NSW AD60 Garratt Locomotive Build (my other project)

Discussion in 'Locomotives' started by Chris M, Dec 13, 2020.

  1. Chris M

    Chris M If 2 wrongs don't make it right ... try 3 Full Member

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    Apart from 3D printing locomotives I am also constructing a HO scale DJH NSW AD60 Garratt locomotive. This is a brass and white metal kit. I purchased this on eBay about 2 years ago and started construction in mid 2019. For those of you who don't know the engine it was used extensively in New South Wales, Australia as a heavy freight locomotive (often double headed) to haul coal. There were 42 built, 4 have been preserved and one (6029) is operational (there are many YouTubes of it in action). I am old enough to have seen them in action when I was a boy.

    Not sure how long it's going to take me to build as it needs careful (slow) attention to not make any major stuff ups (ask me how I know). As far as I know these kits are no longer available and according to the instructions that came with mine it was manufactured in 1995.

    DJH Box.jpg

    The instructions are not great, some descriptive text and lots of diagrams which are often confusing (see below).
    AD60 14.jpg

    I did find a guy on the web (René Vink) who has constructed one. He lives in the Netherlands, amazing to find someone in Europe who has built this Australia locomotive. René has produced a detailed record of the construction with lots of photos which is helping a lot.

    I also looked for detailed drawings of the locomotive but they just aren't out there. I was able to produce the following diagram from various bits and pieces I found on the web which has also been helpful.

    Garratt  Working 2.jpg

    So it began ... the chassis frames went well but learning to solder brass is a challenge. White metal is also a challenge as too much heat will melt it. Low temp solder is a must but is hard to find in Australia (I had to import some from the UK). I am gradually getting better at it. I also had to buy a few extra bits and pieces such as the Romford screw driver (pictured) to drive the wheel axle nuts properly.

    Chassis 02.jpg

    Wheels temporarily fitted. As you can see below this is a long locomotive - 33m (108'7") full size and will end up at around 380mm in HO scale.

    Chassis 03.jpg

    First stuff up ... the gear wheel on the second axle has to be located centrally. I wasn't confident that I could solder it in place so I opted to super glue it. A dab of glue on the axle and slid it into position BUT too much glue and some ran into the axle hub and froze the axle.

    I should have had a super glue solvent ... but I didn't ... I should have put the gear in position and let the glue wick under it ... but I didn't. I had also glued the small caps over the romford nuts and the glue had frozen the nuts (double stuff up). I got the axle to release but it would not run freely and I knew it would be a problem if I could not get the excess glue out of the hub.

    I was lucky ... I finally got the nuts to release and was able to remove the wheels. This allowed me to slide the axle an gear against the frame, and I cleaned the glue out of the hub. The glue certainly works but maybe soldering would have been better. I did not make this mistake on the second chassis frame.

    Chassis 06.jpg

    Chassis 04.jpg

    As you can see the frames have been painted black. I used epoxy enamel and hand painted them. Other detail has been added to the buffer beams. The steps on the beams have been a challenge, low melt solder isn't strong enough and they kept breaking off. I finally used a higher temp solder (145 deg) which seems OK but I had to be careful not to melt the white metal. The iron did touch the edge of one of the buffers and melted a small section away. I was able to repair it with some low melt solder and sand it back into shape. The break gear is in place but I'll get into them next time as there is a lot to talk about.

    Enough for this post ... I have taken the model further but I will get into that in the next post as there is a lot to talk about with my next stuff up. I think build this is going to be quite a journey.

    Feel free to comment ... but be kind, this is my first attempt at building a metal locomotive kit.

    WATCH THIS SPACE.
     

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    Keith M, paul_l, Rob Pulham and 2 others like this.
  2. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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  3. Chris M

    Chris M If 2 wrongs don't make it right ... try 3 Full Member

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    Thanks Chris ... Casula Hobbies currently say it is out of stock and DJH say it is not always available so I don't know what the status of getting a kit actually is.

    But 'wow' the price (as quoted by Casula Hobbies) is getting way up there. I didn't pay anything like that for my kit 2 years ago (less than half).

    Chris
     
  4. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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  5. Chris M

    Chris M If 2 wrongs don't make it right ... try 3 Full Member

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    Hi Gary,

    I had a look at the grapevine data sheet for the AD60 Garratt but all it shows is a simple line drawing of the locomotive. There is a lot of information available on Wikipedia but you can never be sure if it is totally accurate.

    For my purpose information to assist in construction the model is what I look for. Pictures and videos of 6029 are a great help. The next part of the build is the motion (rods and pistons) which I am not looking forward to as it has to be perfect for the locomotive to run well ... and I have to do it 4 times on the AD60 :(.

    Wish me luck.

    Cheers, Chris :thumbup:
     
  6. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    You will find that the drawing is an accurate HO scale 1:87 drawing of the locomotive. These are very detailed drawings.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  7. Chris M

    Chris M If 2 wrongs don't make it right ... try 3 Full Member

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    Thanks Gary ... I'll have a closer look at it.

    Chris
     
  8. Kerry Viney

    Kerry Viney Full Member

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    Low melt solder IS available from Northern Smelters in Brisbane 07 3208 2724. I did build the 4mm Garrett from a LLoyds kit many years ago when I first started in 4mm. Unfortunately the information folder went with the loco. I do remember that it went together ok, and ran quite well.
    Have downloaded the motorised rocket. Thanks.
     
  9. Chris M

    Chris M If 2 wrongs don't make it right ... try 3 Full Member

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    Hi Kerry,
    Hope is goes well for you. If you have any problems I would be happy to discuss and help if I can.

    Chris
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2020
  10. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    With regard to the Romford screwdriver, if you have a suitable diameter bit of brass tube, you can file a pair of lugs on it to do the job if you're stuck.
    Keith.
     
  11. Chris M

    Chris M If 2 wrongs don't make it right ... try 3 Full Member

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    Hi Keith,

    I hadn't thought of that ... would have saved me a bit of money. Romford drivers aren't cheap.

    Chris
     
  12. Kerry Viney

    Kerry Viney Full Member

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    Or cut a slit/grove in a small screwdriver

    Kerry
     

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