Lego G scale (1:22.5) - Toy Train #2 - "ABL"

[Paperinik77pk]

Hi all,

I began to design again on 1:22.5 scale in these days - and I wanted to add a (only digital, for the moment ) new friend to my already built #1 Toy Locomotive, which I extensively used during last summer. Here's a picture of #1 during a nightly stroll:

 

Since in the last months I began to look around into the H0 scale trains (especially old italian ones made by Lima and Rivarossi), I wanted to give a try to a little Rivarossi model I love, the "ABL" (picture taken from internet - www.rivarossi-memory.it) 

This little thing in H0 scale is a fantasy model inspired by small locomotives made by "Antonio Badoni Lecco" (or "ABL") company. According to some books, the real prototype should be the "ABL VII SPA 15T", produced only in standard gauge. I love this model and I'm trying to buy one, but prices are prohibitive.

So, starting from the same chassis and motor of my #1, I prepared a small, narrow gauge version of the Rivarossi ABL. Teorically it's a fantasy model of a fantasy model maybe based on a real locomotive. Which has never been intended for narrow gauge. Perfect start, I'd say!!! 

And here it is, simple , sturdy and...with a sort of funny "face" 

The hood, being narrow, is more similar to the original prototype than to the Rivarossi model. I kept the "mouth-like" grille , removed the double buffers and kept the red color of the front part of the chassis only on the single buffer. Transmission is rod-based as in the yellow #1. The two headlights are made this way since (as you can see in the first picture) they seem to better diffuse the light.

Also the #2 runs only on G-scale track (45mm), as the yellow #1.

Both locomotives are moved by small PuP battery boxes. I tried the M-motor on the #1 and it works fine on small trains. I would like to try the L-motor, which has more torque.

I updated a bit also the handle bars on the #1 (they were too thick and I want them to be thinner).

The Rivarossi model has two...well....red things over the roof, two horns and a black grille. They seem air reservoirs, or maybe mufflers? I don't know, sincerely. There are two small windows under the rear headlights. These were present in a lot of Badoni locomotives - for easier approach during shunting - so I thought their presence was a good idea also on this little thing.  As you can see, I did not build the doors. It can be done easily, but I wanted to recall the open solution used on  #1.  

 

 

As you can see it's not rocket science, and it's also quite economical to build  

I hope you like it!!!

Ciao!

Davide

 

 

 

Edited March 20, 2021 by Paperinik77pk

[Toxic43]

This is great! I'm in the market for a G Scale loco as my father in law has a layout in his back garden I would like to run on. Something about seeing a Lego G Scale loco running around with the Bachmann Thomas and Friends G Scale stuff just seems like it was meant to be!

Your model with the shared platform is exactly what I'm looking for. I love the grille. At first I was like "Why hasn't he used an arch brick?", went off to Bricklink to suggest one then I was like "Oh, that's why!".

I like the fantasy aspect. Doesn't have to be modelled exactly to work well. But this does work well, oh so well. Great stuff!

By any chance do you have any renders of just the running platform shared between the two? There are limited resources for Lego on G Scale and I'm just starting out really. Many thanks.

[Paperinik77pk]

7 hours ago, Toxic43 said:

This is great! I'm in the market for a G Scale loco as my father in law has a layout in his back garden I would like to run on. Something about seeing a Lego G Scale loco running around with the Bachmann Thomas and Friends G Scale stuff just seems like it was meant to be!

Your model with the shared platform is exactly what I'm looking for. I love the grille. At first I was like "Why hasn't he used an arch brick?", went off to Bricklink to suggest one then I was like "Oh, that's why!".

I like the fantasy aspect. Doesn't have to be modelled exactly to work well. But this does work well, oh so well. Great stuff!

By any chance do you have any renders of just the running platform shared between the two? There are limited resources for Lego on G Scale and I'm just starting out really. Many thanks.

Hi! And thanks for your interest! 

Sure, here's a photo of the motor:

It's an M PuP motor driving one axle, and then rods are transmitting power to the other axle. Very simple and easy to do. In this photo you see  the gears for normal operation (a little faster with medium pulling power - 1.667:1 gear ratio). In case of "mountain railway" you could either try an L motor (more torque) or a 3:1 gear ratio.

I am currently using the M motor with 3:1 gears.

These locomotives have a flat chassis, but being so big, you can make higher motors, and use also XL beasts 

 

I hope this helps!!! (Just in case, I'm here )

Ciao!

Davide

[Toxic43]

Wow! Thanks for the reply! That chassis looks great, and easy enough to make. I needed to get the dimensions right and yours has done it perfectly. I have most of the parts to knock something together. Maybe now I'll get on and do it this weekend!?

I'm waiting on a copy of 42065 to arrive so I can strip the receiver and two L motors out to use in trains. I'll try an L on it's own first. But my Father in law has a lot of rolling stock to pull, so maybe two hard coupled L motors with a reduction gear ratio? I'll try it out and maybe even post a picture or two if I can get it working.

[Paperinik77pk]

5 hours ago, Toxic43 said:

Wow! Thanks for the reply! That chassis looks great, and easy enough to make. I needed to get the dimensions right and yours has done it perfectly. I have most of the parts to knock something together. Maybe now I'll get on and do it this weekend!?

I'm waiting on a copy of 42065 to arrive so I can strip the receiver and two L motors out to use in trains. I'll try an L on it's own first. But my Father in law has a lot of rolling stock to pull, so maybe two hard coupled L motors with a reduction gear ratio? I'll try it out and maybe even post a picture or two if I can get it working.

As far as I learned, it's all a matter of trial and error - regarding gear ratios and motors, weight and traction. Dimensions of the chassis are blatantly copied from the original LGB locomotive , so 14 studs wide and 26 long (then you've to add buffers) 

I can show you here how's the little M motor works with the faster gear ratio:

Having some up and downs in the garden, I had to change the gear ratio and to add rubber bands for traction . But a bigger motor is HIGHLY recommended.

Ciao!

Davide