Greenbat 3 ton battery loco

[PippinParticipant @phillspowart84010]

Here’s something I’ve been working on for a few years now. A pair of mining locomotives, originally by Greenwood and Batley of Leeds

Both are 1/5 scale, with a 5″ gauge version representing 2ft gauge and a 3.5″ version for 18 inch gauge. They are done from works drawings of Works No.s 2397 (18″) and 2404 (2ft), the originals of which are held in the Hunslet Archive at Statfold Barn. Both are of the 3 ton design, which was adapted to whatever gauge you asked for. Since they are virtually identical bar the widths, I thought it work doing two versions.

The design is based round two 120w electric scooter motors, widely available online. I’ve changed the worm drive of the original to bevel gears and a layshaft, for ease of manufacture, using off the shelf gears. Bearings and oilite bushes are also off the shelf, as well as the lead acid mobility scooter batteries. I’ve drawn up plans for a proper series-parallel rheostatic controller, which I posted about earlier in the year, or you can use a cheap e-scooter controller.

I’ve tried to capture every detail I can, both from drawings and photos. I’ve always loved seeing finely detailed models, with these you get the best of both worlds as there isn’t as much detail to capture. I also want them to be driven via scale size controls in the right place, just a a steam model is. Even the cheap ebay electronic controller should suit this aim, as the last of these locos made had thyristor based controls.

Both versions are now operational, and can pull 3-4 adults depending on the track. Limiting factor is weight, I’ve put 10mm thick base plates in the battery boxes to help with this, once they are complete I’ll try and put lead wherever I can fit it.

I’m hoping to run the design as a series on the magazine. I hope it’ll be a good early loco build for someone who doesn’t fancy steam, but wants more than a bolt together kit. You could build the basic running loco from laser cutouts and bar stock, with manual machines and some silver soldering knowledge. (I’m a complete beginner at structural soldering, and they’ve not fell to bits yet). Details like the lamps can be done with 3D printing, I’ve just ordered some metal ones from PCBway.

The 5″ version is on the Nottingham SMEE stand at MMEX right now, I’ll be about thursday and saturday if anyone wants to know more.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

There’s a very similar loco on the Ravenglass and Eskdale rly.  Built in 1957 for Thomas Marshall & Co. of Storrs Bridge Fireclay Mine in Yorkshire. Its builder’s number is 2872.

Currently awaiting overhaul, it only ever got used as station shunter. Here’s a photo It could do with a coat of paint, but I suspect the battery is shot

[Author]

Posts