Simplex No. 5
Historical
The Simplex dates back to the first period and came on the back of my foray into a live steam 16mm Hunslet. When it came to a building a new chassis for BQ, I followed the same principles. However, this time, it would be battery powered (9v PP3), infrared controlled, and have a drive mechanism inspired by the Nigel Lawton models viewed at the Narrow Gauge show in Swanley. I have very little memory of the design or fabrication process and can only look in wonder at how it came out!
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The Mashima motor sits on a frame hinged at the rear, with the drive shaft resting onto a large O ring, on a turned aluminium wheel. This drives a layshaft, with brass pulleys and two smaller O rings driving the two axles. Proprietary wheels complete the mechanism. The 9v battery sits over the motor on a hinged tray, so that its weight bears down on the motor shaft and O ring connection. It works beautifully, even though the O ring is showing signs of crazing.
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A good deal of work went into the loco in the early days including the chassis side panels - plasticard held onto the steel chassis with fridge magnet material. A basic radiator was made, with a working fan driven by a miniature motor fed from a 1.5v hearing aid battery (and switch). The fan belt was very difficult to make as the motor had so little torque, and was abandoned in the final iteration.
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Revival
In lockdown, the cab had minor alterations to suit the r/c fittings and generally making the structure more rigid. The fan cage was quite fiddly, but worth making. The mesh is curtain netting sprayed black. The radiator water pipes were also added. More bolt/rivet detail was added to the side frames together with the exhaust pipe. |
Having reached the 'finished' black stage, grumbles from a 'friend' persuaded me to paint it green, but I'm not so keen on the usual white paint elements, so I stuck at a solid colour.