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AML 1/29th NYC 4-6-4 Dreyfus Hudson

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#101 ·
David, you are entitled to your opinion.

But in 1:29 most manufacturers strive to accommodate 8 foot diameter curves... If you looked into what is done in 1:29 on 3 axle diesels you would see this right away. Aristo has done some very creative things to accomplish this in their steamers.

Since I DO own two AML 1:29 locos of a similar style (which will negotiate 8' diameter), I DO know what they did... I also am in very close contact with various people in Accucraft, as a matter of fact some nice 2 hour conversations with Bing... so I'm not unaware of their intentions.

So, not really sure of how you determine/define "not suitable", but it CAN be done and HAS been done, and Accucraft also of course wants to sell as many as possible.

I know this is a live steam forum, so maybe many of you think much larger curves and 1:32 fidelity, but when this loco comes out in "sparky" they would be in serious trouble if 16 foot diameter was the minimum.

Greg

p.s. I just checked their site after I finished the above, the minimum radius is STATED as 4 foot... so the argument is moot... it DOES handle 8 foot diameter curves. So it IS suitable...
 
#102 ·
Hi Greg,
I guess when I said not suitable, I was really meaning 'look funny, or strange'.
I am quiet aware that these models are made to go around very tight circles, but to my eye they look much more realistic going around much larger curves.
That's all.
Cheers,
David Leech, Delta, Canada
 
Discussion starter · #103 ·
Posted By livesteam53 on 26 Feb 2013 10:04 PM
Here is a peak

Image

Image



Mark - 4th small photo (top row, rhs) is interesting. The data sheet talks about a "drain valve" and I'm sure I've see a reference to a 'boiler drain'. Would that be the boiler drain valve, over the center driver?

And finally - from the order form [which I am filling in next]

ETA: Live Steam - Fall 2013, Electric - Winter 2013
 
#106 ·
David, I understand and appreciate your definition.

They indeed look very bad going around anything near 10' diameter, completely agree.

But us SG guys are basically ALWAYS on too tight of a curve ha!

So we usually just have to live with it.

Regards, Greg
 
#107 ·
Pete

I will confirm that the pic you refer to is a cylinder cock. They are on several of my Accucraft engines, both 1:20.3 and 1:32.

I have never seen a "boiler drain" on a model, unless by that you mean a "blow down". IIRC, I don't think they are that common. I am awaiting correction.
 
Discussion starter · #108 ·
It is clearly the cylinder cocks. You can see the hex bolt head on the end of the cylinder.

I have never seen a "boiler drain" on a model, unless by that you mean a "blow down".
Jim,
I haven't seen one (yet) but given that the latest Accucraft locos are weighing north of 30 lbs, it is getting increasingly difficult to empty the boiler without crushing some details. [Which is an opening for someone to complain about too much detail on Accucraft live steamers!] We could also discuss the need to empty the boiler, but as my locos get left for 6+ months without being used, I prefer to drain them.
 
#109 ·
There was a good discussion on boiler drains, prototype and in models a while ago, was also a lot of information from people's experiences draining and not draining...

Hey, we haven't had a good steam oil debate in a while! (Don't forget deionized vs. distilled vs. Japanese rain water).
Image


Greg
 
Discussion starter · #111 ·
Posted By jfrank on 01 Mar 2013 08:00 AM
That center flangless driver not touching the rail looks wierd.

Don't tell me - you really wanted an exact scale 1/32nd model with all drivers flanged and a 3 meter min radius.
Image


All things come to those who wait. . .
 
#112 ·
Its really no different then any of the other DRG locos, you can just modify the lower journal retainer to allow it do drop to the railhead. Was done on many K27s and I did it on my K28. Also did the Mogul to but it doesn't run on 10' dia anymore. So ill throw in a shim to lift it off the railhead.
 
#113 ·
I think the issue is the center driver dropping below the railhead on a curve and then when the curve starts to straighten out, now the driver needs to "climb" back up to the railhead, can cause real problems.

Since the AML 1:29 stuff has one driver gear driven, and the rest driven from the connecting rods, you cannot have the huge lateral motion like on an Aristo... that is how they keep all flanged drivers.

(The Aristo has all drivers gear driven and the connecting rods are hinged and just "along for the ride" so they can accommodate the lateral motion)

Something has to give somewhere to let these large locos traverse such tight curves.

Greg
 
#114 ·
Posted By Pete Thornton on 01 Mar 2013 08:15 AM
Posted By jfrank on 01 Mar 2013 08:00 AM
That center flangless driver not touching the rail looks wierd.

Don't tell me - you really wanted an exact scale 1/32nd model with all drivers flanged and a 3 meter min radius.
Image


All things come to those who wait. . .



Yep, I guess. That one looks just too much like a Lionel toy train. I really don't think a flanged center driver would need 3 meter min radius. I have pacifics that run on much tighter curves, more like 6' radius, with all the drivers flanged. They are trying to make an engine for the LGB people.
 
#116 ·
Posted By Jerry Barnes on 01 Mar 2013 10:48 AM
My same thought John. My Pacifics go around fine. Heck my 844 I made from a Pacific, with the extra driver goes fine also.
One aspect could be the difference between the flanges in regards to Aristocraft and Accucraft that are being used in 1:29
 
#118 ·
Posted By Greg Elmassian on 01 Mar 2013 11:32 AM
Charles, have you ever examined an Aristo gear box? They have almost ONE INCH of lateral motion EACH. That is definitely the major factor.

I'm assuming Jerry is talking an Aristo pacific.

Greg
Greg

Not since I sold by 1:29 collection many, many years ago!
 
#120 ·
Posted By Greg Elmassian on 01 Mar 2013 10:11 AM
I think the issue is the center driver dropping below the railhead on a curve and then when the curve starts to straighten out, now the driver needs to "climb" back up to the railhead, can cause real problems.

Since the AML 1:29 stuff has one driver gear driven, and the rest driven from the connecting rods, you cannot have the huge lateral motion like on an Aristo... that is how they keep all flanged drivers.

(The Aristo has all drivers gear driven and the connecting rods are hinged and just "along for the ride" so they can accommodate the lateral motion)

Something has to give somewhere to let these large locos traverse such tight curves.

Greg

I have to ask how this thread turned onto a Aristo ELECTRIC thread? Can any further posts remain as live steam talk and related to the Accucraft version? No reason that anywhere in the Live Steam forum Aristocraft and their electric practices need to be discussed that's why there is a electric forum. I just tired of all this......
 
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