The GnATTERbox

[KK]

Hello Everybody,

Has anyone considered building a Gn15 mining operation in form of a wall mounted diorama that features the underground operation in cluding two different levels and a working hoist in a shaft?

With the new mine tubs from Sidelines and the trammer loco a convincable operation could be modelled. Even a working rotary dumper in the upper level could add to a most realistic working by charging the corresponding tub on the lower level.

What minimum hight would you recomend for building the tunneling, at least a G scale figure should walk there without too much head knockin'.

I kindle with the idea of using a office file folder box so this will not much larger than A4 size with an even smaler foot print.

Cheers

Klaus

[Steve Bennett]

That is a great idea Klaus, I really like it. no problem finding space to store it.

there would not be a great deal of room for seperation in a file box between the two levels, but that would not be too importantant. For a minimum height for the trammer with a figure you would need about 80-85mm, which would be very near to head height for a standing figure.
_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[KK]

Hello Steve,

I just stumbeled over the Idea at Carl Arendt's web site the is a skeck of a simmilar approach http://www.carendt.com/microplans/pages/venues/boxes/amalg2.gif . My mine would differ in the fact that I use only two levels and leave off the fiddle tracks at the left, so the layout is fully self contained. I'm currently just wondering how to produce a working mine shaft, in the moment I opt for using a threaded rod and micro switches to move the mine shaft cage up and down.

Regarding the discharge of the tubs I found some rotary tippers in a reprint of an old English!!! Arthur Koppel catalog (this is really a Aladins cave for industrial narrow gauge modellers). I have to figure out what type of coupler to use to make for nearly hands free operation.

Cheers

Klaus

[Steve Bennett]

Here is another rotary tippler, this time from a reprint of a Petolat catalogue. You are right these catalogue reprints are a goldmine of information, if you can find them.


_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[KK]

Hello Steve,

this is exactly as the Koppel tipper works as well.

I think I will devise a mechanism that may use a rotating coupling chain as discussed elswere here.
Therefore I need to have the center of the coupling in line with the center of the tipper, I will see how this could be worked out.

Ever thought about making a model for the Sidelines tubs? :?:

Cheers and Tschüss

Klaus

[Steve Bennett]

Yes, I have thought about making one Klaus, finding the time to do it is the problem
_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[KK]

Happy new year to all of you,

As promised I got myself busy at building the proposed mining operation. This is as far as I got.

Apologies for the bad quality image :oops:

Klaus

http://www.photodump.com/direct/kk92/Whole1.jpg

[KK]

Anyone considered building one of these two??

http://www2.iomtoday.co.uk/hosted/mines/bee%20&%20ant%20picture.htm


Klaus

[AndyA]

I've _considered_ modelling Ant and Bee many times. When we went to the Isle of Man for the Snaefell centenary, I discovered that they were built by Stephen Lewin of Poole, making them my local brand, so to speak.

Lewin also built some loco's for railways on the Isle of Purbeck (not really an island) and thus a Lewin would be ideal for my Cuddle tramway. But, I keep getting daunted by the exposed wheels - my modelling just isn't that good, and enclosing the running gear would spoil the look of the thing.

You might be interested to know that there's now a tourist railway opearting at Laxey, sporting a reasonable facsimile of a Lewin engine

http://www.iomguide.com/right-photos.php?2092

Looks like fun.

regards
(and happy new year)
Andy A

[KK]

Hello Andy,

Happy new year to you as well.

I stumbeld over the Laxey mine locos in a issue of Old Glory just after disembling my Bachmann 44 tonner and found that the only real problem is how to mount the coupling rods. With a Spud it should be even more easy to make a working model. I would make the boiler from solid brass to make a heavy engine.

Cheers

Klaus

[KK]

In case anybody wonders what the model of such a tippler looks.

http://www.photodump.com/direct/kk92/tippler1.jpg

Sorry folks but no mining hutch....

Cheers

Klaus

[Steve Bennett]

A great start Klaus, I'm surprised how much you have managed to fit into the file box. The Tippler looks great and I think you have picked the best materials to do it, I dont think plastic or resin would work so well, plus by soldering it together, there is a possibility to make small adjustments. Looking forward to seeing how this progresses.

On the Laxey Mine, there are a few more photo's here

[/url]http://www.iomguide.com/laxey/laxey-mines-railway.php

I have looked at building Ant or Bee too, but a suitable chassis has not been found (yet) and have even considered scratchbuilding one. Something like this from Levant Tin Mine in Cornwall, might be a simpler one to build, without the different sized wheels though.


_________________
Steve Bennett
Sidelines
http://www.pepper7.co.uk

[KK]

Hello Steve,

I do not think that it is the chassis that would prevent building a Laxey mine locomotive. As I stated earlier, the main problem would be fitting the coupling rods. But as I have seen that at least the Bachmann 44 tonner drives have half axles I wonder if I could turn some replacement wheels.

I think the wheelbase of the Bachmann drives is a bit on the short side but the motor can be conceald in the boiler. And with a massive brass boiler (at least for the parts not needed for the mechanism) it should be a nice performer.

I will look into that matter maybe after the tipper MK II is working.

Cheers

Klaus

[michael]

KK
Happy new year
The issue of how to mount the coupling rods is an interesting one, have you thought about perhaps using 4 small discs of brass that could be drilled all together with a hole offset from the center hole. then slip them over the axle that sticks out on the Tenshodo spud. set up the coupling rods before gluing the disks to the wheels of the spud.

Just a thought
Regards Michael
_________________
Regards Michael
If you believe you can make something, you can make it.

http://users.xplornet.com/~macton/index.html

[Gerry Bullock]

Hi Klaus,
I think your mining layout in the Office Folder looks superb, a simple theme albeit with two complex pieces of equipment, particularly for those whose soldering is not up to scratch
Will be great to see the finished article.
Now where's my Office Folder
GerryB.

[Steve Bennett]

[KK]

Good morning Steve, all,

I don't mind going imperial as due to some extensive model engineering on Stuart steam models in the past I'm quite used to it. At least I have a nice converting tool on my PC.

For all metric converted:

the measurements of ANT:

Length: 116 mm
High : 41 mm
WH dia: 16 mm
WB : 34 mm

At least a 31 mm WB Spud will make the drive.

Yesterday evening I made a small mockup of the engine utilising as Bachmann drive and some scrap PVC tube. Because of the lack of G Scale figures I could not figure out if the proportions are correct but it looks very promising. The problem for my replica will be the restricted length of 7 cm (oops sorry 2.755897" ) of my head shunt left of the elevator.

Cheers

Klaus

[KK]

Good Morning to all (well at least here in Germany is morning ),

For those interested in the contraptions build into the box file mine here are some more (and I hope better quality) pics of the elevator:



Please note the crank at the top of the box to slowly (very slooowwwly) move the elevator.

And the tippler with hutch:



Tschüß

Klaus

[Gerry Bullock]

Hi Klaus,
Would it be worth considering a flap in the box at that end so that you can accommodate Loco within available track length. That would even give opportunity to open up another box to show more mine workings.

For what it's worth many Shoe Box layouts use all sorts of tricks to increase layout size yet fold away into box for transportation.
Detail shots really show potential of this Micro Layout. You should send details to Carl Arendt.
Cheers GerryB

[KK]

Hello Gerry,

I thought about expanding the the layout beyond the box but after a secon thought I decided against it because:

1.) It'll be to much additional work building up a second box file
2.) I'll take the challenge out of the limited space.
3.) It's too dangerous having a steam loco working in a coal mine.
4.) Just have one box file left (beside a venture in 00 gauge Two boxes).

There could be however a discussion about a modular norm so that in the case of world wide interest somewhere a meeting could be hosted to join the single layouts.




Tschüß

Klaus

[Alastair]

Very nice work Klaus, the background looks a Jewel (?).. . As a module link it could make a nice two-person switcher with an inglenook above and a timesaver below.

Alastair

[m6cruiser]

Another couple of pix of a protoype tippler, with turntable:

http://m6cruiser.smugmug.com/gallery/322647
_________________
Derek Pratt
www.southportmodelrailway.org.uk

http://www.railways.m6cruiser.co.uk/

[KK]

[KK]

It's me again,

Has anyone see such a thing?

http://www.rail.lu/images/tressange2.jpg

This is a very informative site about mining in mainland Europe especial on locos. http://www.rail.lu

Tschüß

Klaus

[AndyB]