A CR 323 class part 3, chassis
Next step is to get on with some chassis building.
Drummond designed these engines with a 7’6 + 8’9 wheelbase. This layout proved successful and was repeated on a number of subsequent designs. I therefore started with a set of Gibson milled frames for the 782 class, these are solid and of a heavier brass than normally found in etch kits.
First things first. A set of coupling rods. These are the Gibson universal etch, soldered up so that the fluted parts go to the inside creating plain rods.
Basic frames made up. The spacers are double sided copperclad, the strong glass fibre type. I didn’t include a vertical spacer, solder it all up vertical and it stays like that, one advantage of the thicker Gibson frames. The 323s were long at the rear, 8’ 8 3/4 “ from rear axle cl to buffer face. These frames have been extended to suit, a bit more than needed so I can trim them to the rear of the buffer beam when the footplate is made up. Brake hangers are 1 mm od brass tube, makes the brakes an easier fit later.
I have given it a coat of black, I know a lot will come off but so long as the areas behind the wheels stay on I’ll be happy.
A running chassis. All very conventional with a simple compensation beam. The plunger pickups are 1mm brass rod in a brass tube with a 9 thou guitar string spring. I have had issues with the Gibson style plungers in the past and if they go wrong its a devil of a job getting at them. This way they can be removed and replaced easily. Carbon brushes might be better, if I could think of a way of making them. High level gearbox and a Chinese motor, final position to be worked out later.
Of course the question is does it run? A bit of video of it scuttling back and forth through pointwork.
Footplate next.
Edited by Dave John
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