Two H0 wagon W-iron projects in progress
Entry posted by readingtype in wagons
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Firstly, I have some replacement W-irons (Achshälter) from Epoche3D in Germany [one is on the right hand end of this E-wagen]. They travelled (adventurously but very slowly, once they reached the UK) through the semi-blockade. These are 3D printed replacements for the rather wibbly units used quite widely on Klein Modellbahn H0 wagons. The photo isn't great but you can see that they correct two faults in the original versions. Firstly the shape of the 'irons' is too narrow at the top. Secondly the axleboxes (Achslager) are very shallow mouldings, 2.3mm from the outer face to the inner face instead of 3.9mm on the replacements. The 3D mouldings are in a resin that can be gently bent. They need a little bit of cleaning up to remove a few artifacts of printing. They accept 2mm diameter plain brass bearings; when fully pushed home these allow the same length of axle as the original. I've replaced the axles with RP25 ones.
Once I have worked out how everything will be held together (not by the coupling mounting, the original design) I will get the other axle sorted and see about some painting. Incidentally the bearings depicted (sorry, not brilliantly well) are the SKF roller bearing pattern used in France, Belgium, the Netherlands etc. Alternatives include the DB roller bearing pattern, which also inspired the Klein one on the left, and the DR oil box which has a distinctive circular cover with four fastening bolts.
If you are interested in European wagons, I recommend a look at Epoche3D's web site. The owner specialises in private-owner wagons and there are some interesting models to look at -- prints can be ordered on request. I mention this as a satisfied customer, nothing more :-)
Secondly I have an LS Models/Modern Gala SNCF K van. This is an interesting model that is built very much like a plastic kit with many parts of the underframe glued into place. It originally had absolutely dreadful pizza-cutter wheels that totally let it down. The W-irons on this model are the right shape but they bowed outwards so the axles were loose. I tried replacing the wheels but everything was sloppy and horrible and there was something wrong about the way the new wheels looked.
Then I realised that they were too small. The UIC standard wagons have wheels 1,000mm in diameter, and it looks as though many earlier wagons in Germany also had wheels of this size (perhaps being nice and straightforward rational number). The French wagons preceeding the adoption of UIC designs have bigger wheels. By roughly 10%, which is most convenient as that's the magic ratio between 1:87 and 1:76, allowing me to use Alan Gibson wheels that in 1:76 scale represent the 1,000mm wheel or rather its imperial equivalent. Converting that into the model's dimensions that is the replacement of a standard H0 11mm wheel with an 00/EM 12mm solid disc carriage wheel.
I still need to sort out the W-irons. I have discovered that the axleboxes and springs are glued in parts and these seem to have contributed to the distortion. I've prised them off and I am gently 'persuading' the W-irons to return to a sensible shape. The Gibson wheels are great but being for 00/EM models they are much too long and so I am, with a bit of consultancy from a club member who is well qualified to advice, shortening the axles and cutting new pinpoints. But trial and error is needed to work out the best length to cut the axle back to, because of the pre-existing distortion.
Hopefully it all goes back together again, looks better and runs well. The brake blocks might be thought to need taking back, but if so it will only be a touch. No, the original wheels were not the correct diameter as far as I know. I banished them because they were bad and before taking any measurements!
Edited by readingtype
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