USA Tank from Shapeways

[Jerry Howlett]

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. 

[mr bachmann]

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 ---

[maridunian]

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.



It's nicely printed but seems a little bit long - maybe 2mm?



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 ...



... 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:



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

[Dr Al]

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

[Bob Tidbury]

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

[maridunian]

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

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:



So,  maybe Option 3 with added Dremeling would work. I'll reflect and report back to the house in due course!

Mike

[maridunian]

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

[danmk1]

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. 

Dan

[snitchthebudgie]

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. 

Dan

Try N Gauge SouthEast on Saturday - reasonably local!

[danmk1]

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. 

Dan

Try N Gauge SouthEast on Saturday - reasonably local!

Annoyingly I'm at working. It looks like it will be a good show.

[Bob G]

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