Mikes new project

[dieselhorse 0]

A few of you know that my other hobby are model trains, German prototype trains to be exact. I have Marklin HO inside, LGB G scale with both electric and Live Steam out in our front garden. But I have always wanted one I could ride on. I stumbled across a company called Lawntracks on ebay that sells ready made steel track, a few different freight cars and a power truck chassis for custom building. Most Feldbahn railways were just laid right on the grass/dirt, used small 2 axle diesel powered engines, usualy made by Deutz, Lister, O&K, and a many others. I have this oddball air cooled diesel that really doesnt fit the WH, it wont fit on the Suburban due to the crank start handle. However I think I can make it fit on the chassis, which I plan to lenghten a bit to allow for some body work around the engine and hopefully a place for me to sit. My biggest challange is connecting the engine w belt pulleys to the chain sproket on the axle. My first idea on paper was a cross shaft just behind the engine, belt pulley on one side and a centrifical clutch for a go cart on the other to allow stopping. The only down side is no reverse gear, which I would really like to have. If I had a Hatz or yanmar clone engine, i could probably put a gear box from a rear engine rider on it, those usualy have 4-5 forward gears and a reverse, would just need a belt clutch set up. I am open to ideas to add a reverse gear to my cross shaft with the centrifical clutch on it. The diesel does have two V belt groves on it, I have seen snow blowers get a reverse gear by twisting one of the two belts and putting a clutch tenssioner pulley on each belt. both belts went to a common drive shaft to the wheels. To start this project off, is what the 8-8spd is back for sale, I need the money to purchase the chassis. More pics once I get started building it. Mike

[Nick 13]

Mike, This sounds like an interesting project. Im sure there is a way to tie in a gear drive system but have you given any thought to a hydro drive pump and motor? I think a hydro driven system could give you infinite speed control plus it would also provide reverse. I have forgotten his name but there was a member that was into trains like this but dont think he has been around in a while.

Ive ridden the small diesel at Findlay and seen the steam run but didnt get to ride it. They have a Tracks to the Past show coming up Sept 6-7 where you might find some ideas.

http://www.nworrp.org/Trackstothepast.pdf

[dieselhorse 0]

I have thought about hydro, but the cost for the hydro pump and a hydro motor isnt easy to swallow when I still have track to buy. I am really hoping to find someone near by to assist with the drive train on it, I lack welding and metal cutting ablities beyond a sawzall. Heck I would trade my WH for someone fabing up the drive train for the diesel to the axle with foward and reverse. The pump would have to be belt driven due to the way the engine will have to sit in the frame mike

[dieselhorse 0]

Here is a pic of the diesel, its 20" from end to end.