G Scale Model Train Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

First run of turbine locomotive

Jump to Latest
21 - 35 of 35 Posts
Discussion starter · #24 · (Edited)
Hello,
I've managed to paint and finalize the loco!
When I started this project in September 2022, I wasn't sure where this would end up, since it is my first scratch-built loco. Starting with scrap materials, the ready-made turbine and the wheels were my major investments. During the course of the manufacture many more small items were added - a casting here, a sheet of brass there - as my skills and confidence grew that I could actually achieve something. Unexpected help was offered by some people which proved invaluable on tasks that required special tools like brazing the boiler. So, such a project is also sort of a personal journey, and I am glad I've taken it.
Regards
Michael
Image
 
#29 · (Edited)
A beatiful and interesting model build!:love:

All three that were built 1930-1936 are still around. One stayed in running condition, and I saw - and heard! - it real close up 35 years ago. And a second one is beeing restored to running condition. They run very smoothely, as there are no back and forth (and sideways) movement, like with piston engines. (This actually reduces stresses and wear.)

They were built to save on coal fuel, since turbines are more efficient. And were very successful, pulling heavy iron ore trains of 1'700metric tonnes in daily operations. I've read one of them simply tore the couplings apart, when maximum load was tried to be experimentally found out. 🤣

They only retired in the 1950's to be replaced by electric locos. I think that mining line actually was electrified somewhat late by Swedish standards? So probably steam engines were already considered worth preserving? But also certainly these three had to be obvious examples of technology deserving not to be scrapped?! They quite likely also held a special place in the hearts of that mining railway company - also I think the only standard gauge railway never nationalized. When I was a kid, spotting one of their locomotives in Stockholm - pulling passenger commuting trains - with their own insignia, was special. 😀 I'm not sure, but I think they also operated a type of engine that the state railways didn't operate. (At least in Stockholm.) Perhaps they just used one of their mining operations locomotives?

(Sweden basically skipped diesel locomotives, because electrification began very early. Swedish electric locomotives were developed very early on, and were also exported. I don't know if Amtrak still runns the later models, starting with the ones imported in the 1970's?)

Basically all Swedish lines had been electrified by the mid 1930's. So the most famous Swedish major locomotives newer saw much use, and were sold to Denmark in 1937 - but two were returned to the Swedish railway museum. (In the sixties I believe.) One is running, the other is beeing restored to running condition. This type is a favourite Swedish prototype - also as live steam. I think the attractive light blue color also adds to the attraction? (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SJ_F_(steam_locomotive)

I don't know, but I think turbine locomotives had two things going against them. One thing was that the maintenance required other knowlidge/personel for maintenance than piston engines. But these three M3t turbine locomotives were operated on one specific mining railway, so they shared personnel.

The other beeing that I've heard they consume more water. Fresh water is however very plentiful in Sweden, so is no issue. (Whereas we have no coal.) But when the Germans built two "trial" turbine engines in 1924/26, they had water condesor tenders to conserve water. One of the engines was very fuel efficient, the other design though not so economical. Both were bombed and lost in WWII. (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/DR-Baureihe_T_18.10)
 
#30 ·
I have no idea really, but the TGOJ ("Trafic Inc. Grängesberg Oxelösund Railways") operated several other types called "M3". I'm guessing the "M" stands for "malm"= ore. Though type denotations are chronically lacking in strict logic... (List of TGOJ steam locomotives starting 1872 (Trafikaktiebolaget Grängesberg - Oxelösunds Järnv. - TGOJ. Ånglok bilder, skisser, data etc)

Perhaps the M3b built in 1929 (https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3b#/media/Fil:JvmKDAJ04439.jpg) was the immediate precursor? Three cylinder - single expansion! - superheated. Built for another mining/railway company "OFWJ" = "Oxelösund Flen Wästmanlands Järnvägar", est. 1873, that though at least financially mergered with the then TGO est. 1896, to form TGOJ, also together with some other mining railways in the southern "Bergslagen" district. Photos at the GBBJ(TGOJ) museum of the three turbine and other locomotives FotoGalleri

These mining corporations sort of ran everything in the extended neighbourhood. I think the phenomenon is mentioned in the USA as "The company store"? Same applied to other industries.

I know of a funny example, a long logging standard gauge transport bogiewagon, that was designed to have a passenger superstructure fitted during summer time, to carry workers, management and families to a favourite swimming lake. Though aparently, it was to much trouble to seasonaly fit and remove, so it served as a nice passenger waggon, still preserved.

A very early 1876 passenger hauling locomotive preserved operated by OFWJ/TGOJ OFWJ 8 (operational, at national railway museum)

I think the TGOJ passenger communting trains to Stockholm I saw as a kid, probably both served general community service, but probably also was important to access qualified people who really wanted to live in Stockholm, not out in some steel and mining district, really. I'm guessing having reasonable access to Stockholm would help reqruitment.

The technically interesting point beeing many heavy hauling locomotive types were developed quite early for the mining and steel industry - also in the northern part of Sweden.

Still very much goes on in the north. Several makers have done various H0 scale models of these impressive locomotives, but I also know of German gauge 1 models.

Here is a recent gauge 1 model pulling what seems to be 3D printed ore waggons. That would seem a good idea for the turbine loco as well!

I've thought about something along these lines many times. And if you add some load, I think just 3D printed plastic wheels would do fine. You don't have to turn the treads, just sanding them will work fine, people have sayed.

Image
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #33 ·
StevenJ said:
Excellent job finishing it up with paint. Do you have more photos of it? Was wondering if it had a gearbox so it can go in reverse.
Click to expand...
Steven,
Yes, there's a reversing gearbox: a separate frame with gear wheels that tilt around the jackshaft, details of which appeared in the G1MRA Newsletter #279
Image


The following photo will likely be printed in the forthcoming G1MRA Newsletter #280
Image


Michael
 
Discussion starter · #34 ·
Pauli said:
Here is a recent gauge 1 model pulling what seems to be 3D printed ore waggons. That would seem a good idea for the turbine loco as well!
Click to expand...
Pauli,
Thank you for pointing this video out to me. The place of the action is not that far away from my home! Actually, I was aware of the loco, but not that this group has also built ore wagons.
When the Swedish railway museum reopens in 2024, I would like to go there to see the prototype of my loco.

Michael
 
21 - 35 of 35 Posts
About this Discussion
34 Replies
15 Participants
Last post:
Michael
G Scale Model Train Forum
posts
460K
members
32K
Since
2007
A forum community dedicated to G scale model train owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about collections, displays, models, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Live Steam General G Scale Discussions Beginner's Forum Model Making Track, Trestles, Bridges and Roadbed