Out of nowhere I finished the DL Plymouth

A small layout

I will keep this post updated as I go. I usually model in N scale and have been running these HOn30 chassis on a N scale layout. I decided to build a small proper HOn30 layout. It is only 13.5" x 24" and is based on a plan in the Oct 1979 MR. I have built this same layout twice in On30 so you could say it is a favorite of mine. You can see some of the On30 versions here:

http://www.carendt.us/scrapbook/page37a/index.html

This is a overall shot of the drawn plan.

And here is the basic shapes in place.

Soon as copper PC ties arrived from Fast Tracks I started laying code 55 rails.

The tightest curves are 3" radius and the grade is about 4.5%. The Porter will turn this sharp, but will need a longer drawbar to it's tender. The Porter doesn't have compensation in it's chassis so I will run the Plymouths only on this layout.

Here is a quick video of the 7 ton Plymouth giving the layout a spin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4uEzh8sqcc

Since I want to keep things looking "Eastern" I guess it will be a coal hauler with a truck dump and bin at the top and a very small processing plant at the bottom.

The rockwork has started on the left side of the layout.

Another Plymouth

Well I'm on a roll now with these small chassis so it's on to another Plymouth, this time a 7 ton DL model. I used drawings from the Sept/Oct 2006 NG&SLG, but instead of a -2 model (low cab) I modeled a taller cab that hides the motor.

The chassis has double worm reduction with a total ratio of 210:1.

Again using Nigel Lawton's 10x12mm coreless motor.

This is round one of etching the body.

Basically it was a test etch to check the fit, but I got lucky and everything worked out so I kept going with adding details.

Still more to add... This locomotive is only 1-5/8" long!

Porter is done

Finished up the paint and Neolube.

Lightly weathered with dirt colors and good old powdered graphite.

In the end I do wish I had added compensation to the rear driver, but feel with the siderods it would be out of my skill set. Maybe next time? I am happy with the see-thru frame and the fact it has many details that a Bachmann On30 porter doesn't.

Almost time for paint.

Still a few small details to add, but here we are.

Up and running

Gave the porter it's first taste of electricity tonight. No pick-ups yet so I wired up the tender. Here is a quick video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo8Eyp4RbcE

Not as quiet as I thought it would be, but still an improvement.

And a few shots showing where I'm at, everything mock-up for the photos.

You can see the gap between the tank and cab, just like the prototype.

The rear end looks like a Volkswagen with the hood (trunk) popped. This is the only problem area, hopefully the tender, crew, and other clutter with help hide it.

Rubberband man get down.

After receiving another bag of goodies from Nigel Lawton I set off to try and quiet down the spur gear drive that was used on the Plymouth chassis. On the Porter I will try this rubber band set up.

The reduction from the motor to the lay shaft is 8.5:1, that coupled to the 14:1 of the worms gives a grand total ratio of about 119:1. The small and large V-groove pulleys were bought from Nigel and the center compound pulley was turned on a lathe as one piece.

The motor is a 10x12mm, 12 volt coreless also from Nigel.

Can't wait to see it run!