Switcher Locomotive . Switcher Engine . designed after a Trackmobile

[Edward Gore]

This project is based on the designs of Trackmobiles. Heavy Equipment tractors that have pneumatic road wheel tires as well as traction wheels for the railroad to pull rolling stock freight. 

Trackmobile examples:

https://www.machinerytrader.com/listing/for-sale/192544133/2019-trackmobile-hercules-miscellaneous-equipment

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/eb/5a/ea/eb5aeae672f1703e5fe00c738249d08d.jpg

https://www.marketbook.ca/listing/for-sale/192542857/2015-trackmobile-hercules-miscellaneous-equipment

 

The three kits I'll be pulling parts and subassemblies from are all 1:35 scale and this will set the scale for the model.

 

 

 

The cabs and upper deck parts will be from the FUG. The pneumatic road wheels will be from the Turtle. The railroad traction wheels from the Tramcar.

 

 

Edited March 5, 2024 by Edward Gore

[vincen47]

Now that’s a unique project. Very cool subject matter.

[Edward Gore]

Basically the FUG chassis and Tramcar Traction wheel assembly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Edward Gore]

The arms for the road wheels were sourced from a Tamiya M2 Bradley lower hull. The suspension arms were a perfect size for this project so I started cutting them out. 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Very nice so far. I enjoy seeing unusual railroad equipment, and your approach to building this model is very interesting, very clean.

Edited March 5, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy
TYPO

[Edward Gore]

@vincen47 and @Ace-Garageguy, Thanks guys for checking in and for your comments. 

[Edward Gore]

I hadn't considered that the outside diameter of the road wheels would block view of the pivot point of the road wheel arms at the hub detail. I have to change that so we can see it. I extended them using the wheel axles from the other arms and then glued them together pinning them with brass rod.

This will look more interesting on the model. 

 

 

 

[Edward Gore]

 

 

[Edward Gore]

More of the bottom fabrication completed. The holes will receive the axles of the road wheel arms so they can articulate like the 1:1 prototype ? hopefully 

 

[Edward Gore]

Working on the traction wheels. I bought two very expensive styrene sheets BUT they included a FREE NEW CAR! ? (car dealership ad blanks in the license plate frames).

I used this thin sheet material to make discs to cover the outboard side of the traction wheels to look more prototypical. 

 

[Edward Gore]

Parts G62 and G63 from the Feldumschlaggeät FUG will be used to make the road wheel drive cones. These drive wheels press against the rear road wheel tires to drive them with friction.

Grab handle making tool was used to make the grip for the road wheel drive cones.

Parts G31 and G32 with G63 for the front traction wheel hubs. 

Prototype:

https://equipmentseller.wf.com/Attachments/Images/original_fe0d807b-b7ae-4b49-b148-8c3394f25b31_998871015_C.jpeg

 

 

Thanks for looking...

[Edward Gore]

I want the arms for the road wheels to articulate so I tried making the hydraulic cylinders from brass but that was a total fail. I need to set up a soldering station for brass fabrication. 

Until then, I made new ones from the sprue pieces from a couple different kits. Completing these now. Hopefully these will work in plastic.

 

 

[Edward Gore]

The traction wheels were figured out and installed. The drive traction wheel truck had to slide forward and rearward to contact the rear road wheels to drive on the road. I used the vertical slide rails from the FUG fork lift kit and cut them down to fit this function.
The front traction wheel truck is now cemented and curing.

They really work!

 

[cifenet]

It is cool!  I didn't know what it was before, but now this is turning out to be something super special!  Great fabrication work, keep it up!

[gotnitro?]

Excellent work 

[vincen47]

This is getting better and better, I’m really enjoying watching this unique piece of equipment coming together. The track section looks to be 3d printed?

[Edward Gore]

Hi @vincen47,

Thanks for your compliments. The track section is an injection molded kit in 1:35. This helps me line everything up in 1:35 during the build. The style is WWII era but the "European Gauge" is contemporary gauge for North America.

 

[Edward Gore]

20 hours ago, cifenet said:

It is cool!  I didn't know what it was before, but now this is turning out to be something super special!  Great fabrication work, keep it up!

Thanks for your compliments. I almost hit a wall with the brass hydraulic cylinders but glad to have managed to solve that with another material. 

[Edward Gore]

13 hours ago, gotnitro? said:

Excellent work 

Thank you!

[Edward Gore]

There isn't very much modern railroad accessories in 1:35 so I have to make the couplers from scratch. The reference photo from the internet shows this unique style coupler. I cut apart another old model tank for the mount and a couple rocket tubes for the knuckles. 

This photo makes the model look wonky but it's the close up angle of the photo... I think

 

 

 

[Edward Gore]

^

(s) = Drive shaft that was shortened to fit this model was found in the spare parts box.

(a) = additional length of plastic tube glued to the end of the rear drive shaft part to enable the traction wheel differential to slide forward and rearward. 

^

 

 

 

^

(a) = Inserts into rear traction diff.

(t) = Transfer case from the FUG kit.

^

 

 

 

 

 

[Edward Gore]

Went back into the spare parts box to find material to make the front and rear 'Pilot' parts. See reference photo...

 

 

 

Then the brackets were made from more parts from the spares box...

A template was made then this shape was scribed onto the parts then cut to shape. 

 

 

Then the brackets were shaped to fit around the detail of the traction wheel parts...

 

I'll glue these onto the model after painting.

 

 

[Edward Gore]

The hole was drilled for the air brake line which will be installed later. Gray primer first for repairs if needed. Yes, it needed ? sanding and filling. Then a coat of white to the front. Then vinyl tape masking for the caution lines. This was sprayed with flat black from an aerosol can. 

 

 

 

[cifenet]

Coming nicely, all of the little details contributing the final work to be fantastic!

[Edward Gore]

I hope so ? Thank you for the compliment.