Ron Wallman
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Triang Bigbig train Ruston on five inch gaugeThe green locomotive is based on the Triang Bigbig train. This was a 1970 O gauge toy and later made in the eastern block.
I had hoped to build a serious railway but steam took me too long and was unsuitable for children who want the train instantly and will abandon it either after one lap or may stay on for more than two hours nonstop. I decided to build for kids making things that worked, that were tough, cheap and cute.
I increased the height of the bonnet to accept a standard family car 43 amp/hour battery and made outside frames with fly cranks. It needs counterbalances or it will derail at speed. The motor is an ex Sinclair C5 and speed control is by 4QD. The speed control is the great secret of all my locomotives. The locomotive weighs 50 kg with its battery. The pilot beams were cast iron from my pattern. The rest is all recuperated filing cabinets and what have you. The louvers I punched as required. The locomotive carries the name Rusty because it was stored in the kitchen and my dear wife threw water over it. This locomotive can achieve about 10.5 kph say 6.5 MPH. If I go faster the noise level rises to neighbour complaint level. When I tried a faster speed the kids complained that I was cornering on two wheels and refused to ride with me. The range is unknown. I tried once and after two hours flat out nonstop I had to retire with a BSA. In exhibition a relay of drivers all retired with mega BSAs and we gave up trying to find what it would do. There is a sound unit of which the most important feature is the off switch. It is really great but after half an hour it is a blessed relief to cut the noise. Cutting the engine off and then taking a train away causes great mysteries at exhibitions. The locomotive dates from 1987 and needs a repaint. After we recorded 2000 km we gave up and we think this machine will run for ever. The shot shows the line at ground level. Unfortunately the kids grew long legs and complained bitterly so the line was simplified to a circle and raised.
Early one Sunday morning I crept up on a pheasant with this locomotive. However these birds make an incredible noise and fuss when grabbed by the neck and as we live not far from the cemetery I thought it might awaken the occupants and had to let go.
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James
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Wow! What a fantastic loco, its amazing that its travelled 2000km. The loco looks great and is a credit to its builder. Just out of wonder how many people can it pull?
Thanks for the details on the loco,
James
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Ron Wallman
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Triang Bigbig train Ruston on five inch gaugeI am not sure what Rusty will pull. It will take four adults but the limit is the battery output power. If I take the sound unit out I can get in two batteries but my batteries are salvaged and low on power. With deep cycle batteries the locomotive might do rather well but it has Ø115 diameter wheels and big wheels slip. I fitted sanders at one point and she gripped well and truly! Rusty will easily take 350 kg behind. The motor is ex Sinclair C5 and rated to take 35 amps at 12 volts and output 350 watts. C5 motors go faster one way than the other. Even two car batteries will not offer 17.5 amps each for long.
I have seen my kids drive with nine kids on board. By 2000 km I meant we stopped recording distances then. Rusty has done possibly a further 500 km since then say 1,500 miles total.
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James
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Intresting.....
Is the sound unit home made as well, the reason I ask is I am thinking of making one for my loco.
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Ron Wallman
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Triang Bigbig train Ruston on five inch gaugeThe sound unit came from TRAXCONTROL if I remember the name correctly. This is going back ten years. It needs six U2 batteries but be warned; it will give you a headache!
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James
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Yes, TraxControls is right from what I remember(I have heard of them), to make mine I am going to record a sound file of a petrol loco and put it onto an Mp3 Player. After that I will connect it up to a speaker-the sound will not alter with speed but will give the idea of a loco-the idea came from Barry who is also a forum member.
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Ron Wallman
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Triang Bigbig train Ruston on five inch gaugeI managed to get a negative scanned for me that shows the green locomotive at an exhibition in Rueil-Malmaison in 1995. It clearly shows a total of nine kids being hauled including my oldest son driving, (count the feet!) In those days I was using B/W film.
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5inchgaugetrains
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its a very powerful loco for one motor
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