4-6-6-4 concept chassis

Last weekend I had a chance to further update my five year old 4-6-6-4 concept chassis.



I've added a large flywheel, replaced the flex tube with a real flex shaft, added wheel wipers to the rear set of drivers, so the whole thing became "independent" (compare to the hard wiring of the old one).




I tested the chassis with my snail speed controller, it starts very slow. Also, tested with clean DC. It starts to move just above 1V, runs smooth, and draws between 60 -70 mAmps. This updated mechanism negotiates the 195mm radius turns even smoother, just looks a kind of stupid. The only problem I see, it's too fast. It runs as fast as the MTL F7 with top speed when receives only 3.5V. Next time I'll borrow a planetary gear set from one of my under performing (dead) F7, and install into this creature. I'm very confident, this type of drive mechanism could be the best solution for large Z-scale locomotives. Again, if it's not a bash, but a focused design, this huge motor / flywheel combination installed into the tender leaves plenty of room for lots of weight to help with amazing traction. Last week I've picked up a Canon video camera, now I'm learning how to shoot and edit videos. When you guyZ will see the smooth move of this creature, you'll agree, this mechanism should be AZL's pick for the Challenger. Powerful steam on the American way.

Lajos:)

Lajos, This is truly a masterpiece. Fantastic. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Very nice Lajos. Hopefully the big boys will listen and step-up to the plate. A great idea for steam fans. One of my customers is really interested in Z but wants (affordable) steam. This might be the answer if some one works out the details like you are doing.

Thanks,

Jerry

This is truly a masterpiece.

Not yet. It's an OK bash and promising concept. Lets reserve the word for some real acheevements...

Lajos:)

WOW! Super, keep posting your progress.

Nice Lajos! I'd love to see a shell on this thing. I'd bet it would be one killer looking machine.

Jeremy

I'd love to see a shell on this thing.

It was sitting in the bottom of a drawer for about five years. I never planned to complete as a locomotive. My original intention was to figure out the appropriate drive for a Big Boy or Challenger, so some day I can build a few good working model. With the planned release of the AZL Challenger (and I'm sure the Big Boy to follow) I have no reason to work my tale off to make inferior models of those monsters. I'll buy them from AZL. I'm playing with my old concept, hoping AZL will use some similar drive system to power the Challenger, so we can enjoy some real American power at our train shows.

Lajos:)

Lajos, you and I can work on it together. If they don't get it right, we'll make it so.

But you are not using mine for parts !


Jeff

Hello Lajos,

I just saw your video and I wondering what did you do to the original motor in the middle section. Is it stil working or did you convert it to a kind of flywheel too? In the front section the motor is replaced by a gearbox, or did I see that wrong?

Now this would be great if this evolves into a complete steamer.

what did you do to the original motor in the middle section

The armature ended up in the junk box, it was replaced with a small bronze flywheel. The original concept model didn't have the big flywheel. The transparent gearbox is part of the original motor assembly, but the magnet housing with the bearing was chopped off.

Lajos:)

I watched the video and it is amazing how smooth it runs. I am really impressed. Good luck with it.

Now That's some real American Steam Power!
Fred:woohoo:

but what is the pulling power of these gigantic mammoths? will they be like the GG1s with 6 cars bogging them to a crawl? or will they out pull marklins mallets? i ve put on 63 marklin cars on a mallet before the big slippage started to occur,,,and 41 of the mtl cars,,being slightly heavier in some,, before the mallet started slipping,, what will these monsters do? the AZL cabforward was a great piece of engineering,, but my blue mallet could take more cars. now im not saying marklin stuff is better, nor am i saying the new AZL challenger wont perform the mallets are the largest marklin units i had for testing, thats all.

i was one of the first to buy the beautiful GG1S, and i was sure that they would be alot of power,, but they just didnt fill those expectations everyone hoped for. where the AZL gs3 OR 4 IS A MAJOR POWERHOUSE for pulling huge strings down the track, you cant beat their power!!

i m a steamer lover,i own 9 desiels in total only, yet,, i have ALMOST collected EVERY steamer out there for marklin, azl, and swiss lines. and they dont just sit n get looked at,, everone is getting a turn on my new a expanding huge layout each month. and ofcourse, my preorder will be in for the challenger,,, but i just hope that its looks doesn t get in the way of it performance,, thats all. canada mike