Narrow Gauge Diesels

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!

 

Good move. This cropped up a few days ago:
https://snowdonrailway.co.uk/snowdo...in-future-with-new-hybrid-diesel-locomotives/

O/T for this thread, but the Appenzeller Bahn, over in Switzerland, has just taken delivery of new electro-diesels:
https://www.railwaygazette.com/trac...ro-diesel-locomotives-delivered/55423.article

 

Thanks for your information 30854 I can`t say they are actually good-looking engines

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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?



https://m.facebook.com/claytonequip...321292594/?type=3&source=44&ref=page_internal

 

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!

 

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.

 

Will this fit?

 

Hah,hah

 

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

 

Might be better with some brushes!

Steve B

 

Possibly an idea for a TV programme with James May?

 

Perhaps a look at the Queensland Cane fields in Australia may help, all which use 2' Gauge.
Many new and Extensively remanufactured Locomotives have been built over a number of years, some examples in the following links.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Proserpine-Sugar-Mill-The-Barley-Girl-loco-1215.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Sugar_cane_train_crossing_Bruce_Highway.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/ac/4a/3fac4a4aaa20199d31a35d49d38140b6.jpg

 

Perhaps a look at the Queensland Cane fields in Australia may help, all which use 2' Gauge.
Many new and Extensively remanufactured Locomotives have been built over a number of years, some examples in the following links.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Proserpine-Sugar-Mill-The-Barley-Girl-loco-1215.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Sugar_cane_train_crossing_Bruce_Highway.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3f/ac/4a/3fac4a4aaa20199d31a35d49d38140b6.jpg

 

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.

 

The Ff&WHR Trust still aspires to provide two new higher powered diesels through the pages of its Diamond Jubilee Appeal - see https://www.festrail.co.uk/appeal/diesels.html
C

 

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