Has anyone bought the Shapeways USA Tank body by Ivan Industries? Any idea what chassis might fit? It looks a challenge, because the USA's 0-6-0 wheelbase is only 10ft - 20mm, with external valve gear, and 4'-6" drivers. In scale, the wheels would be only 1mm apart! Perhaps one of our continental modelling friends may have a suggestion, because I can't find a UK model that would work.
:helpneededsign:
When Chivers Finelines made a white metal kit for this the recommended chassis was a BR80 available from Roco or Fleishmann.
Hi Stuart
I have not tried the 3D print - i think it may be an upscale from Z gauge, or a downscale from OO.
My USA is the Chivers Finelines whitemetal kit - generally unavailable - with a ROCO BR80 chassis. I have not progressed from the fitting trials I did, which led me source a brass chimney from NBrass.
HTH
Bob
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/63/1517-300318130358.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=63577)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/63/1517-300318130440.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=63578)
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/63/1517-300318130519.jpeg) (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=63579)
I managed to finish my Chivers USA Tank. It really was a nice kit, pity it's not around any more.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/63/943-300318171532.jpeg)
Quote from: thebrighton on March 30, 2018, 05:17:04 PM
I managed to finish my Chivers USA Tank. It really was a nice kit, pity it's not around any more.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/63/943-300318171532.jpeg)
Exquisite modelling.
Cheers,
Alan
Thanks guys! Off to look for a Roco BR80 before I buy the body. A quick check suggests the current price makes a Dapol School look cheap. We shall see what the second hand market can offer.
Thebrighton has set a pretty high standard!
:thankyousign:
@thebrighton (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=profile;u=943) that's a lovely model. You did a great job! :thumbsup:
Quote from: Stuart Down Under on March 31, 2018, 12:57:25 AM
Thanks guys! Off to look for a Roco BR80 before I buy the body. A quick check suggests the current price makes a Dapol School look cheap. We shall see what the second hand market can offer.
Thebrighton has set a pretty high standard!
:thankyousign:
My Roco chassis was secondhand on EBay from a German seller and was absolutely fine.
The Fleischmann BR80 is generally more expensive.
My only concern is how much space there is inside the FUD body, because is awful stuff to work with if you have to make space for the chassis.
Bob
Thanks, Bob! Your photos do make the chassis look rather larger than the body!
Ah - that is the joy of close up photography and perspective.
It is a mighty close fit though, but mostly around the cab/motor.
Bob
Did the creator of the Shapeways bodyshell not give an idea of which chassis it was designed around?
Arnold, Minitrix, Fleischmann and Roco have had an 0-6-0 tank of the BR80 or 89 type in their range over the years.
From my experience, the Fleischmann chassis is a little better than the Roco though the latter isn't bad. You may find more 2nd hand Fleischmann examples around than Roco.
I don't have an Arnold or Minitrix example to compare, but from what I've seen the Minitrix does at least appear to have geared drive to all axles unlike their T3 which is only driven on the rear axle.
These little guys definitely benefit from the weight of a metal bodyshell, eg. the Roco model. I would think the Chivers white metal kit was an advantage, so will a 3D print be heavy enough? Presumably you can pack the side tanks with lead or something?
Quote from: thebrighton on March 30, 2018, 05:17:04 PM
I managed to finish my Chivers USA Tank. It really was a nice kit, pity it's not around any more.
(http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/63/943-300318171532.jpeg)
Sorry to bump the thread, but how did finish the smokebox? You see, I found what appears to be Chivers kit, now branded Thamsed Transport Kits and sold by BY Enterprises, at the AGM. It's smokebox is lacking in accurate detail.
I just get lots of photos of the specific one I want to model and add fine wire and paper clip wire as required.
HTH
Bob
Quote from: Bornin1980something on August 01, 2018, 05:43:37 PM
Sorry to bump the thread, but how did finish the smokebox? You see, I found what appears to be Chivers kit, now branded Thamsed Transport Kits and sold by BY Enterprises, at the AGM. It's smokebox is lacking in accurate detail.
That's testing the old grey matter as I built it years ago. Thought I'd better go and have a look rather than trust the memory. Normal 0.3mm handrail wire and handrail knobs either from NGS shop or NBrass.
If any one is interested B H Enterprises now own the master for the
Chivers U S A tank loco and its proving to be a pretty good seller unfortunately we DONT SELL THE CHASSIS so it's down to the customer to buy from EBay or other source .we have three in stock at the moment and they will be available at THE WAVENEY VALLEY CLUB SHOW AT SOUTHWOLD THIS WEEKEND .But we can get more cast quite quickly if needed .
I hope I'm fit enough to be there after my operation on Monday morning this week , it's looking good at the moment ,fingers crossed things don't change .
Bob Tidbury
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on August 01, 2018, 10:43:34 PM
If any one is interested B H Enterprises now own the master for the
Chivers U S A tank loco and its proving to be a pretty good seller unfortunately we DONT SELL THE CHASSIS so it's down to the customer to buy from EBay or other source .we have three in stock at the moment and they will be available at THE WAVENEY VALLEY CLUB SHOW AT SOUTHWOLD THIS WEEKEND .But we can get more cast quite quickly if needed .
I hope I'm fit enough to be there after my operation on Monday morning this week , it's looking good at the moment ,fingers crossed things don't change .
Bob Tidbury
Best wishes for your recovery Bob, hope to see you at TINGS.
could always ''scratch'' build one (bit over scale ) using a Bachmann USA 0-6-0 switcher , just ad bunker/tanks/buffer beam's and other bits ---
I've had a 'bargain' Minitrix BR89 sitting on the shelf for a while, noting its similarities with the USA Tanks, and intending to somehow bodge one into the other. Ordering other stuff from Shapeways, I decided to get one and see how well it fitted.
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/75/2947-020419115638-75553779.jpeg)
It's nicely printed but seems a little bit long - maybe 2mm?
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/75/2947-020419115634-75533545.jpeg)
Although the steps are too tight for the back of the chassis (I suspect they were thickened, inwards), the cab will accommodate the motor, however ...
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/75/2947-020419115636-755332143.jpeg)
... this raises the body much too high. So, to answer the original question, "Any idea what chassis might fit?", the short answer is "Not the Minitrix BR80/89".
So, am mulling how to proceed. Here are the bits of the puzzle:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/75/2947-020419115637-75552395.jpeg)
Option 1: Use the Minitrix cab, suitably filled and filed, plus the Shapeways front end, tanks probably deepened with plastic card.
Option 2: Use the Minitrix cab, suitably filled and filed, and fit the disassembled Shapeways tanks and boiler top fittings to the BR89's filed down boiler.
Option 3: Remove the motor and use the Shapeways body as is, adding a powered coal wagon "tender" which would also pick up power.
Option 4: Resell the Minitrix loco and look for a Roco example.
Happy to take non-binding indicative votes on these options!
Mike
Why not fit one of these coreless motors to the chassis, to cut down the size:
https://tramfabriek.nl/motors.html
pics at bottom of the page showing fitted to a similar Minitrix Dock tank.
Cheers,
Alan
If you don't want to buy a U S A tank loco from shapeways we will have the ex Chivers Kit in white metal and we will have them on the B H E Stand at the Forum Show this Saturday ,B H E now own the rights to this kit .
Bob Tidbury
Quote from: Dr Al on April 02, 2019, 12:52:47 PM
Why not fit one of these coreless motors to the chassis, to cut down the size:
https://tramfabriek.nl/motors.html (https://tramfabriek.nl/motors.html)
pics at bottom of the page showing fitted to a similar Minitrix Dock tank.
Cheers,
Alan
Thanks Alan. That's a useful site!
The Minitrix can is also 16mm high, plus the bearing and tip of the rotor. I have these instructions (but sadly, not the kit) for an ABS/Beaver GWR 1366 which faced the same issues:
(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/75/2947-020419135104.jpeg)
So, maybe Option 3 with added Dremeling would work. I'll reflect and report back to the house in due course!
Mike
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on April 02, 2019, 01:31:42 PM
If you don't want to buy a U S A tank loco from shapeways we will have the ex Chivers Kit in white metal and we will have them on the B H E Stand at the Forum Show this Saturday ,B H E now own the rights to this kit .
Bob Tidbury
Thanks Bob - yes, that's probably a better solution for people now it's available again.
Mike
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on April 02, 2019, 01:31:42 PM
If you don't want to buy a U S A tank loco from shapeways we will have the ex Chivers Kit in white metal and we will have them on the B H E Stand at the Forum Show this Saturday ,B H E now own the rights to this kit .
Bob Tidbury
Never even knew there was a kit available until I read this. The Longmoor Military Railway had a number of USA tanks so this will definitely be going on the shopping list, I missed the chance at Ally Pally so off to search what local shows your attending. :thumbsup:
Dan
Quote from: danmk1 on April 02, 2019, 06:22:58 PM
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on April 02, 2019, 01:31:42 PM
If you don't want to buy a U S A tank loco from shapeways we will have the ex Chivers Kit in white metal and we will have them on the B H E Stand at the Forum Show this Saturday ,B H E now own the rights to this kit .
Bob Tidbury
Never even knew there was a kit available until I read this. The Longmoor Military Railway had a number of USA tanks so this will definitely be going on the shopping list, I missed the chance at Ally Pally so off to search what local shows your attending. :thumbsup:
Dan
Try N Gauge SouthEast on Saturday - reasonably local!
Quote from: snitchthebudgie on April 02, 2019, 06:31:35 PM
Quote from: danmk1 on April 02, 2019, 06:22:58 PM
Quote from: Bob Tidbury on April 02, 2019, 01:31:42 PM
If you don't want to buy a U S A tank loco from shapeways we will have the ex Chivers Kit in white metal and we will have them on the B H E Stand at the Forum Show this Saturday ,B H E now own the rights to this kit .
Bob Tidbury
Never even knew there was a kit available until I read this. The Longmoor Military Railway had a number of USA tanks so this will definitely be going on the shopping list, I missed the chance at Ally Pally so off to search what local shows your attending. :thumbsup:
Dan
Try N Gauge SouthEast on Saturday - reasonably local!
Annoyingly I'm at working. It looks like it will be a good show.
The chivers kit fits nicely onto a Roco chassis, which you can get on eBay.
Not tried the Fleischmann chassis but twice the price!
Good luck and glad this kit is back in business.
Best
Bob