'Something new' (2)... another diesel

 Well not brand new, but using up the bits left from yesterday's dis-assembly; decided to make up another track powered diesel loco based on the LGB motion.

The bits selected ...

trial fit of parts...

The loco works has two build assembly jobs to complete and some spare parts for the new track cleaning loco when it arrives (grinding wheels, light housings and light bulbs).

Ouch my wallet ! Dis-assembly and 'something new' ....

 The old track cleaning loco - its cleaning days are over, the grinding motor part is defunct; I've had to buy another one - I've found a reasonably priced second hand one (£300 !! ouch my wallet !! 😢). The old loco, arrived for service on the CVR in 2009 (second hand buy),  so it has lasted me 13 years

Off to the loco works for dis-assembly ....😟

Another loco which is a spare, a Playmobil RC battery powered one 

- it too got sent to the loco works 😕

But bits from both (the Playmobil chassis plus the LGB cab and body will make a new battery powered diesel 😀; all other useful spare parts to be kept (an LGB motion for spare is always handy)

First outdoor running session this year ...

 Yesterday I cleared the weeds from the track and topped up the track ballast in a number of places.  Today I did a first running session of the year outside using a couple of RC battery locos.

Yard Crane and low loader wagon completed ...

The yard crane (after a few fix ups and a lick of paint) is now in place on the garage layout ...

The low loader wagon has been given its paint job and is now ready for service ...

Work now finished on adding more wagons to the rolling stock. I'm going to add a new small shelf for storage in the garage then make up some suitable loads for the low loader and other flat wagons.

Yard Crane and low loader wagon (WIP)

I'm currently working on two items, both from an Ebay purchase; two old IP Engineering wagon kits that had already been built but needed repair and refurbishment.

Firstly a a crane wagon, the wagon wasn't worth fixing up; which is OK as I bought it for the crane. I used part of the flat wagon body to make a base for the crane. I've repaired the crane and mounted it up on the base - it will head out to a goods yard on the garage layout when finished.

The other item was a low loader wagon, quite long wheel base. Quite a fixer-upper but worth the effort, currently waiting for a slot in the wagon works paint shop ...

Prototype couplings...

 Made up a couple of prototype couplings using the part of an LGB coupling that fits to the under frame along with some plasti-card to mount an Accucraft coupling.

Less intrusive and fine for most wagons, using the chopper part of an Accucraft coupling

more robust, using all of an Accucraft coupling

Each will suit different types of wagon and loco; when refined will allow an easy swap out of the LGB couplings on rolling stock and locos.

'Converter' Wagon...

Used up the last wagon under frame from the Ebay job lot; I made a two plank wagon top out of cardboard and set it up with LGB coupling one end and at the other an Accucraft chopper coupling. So can use to connect between rolling stock fitted with either (while I figure out the best way to change out the LGB couplings on some of my rolling stock).  

Shipped out of the wagon works with coat of PVA glue then painted in grey with black for the iron-work; followed by a couple of coats of satin varnish.