Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
Scratch Built Locos Made Using Pen Refills
Subhash from Bombay in India scratch builds his own trains and is doing this before he constructs his model railroad layout.
Here is what Subhash has to say:
I have made Mumbai suburban EMU trains. I have a set of 6 cars but I will run only 3 cars. I would like them to run to & fro like real trains. When I build my layout there will be up & down tracks. I plan to have a train come to a terminus and then run on the other track. I want to run around 3-4 EMUs at a time.
My problem is my loco is not functioning properly and I am hoping a reader might have some suggestions to fix the problem. As I said I have made the locos, carriages and wagons myself.
The loco has brass wheels and aluminium track. I have also done my own gear assembly. The trains runs on 12 V supply but not on 6 V. There are lots of jerky movements (the movement is not smooth). Can anyone help me please?
As a matter of interest, I use pen refills in construction. The wire is coiled on a small screw driver to make springs etc. I am even making even the track.
Robert comments: There really are some clever people and hopefully Subhash will send in some photos showing how he scratch builds his locos. If you have some suggestions or ideas to help Subhash please click on the green comments link below and add your message.
6 Responses to Scratch Built Locos Made Using Pen Refills
Leave a Reply
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
Download Your Free Catalog
Use Tiny Railroad Micro Controllers
Model Train Help Ebook
Hi there,
i am also intrested in this field.
you may think about increasing the weight and check power pickup for jerky motion problem.
good work done.
Priyank
Subhash, i would like to know some detailed specs on the wheels and rails u build. If i am allowed here is my email so u can send me some pictures on how u do your finishing touches, like grinding and polishing of the track as well as the track. [email protected]
Good to know that some one from India is so much dedicated towards this hobby. Can you share more about how you made the models. I am very eager to know.
hi subhash,
i am avinash from kalyan,and posses the same interest as yours,i too have made a local train modelin way back 1984-85,though it wasnt a scale model but was near to it,with every possible details.it had 2 emus,and 4 coaches.it was running on 12v dc,and was scratch built using alu shits,chanels,angles etc.the mine was used with old winding clocks gear and 12 v motors,the auto system was made with another gear and big wooden disk like turntable .the model was running approx 40 feet alu tracks (self made) the movements were smooth to and fro with precise stops on signals etc.right now i do not have any fotos etc since all washed away in 2005 floods.
Dear Subash/Raj/Avinash,
I am at the age of 63 is in the process of building a model train and was successful in fabricating a gear box with available materials from the scrap market.I am fabricating WAP 7 model engine with easily available materials. I will post my finished gear box picture in my next post.I will be grateful if you people can share with ideas related to design futures of the EMU and the gear box systems.
Urs,
V.Ramakrishnan.
Nice. Try to use motor driver IC LM293D for controlling 2 DC motors at a time. You will get connection diagram from Google.
Use 12V 50 Hz AC supply for AC EMU or 6 V DC supply for DC EMU models.
For AC EMU, connect a rectifier (IC available) to develop DC supply and control speed using Arduino.
For DC EMU purchase buck converter.