TT scale trains and models

Ok. Than just the joint between the frames and the back of the frame where the motor and truck mounts

Murad wrote:Ok. Than just the joint between the frames and the back of the frame where the motor and truck mounts

That I can do. I have a bit of a fear of disassembling the running gear of model steam locomotives after I took apart an old Varney 4-6-0, and ended up bending the gear while it was off.

Here we are:

Does anyone have a suggestion for what to use to make a u-joint for the front engine in the HP Challenger?

The FIRST question is how will you mount/support the worm and shaft on the front engine?

I would suggest a brass |__| (i.e. "U") bracket spanning the drive gear, and supporting the worm shaft with bearings and thrust washers on each side.

With the worm shaft extending to the rear, 2 universals joined with a sliding shaft should work well. The NWSL site has all the parts; drive shaft components from a diesel could also be used.

I have decided that I will use a spring for the u-joint on my Challenger as it will provide the needed flexibility, as well as enough "back force" to help keep the ball joint in it's seat as well.

Here is my articulated construction from 1982-3.
The ball joint is very short, just about 10 mm, all wheels are driven with individual worm gears. Both frames can turn, the second one just a few degrees. The motor sits on the second frame and turns together with it.

I remember reading somewhere that HP Products billed the 4-6-6-4 as being a "100-car puller". Is there any truth to this, does anyone know?

AstroGoat760 wrote:I remember reading somewhere that HP Products billed the 4-6-6-4 as being a "100-car puller". Is there any truth to this, does anyone know?

Many of the HP catalogs list the 4-6-6-4 as a "100 car loco". The 2-10-4 (Texas) and the 2-10-2 (Santa Fe) are also listed as 100 car locos.

This may have been possible.....all of the HP freight cars are very light in weight, 100 HP cars may not be out of the question. Who's got 100 cars to check? Who has a layout large enough to assemble 100 cars into a train??

I've pulled about 25 cars with a HP 2-8-2 without any difficulty. 100 may be possible.....

milwrd1 wrote:Who's got 100 cars to check? Who has a layout large enough to assemble 100 cars into a train??

I am quite positive that I have more than 100 freight cars in North American TT Scale, a big enough layout is forthcoming for the 2020 National Train Show.