I’ve been invited to submit some prototype engines to an exciting new project happening at the City of Newcastle Museum in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
The theme of the project is Model Newcastle: Big Stories Little Things.
I will be documenting my progress through this weekly blog – publishing every Sunday.
Project timescales
I have up to March 2025 to create two prototypes for evaluation. They must be gauge 1 (1/32), track powered, easy to maintain and robust.
All my engines to date have been battery powered, because all the track I create is plastic. I am looking forward to creating track powered locomotives, I think this will be an exciting new development to explore.
My maintenance plan is simple. As I have already explored in my current designs, they all share the same design principles: the motors are easily accessed and replaced, as are the gears and axles. I had one locomotive run continuously on a rolling road for a week non-stop without any signs of fatigue. My next test will be longer, starting as soon as possible, I am looking to create a load test that will last for at least three months without stopping.
I have a professional background in product testing. But fortunately for me, I also have a three-year-old who has tested my existing product designs to the absolute limit. With some guidance, I have employed my little boy to enact drop tests, gear and motor resistance, rolling down the stairs and thrown into our garden pond. What I have learned there has been rolled into all my existing designs and I will be discussing them as I develop the new engines for Newcastle.
Prototype locomotive designs
Deciding to create the most complicated engine first, the C38 4-6-4 Pacific express passenger steam engine, the remaining designs will be relatively simple compared to this. At 70cm, the C38 is easily the largest and most complex of the proposed engines.
The C38 is already 85% complete and by next week I will have completed the printing of some components.
The final design will be comprised of some laser cut acrylic, resin print and polyurethane.
By this time next week, I will have some photos to share with you!
Phil
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