Klein Lindener
Klein Lindener
Or rather NOT a Klein Lindner(?) Well the book I got the drawings from claimed the locomotive was a K-L however looking at the drawing -it just didn't seem 'right'. I read through the text and it is not a K-L at all -but the subject of a patent and having read the patent I have to agree -it is NOT a K-L -but a <<System Hagans>>.
This is the drawing of the loco.
The next image shows the bit (that to me) is the most interesting. In the 'true' K-L the tube axle is connected to the axle by a simple gudgeon pin -here there is a type of Rzeppa joint (constant velocity joint). I do not know if this is any more efficient than the std type -but is was different -this of course made it a prime candidate to build!
The early experiments to get this thing to work were rather more fun that I thought they would be. Here is the first prototype. It is made from a length of Aluminium tube with a 4mm bolt through it with glass beads to act as rollers. These 'bear' on 2 pieces of Aluminium sheet held square with a few offcuts of K+S brass. The whole lot is CA'ed to a couple of M10-30mm washers...
The initial tests went very well and I proved the principle (and broke the prototype....) I now had to re-design the drawing to get it to take the std SM32 setcurve. This meant lengthening the distance between axles 2 + 3 and shortening the distance between axles 1 + 2 and 3 + 4. It may be me but the more equal spacing seems to improve the 'stance' of the locomotive. Now after a couple of hours with pieces of graph paper my collection of 'bits' to place on it (and draw around) I have ended up with the following:
The tube axles on 1 and 4 need to pivot +/- 10 degrees and slide +/- 6mm side to side. As with the Klose locomotive all the canterlevering has to go down the centre of the wheels. In a steam loco this would not be a problem -but in an electric powered one -this is where the motor normally goes! The solution was to mount the motors on the SIDE of the frame and drive the axles from gears external to the wheels. This means you can see the edges of the gears peeking out from the underside of the frame -but since only the passing ants will see -I am not bothered. There HAS to be a linking shaft between the two motors -this synchronises them and prevents one running a little faster then the other -this is a problem that I have noticed cause terrific binding in the linkages!
The pre-production K-L axle can bee seen on the right in axle 4 position. As you will have seen it is based on a 'Yorkshire' 15mm plumbing fitting...
Well after a busy Easter Holiday I am proud to announce -IT WORKS!!! The EXACT method of getting the Klein Lindner to function properly I will not reveal -but if you look at a Singer Sewing Machine shuttle -you will instantly realise what I have done with it...
Here is a fast forward of construction. (The bulk of which was actually done in two days).
The raw chassis with the 8 axles being held in position by wound on rubber bands.
Add a Body -in this case made from 80 thou ABS. As this is a wing tank loco there could be no internal re-enforcing -hence the thicker than normal ABS sheet.
Add a Boiler -not as in the initial working drawing a large combined steam and sand dome -to my eyes this did not look 'right' on the model and with it being Easter there was an handy supply of Kinder Eggs!
The Cab is as the drawings, the internal bracing is 7mm sq spruce strip. This gives a good square edge to work to.
The next stage will be wiring and priming
Well, a few days have passed and I have now fitted the flycranks and the conrods. The loco was primed with std car grey primer and as it is from the same stable as the Hagans I decided it too should be Forest Green and Black.
No, your eyes did not deceive you -the end of the frame does hang over the inside of the rail... This has meant that I have had to order the special extension arms for my couplings -so that they actually WILL connect with something!!!
