HOn30 tank loco

[RailRon]

Fantastic work, Ray! And the photographs are top notch, too. :thumb::thumb::thumb:

Your expert handling of all that small stuff puts every Swiss watchmaker to shame!

Ron (flabbergasted...)

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

I've been doing some work on this project and thought I'd post a few photos.
I still have to install some more decals and clear coat it.

 

[JorgeC]

Simply OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!

 

[nachoman]

This is truly inspiring. Do you have an HOn30 line on your layout? You may have inspired me to work on a similar project I have been working on. My issue is soldering stuff to the boiler. What kind of iron are you using?

Kevin

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

Thanks guys.
I don't have any track laid yet.
Since I started this project I acquired some HOn3 trucks and rolling stock and I haven't decided which to regauge.
As for soldering I am using a 250/325 watt Weller soldering gun. I use Tix liquid flux on the parts, then using a "tinned" tip heat the parts until the solder flows from the tip to the parts. If you have problems with other parts coming unsoldered, wrap the boiler with a wet rag to slow the transfer of heat.
I got a resistance soldering system but haven't used it yet.

 

[doctorwayne]

Great progress, Ray. :thumb: I really like that tender, too!

Wayne

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

Thanks Wayne,
Here's a few close up photos showing the link and pin couplers.
They are modified N scale Rapido couplers.
They will also couple to the Minitrain cars.

 

[BrownMouse]

Ray, could you describe how you made those link and pin couplers? Sorry to resurrect an ancient thread, but it seemed like a good idea to ask out here, instead of a private message, in case someone else was interested. Thanks,

Elnathan

 

[Triplex]

I'm no expert, but it certainly captures the look of sugar plantation engines. The proportions look typical of small narrow-gauge engines, and the tender (for cubes of bagasse, I presume) looks right.

 

[Ray Marinaccio]

Hi Elnathan,
I was planning to do a how-to on the couplers but got tied up with some other projects.
I basically cut the hook off the Rapido coupler, drilled a .040" hole in the center of the face into the shank of the coupler. O then drilled another hole on each side of the first hole. I then trimmed and filed them out to form the pocket for the link. Pieces of plastic were glued on the sides and top, then a hole for the pin was drilled and the coupler was filed to shape.
I wish I had taken photos as I built them, it would help show how they were made. I plan to make more of them in the future, I will get some photos then.