail, at this time, there are 20 plus wagons ready for painting and decaling, so the ability to integrate the car sound [consist] with the locomotive was imperative for operation as envisaged.

An ESU V5 Loksound decoder was selected to operate the locomotives and guards vans, but many modifications were required to the available ESU projects to meet the design criteria. In previous Blogs/Vlogs, I lament the lack of a manual for these decoders but with help from Matt at ESU USA, ESU user groups and with just old school headbanging an acceptable result was achieved and this is to be covered in a separate Vlog due to its sound and graphics.

An NCE System can access  F28 but using 28 functions is a disaster for operation as you have to train operators just to know what button is connected to what function and this has no allegory in real life, you end up playing Whac-A-Mole with the keypad not operating an engine with or without a train. Any locomotive has a degree of autonomy provided by pressures switches and an onboard computer called a human whose operations are dictated by the need of the real world and to capture the essence of the tasks. 

It was decided to allow the locomotive as much autonomy as possible while allowing the engineer direct access to a minimum number of functions [controls] needed to operate their locomotive as realistically as practical using functions no higher than F12 with that function reserved to operate the brakes in the Soundtraxx SoundCar.

Function Map

	Fwd/Rev, F0		Front light [1]: Front Light	-	Dynamo
	F1		-	Dimmer	-
	F2		-	-	Whistle
	F3		-	Shift Mode 2	Brake Engine
	F4		-	-	Brake Bail
	Stop, F5		Aux2 [2]: Blower Fan	-	Blower
	Stop, F6		-	-	Fireman
	Stop, F7		-	-	Guard
	not F8		Aux1 [1]: Fire Box	-	2-8-0 GMR, Boiler
	F9		Aux6: Red, Front Rear	-	Dynamo
	F10		Aux7: White Front, Red Rear	-	Dynamo
	F11		Aux8: White Front	-	Dynamo
	F12		SoundCar Brakes on/off		Consist Mode
	F13		AUX9: Stay Alive on/off	-	-
	F14		-	-	-
	F15		-	-	-
	F16		-	-	-
	F17		-	-	-
	F18		-	-	-
	F19		-	-	-
	F20		-	-	-
	-		-	-	-
	Stop, F3, not F4		-	-	Compressor Slow
	Stop, not F3, F4		Aux2 [2]: Fireman	-	Compressor Fast
	-		-	-	-
	F0r		Water Guage Light	-	-
	-		-	-	-
	-		-	-	-
	Drive, F4, not F21		-	-	Brakes Train
	Drive, F4, not F22		-	-	Wagons Clash
	Drive, not F8, not F23		AUX2 [1]: Chuff Fan	-	-
	Stop, not F8, not F24		-	-	-
	Stop, not F8, not F25		-	-	-
	Stop, not F8, not F27		-	-	Random Engine Operations
	Stop, not F8, not F28		-	-	Reverser Screw

While not a complete picture, it does outline the thinking, any engineer will only need F1 to F7 to control the Engine/Train and use F9 to F11 for running lights and finally, F0 for the headlight. The bail or air transfer is assigned to F4, this transfers air brakes from the locomotive to the train and is used as a trigger [flag] for logic/lights/sounds associated with the train using F21 to F28 but requiring no operator input.  

Aux 4 is assigned to a timer that operates a miniature relay to turn off the power to the generator to further save water and extent operational time while Aux 3 is assigned to the cylinder cocks and operates the blower for that application all with no operator input.

Aux 2 has a two-state function so when stopped [state 2] it operates the blower and when moving [state 1] operates the fan chuff and have independent function logic assigned to each output. 

Function 8 [Sound On] is defaulted to on as per the Soundtraxx Tsunami to allow triggering of the SoundCar decoders to be consisted in and out of a train using the magnetic wand, F12 is reserved for this task.

This will all be covered in detail in a Vlog as sound is required to support this text once and if to all works - finally.

Mini Vlog #1

Working on a few items to reinstate Spicers Creek in the future. One of the primary issues is having the most realistic locomotives that I can create. Steam in a steamer is a prime example and I believe when combined with sound will take it somewhere, maybe.

The steam I have made some movement on so have produced a Mini Blog to cover where this has evolved to at this moment.

This idea is not solely mine, just the integration and component selection for the NSWGR locomotives starting with the 32 Class.

Enjoy and comment.

TRS in the UK has evolved this into an installation service and may be worth a look and search my ModelFXs September blog on Loco Steam. If you do you will see how this has evolved from my starting point.

This is a Mini Blog for the Mini Vlog #1.

Protocraft Couplers

With larger-scale modelling, a large layout is never a possibility what is, the attempt at greater realism with one of the biggest scenic elements being the track and rolling stock so it makes sense to attempt to recreate the operation as a method to make the layout larger but just doing more with the items we have at our disposal. 

One of the items that can add realism is the couplers and their operation. In real life, couplers are a manual task and would it not be nice to replace that?

In a previous blog Sound Car, a strategy was outlined for operational sound, so couplers are next with the common link a magnet. When using a Soundtracks Sound Car, a magnetic must be used to consist of the decoders, so using it to operate the couplers would be an operational linkage.

Magnetically operated couplers [# PC-1075] are available from Protocraft  in the USA and are assembled but based on the US prototype but meets my theatrical philosophy.

The first problem was integrating them into the rolling stock currently at my disposal. The first issue was coupler location and height that was addressed in a much earlier blog on couplers and their installation. The original couplers had a much smaller footprint than the Protocraft couplers so a complete rework was required.

The LCH were rebuilt as outlined in Vlog #1 with the coupler having specific issues requiring a large amount of styrene strip to pack them onto the center line of the car at the correct height. In conjunction with the 32 Class locomotive tender, a new coupler standard was now created that required modifications on the S, K and RU wagons, so the ruler was out.

Knuckle centerline from the top rail

The first to be modified was a Waratah S wagon, after a lot of measuring, it was decided to start with modifying the pocket to suit a ProtoCraft coupler pocket. This required removing all the cast-on details for the coupler details plus all the coupler base to the deck floor. This is messy and slow and would best be done with a small milling machine before assembly as it was difficult on an assembled car. 

Lacking this, the Ozito battery-operated motor tool fitted with a Dremel rotary cutter was a good backstop and this was covered in Vlog #2. 

The next task was to dress the modified ProtoCraft pocket then install a styrene strip and 2.5 mm angle on the sides of the pocket to blend it into the car. Finally, a 0.25'' wide styrene strip was used to pack the pocket to its final height and if doing it have 0.010''/0.015''/0.020''/0.030'' x 0.25'' on the workbench for this task.

The knuckle on the couplers is 5.6 mm wide so a 1mm +/- will be acceptable but with most of the cars at this time they are half that,

With this done the RU was modified and required similar modifications to the S with the K wagon being more straightforward with just the opening modified to suit the new couplers. Also, I have a 5000 gallon Tanker wagon and this was a lot of work requiring custom printed parts to integrate the couplers.

5000-gallon tanker

K Wagon

RU Wagon

With all this done it was time to tackle the tender of the locomotive and finally install a coupler in the front of the 32 Class HO style..!

LCH Wagon Rescue

Having 12 x O scale LCH coal hoppers, I understood that they had to be reworked, but I was not prepared for what was finally required to achieve a usable model.

Some of the issues are outlined in Vlog #1 but poor material, assembly, and fit were the main issues, with the assembly the worst. This design was never intended to be suitable for a factory assembly as there were no alignment pins for any of the parts and clearly these were a job for a modeller to assemble.

As the die was cast and after a number of false starts, a scheme evolved and is outlined here in more detail for anyone else desperate to try.

The series of photos below outline the materials used and the process used to upgrade the Bergs Hobbies O scale LCH.

NSWGR CCH Coal Wagon

Currently now working on an RSH conversion and will blog on that latter as this will require the manufacture of revised side frames and new end decks and these will be designed to suit the techniques and parts outlined here and in previous blogs.

These at the end are a standoff scale model and any others will generally match the LCH as if the RHS was raised to a higher standard it will amplify their faults, so in the end, the best place to hide a tree is in a forest..!

View the Vlog #2 - click here

The 0.06''x 0.02'' hot folded angles were trimmed to form a clevis

The 0.040'' sq is trimmed back to the hot bent angle. 

Installed at that length to keep fingers away from 

the superglue that was used to fix it as was the angles

Speaker for a Soundtraxx SoundCar Decoder

CCH O Scale

Sound Wagon

With the lockdown, I have been forced back to the bench and blog, I have not given up just had no time and will be dragged away again, but no reason to finish up a project or two.

Let's look at a sound-equipped S wagon to examine what may be possible.

The Soundtraxx SoundCar was selected over a custom ESU with its superior logic and function mapping. Overall a Soundcar supply enough sounds to do a decent job imparting realism to rolling stock plus it's magnetic consisting makes the building of a train relatively simple and prototypical.

The biggest issue if not using a Soundtraxx engine decoder is the ESU must default to on at startup because F8 must be hit four [4] times to place the Soundcar decoder into consist mode, if F8 is on for locomotive sound you will end up with the locomotive sound off and the train on with no way to have both on. Also if using magnetically operated couplers the wand has a dual purpose to open and close the couplers and operate the consisting of the train.

One advantage of these decoders as they use voltage to determine the speed of the wheels, while a disadvantage in a locomotive there is no requirement for a motor to supply the necessary feedback. Synchronization is not important so any disadvantage of this methodology is not apparent, overall a win-win

The car shown is a Waratah S wagon that was built to the manufacturer's instructions. A small amount of urethane was removed to facilitate the decoder and stay alive installation. If you wanted to do more than one this preparation would be best done before installing the wheels.

SoundCar decoder located at the top

Stay Alive beside the air cylinder

Pickups located on left

Tripod mount on the right

Both the decoder and stay alive had their insulation removed to reduce their profile from the viewed area but the underside will make a purist be apoplectic but in the end, it's modelling theatre and here sound adds so much to the theatre. 

Pickups were manufactured using 0.015'' phosphor bronze wire soldered onto copper-clad PCB which was pinned/glued to the frame and necessitated a stay-alive be installed.

This car is also equipped with a trialled tripod suspension system yielding a practical solution to the levelling of 4 wheel rolling stock. The Tripod is a post with a pivot and tube that holds the wheelset axle and is fixed to the car floor allowing this wheelset to roll latterly using brass guides fixed to the axle boxes faces to keep the axle aligned in the vertical and laterally. 

More details are to be found at the end of the Model RR Craftsman Vlog 1 on Rumble.

Why Rumble well the others are just too powerful and I find them morally objectional.

Rabbit Trap - The Model

The prototype was measured on a field trip and a 3D model was produced shown in the rendering above. There use is discussed in detail in a previous article on Rabbit Traps. The model was rapid prototypical and cast in urethane by Peter Boorman Models in Queensland. The urethane castings where assembled into the completed model shown then painted in weathered concrete, washed to age of 30 years. One complete assembly is fitted at each side of the embankment.

No information can be found at this time on the beams that supported the rail except that they were mostly likely steel. The problem is how was the rail fixed and at this point a educated guess is applied in the form of clamps. This form of construction would allow the beams to be completely fabricated off site, fit to any rail and allow replacement of worn sections, so for now this is how it is modeled until better information becomes available.

The pit is 66 mm wide

10000 Gallon Water tank

Decided to finish the 20000-gallon water tank that was on the PC for a number of years. This took a lot more time than you would expect. The primary reason was that the original software that I had used was dropped by AutoDesk and I could not afford the upgrade to Inventor. There was a problem with the 40 Class kits and I had to address that in between the other major project that I have.

That was a long exercise as no one in Australia could do it and I finally found someone located in Russia and engaged him to salvage as much as he could. Finally decided on Albire Professional 3D Software or what I call Solidworks Light, getting a licence for a heavy discount for marketing reasons helped, still $650 a year but it works well and has excellent constraining for assemblies.

The files were finally rescued and sent back in SAT format and at least they could be loaded. The final issue was that it took me 3 plus months to even get my mind in the right place with the software

This is the backstory, but I missed the tank assembly had some parts but not the tank.

After a lot of work, a new tank was generated for the 20000 gallons and finished this is where someone showed a picture of a 10000 gallon and yes it looked better, back to the grind and this is the final result. It is not a museum piece just layout quality like the PC2 Station which can be handled and still have one part at the end of the day.  It has no prototype just a collection of parts with the arrangement based on general structural knowledge and what is available.

Most of the major parts will be 3D printed with the frame Evergreen Styrene. The spout may be either plastic or brass castings depending on success with the latter.

The images are of the model, not a scale drawing so all sizes are of the materials used and the compromises made for the manufacture of one-offs.

10000 gallon Tank with Spout Generic

Details are shown below

Loco Steam

As we are all locked indoors and it does create a strange world.

An NSWGR modeller approached me with a request if it would be possible to add smoke and maybe cylinder cocks to NSWGR small locomotives. Now, this had all been looked at by myself, but there were always a number of reservations on my part, with the main one being the use of oil. A mussed-up fill could result in a real mess as would a serious derailment. The other issue was the reported build-up of oil from a lot of use in a layout environment.

After noting my objections I was directed to a Facebook page of a UK engine using water so the question was how with the most obvious answer a small ultrasonic generator, my curiosity was pricked.

So after a few days of research, I obtained a sample to destroy and then decided to see if it could be possible to have stack and cylinder cocks. with the hardware that is required to be installed.

The renders below show the current results. 

The smokebox is a Model O - 50 Class and it would all seem to fit, so all the parts were sourced and the next step will be undertaken once I have enough parts and a new printer. The parts will have to be a combination of FDM and resin depending on size. The larger parts at this time will be FDM ABS to allow them to be glued into a solid assembly.

Section through Smokebox showing collector hoods

Overall view with Smokebox transparent

This will be feed from a tank in the tender this is where one of the issues arises but in principle, it looks like a 50/50 chance but the use of water is appealing.

Steam Loco with Sound & Steam

If you really want one these are the people in the UK who have it all 

sorted its worth a look Click here