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Narrow Gauge Diesels

Discussion in 'Narrow Gauge Railways' started by MuzTrem, Dec 27, 2019.

  1. MuzTrem

    MuzTrem Member

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    Following on from the interesting discussions about potential new diesels for the F&WHR (https://national-preservation.com/threads/welsh-highland-garratts.1417373/), I decided it might be worth starting a dedicated thread on the subject. Obviously new-build diesels cannot strictly be considered "preserved" but they can play a role in keeping heritage railways running, so I think they are relevant on NatPres :)

    Anyhow - what prompted this thread was that I have only just learned that the Durango & Silverton Railroad in the USA has apparently ordered two new diesels (https://trn.trains.com/news/news-wi...two-narrow-gauge-diesel-from-south-carolina-1). They were due for delivery earlier this year but I haven't been able to find any photographs of them so I assume they have not yet arrived.

    The really interesting bit, though, is that they are being built by Motive Power & Equipment Solutions of South Carolina...the same firm which gave us the much-maligned Isle of Man Railway No. 21. It will be interesting to see whether the Durango diesels can avoid the problems which have beset the latter!
     
  2. 30854

    30854 Resident of Nat Pres

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  3. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Dec 27, 2019
  4. CymruGarratt

    CymruGarratt New Member

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    I think the main problem as far as designing a new loco for the Ff&WHR is concerned, is the lack of space for a final drive between the wheel backs, given that the track gauge is only 597 mm.
    C
     
  5. Dunfanaghy Road

    Dunfanaghy Road Well-Known Member

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    Maybe a way of transmitting the horsepower to the wheels could be by means of a jack-shaft and coupling rods, rather like the 1099 class on the Mariazellbahn? Designing the bogie centre and suspension won't be simple, though.
    Pat
     
  6. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Why not have a rigid wheelbase like, for example the Raven electric loco which was a 4-6-4?

    Makes the jackshaft drive much simpler
     
  7. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]
    They do look a bit like the origanal WHR predecessor electric Peebles locos of 1902 which never made it into service and only models exist.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2019
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  8. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    The design of the new Snowdon loco has not been released. It may be similar to the loco supplied to South Wales with 4 electric motors?
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    https://m.facebook.com/claytonequip...321292594/?type=3&source=44&ref=page_internal
     
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  9. MrC

    MrC New Member

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    What about a SAR Class 91-000 GE loco. This design got around the issue of mounting the traction motors. Might be a bit big though!
     
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  10. huochemi

    huochemi Part of the furniture

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    I attach an image of the gearbox/final drive on the outer axle of a standard Chinese 762mm gauge 380hp loco. Losing 6 1/2" would certainly make it tight using this component.
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Ploughman

    Ploughman Part of the furniture

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  12. 240P15

    240P15 Well-Known Member

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    Hah,hah:D
     
  13. meeee

    meeee Member

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    I can't help but feel this would be a total waste of money. The F&WHR doesn't run any diesel hauled services regularly so why invest in an expensive loco to pull them. It also has two diesels capable of retrieving a stranded train already. A better policy would be to invest in keeping the locos they already have in better condition, especially the two Funkeys. Having more WHR steam engines would be much more useful than more diesels.

    Tim
     
  14. Steve B

    Steve B Well-Known Member

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    Might be better with some brushes!

    Steve B
     
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  15. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Possibly an idea for a TV programme with James May?
     
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  16. NSWGR 3827

    NSWGR 3827 New Member

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  17. NSWGR 3827

    NSWGR 3827 New Member

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  18. DcB

    DcB Well-Known Member

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    Good the F&WHR just runs steam services, the Snowdon and other railways have diesel passenger and service trains off peak, so reliable "climate freindly" diesel/electric locos are important to them.
    I see the Durango & Silverton Railroad also had a problem with fires so had to replace the steam trains with diesel services for a while.
     
  19. CymruGarratt

    CymruGarratt New Member

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  20. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Thinking about it, I wonder if a US style 'Twin Unit' is a possible solution?
     

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