Skip to main content

Hello All,

As my search for a McCoy Wapid Wabbit continues, I figured in the mean time I'll make my own. I just found a Cragstan Autobus on eBay and I know I have a set of trucks from a #35 passenger car for up front. For power I was thinking if using a #50 gang car, removing all the parts I don't need and maybe installing a set of wheels from a 254 or something. I know a few people on the board have built these, does anyone know what the best power source would be?

Thank you,

Sam

Here's my inspiration

PICT5-150%20copystandard-gauge-autobus-railbus_1_279ace9a1b768e9cc3833ab03a428e6a

Attachments

Images (2)
  • PICT5-150%20copy
  • standard-gauge-autobus-railbus_1_279ace9a1b768e9cc3833ab03a428e6a
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

JohnnieWalker posted:

I too am making my own rail bus and like you,   I'm in need of a power truck for the rear .  I found nothing at York this year and I haven't seen anything on eBay.  It just might be time to make/ cobble together my  own power truck .  Keep us posted on what you find .

I picked up a #50 gang car. It's small flat design should be easy to hide. I need to extend the wheels but that's shouldn't be a huge issue. Everything came in yesterday and so far I've stripped the 50 down to the essentials and removed the bottom of the autobus where the friction drive is.

CJ Meyers posted:

Ira Keeler makes a nice replacement floor motor for the McCoy trolleys and rail bus. I got one from him to fix my Interurban trolley. Just a thought for your project. Search this Standard Gauge forum for his contact info.

I do like that idea but I'm trying to build this on the cheap. But I'll still reach out to him and get some pricing

CJ Meyers posted:

Ira Keeler makes a nice replacement floor motor for the McCoy trolleys and rail bus. I got one from him to fix my Interurban trolley. Just a thought for your project. Search this Standard Gauge forum for his contact info.

 I have spoken to him several times and I have two of his creations, one under my McCoy Camden trolley and one going under my PrideLines #2  Lionel repro trolley.  I would like to be able to make my own at some point. I have been experimenting but nothing has satisfied me at this time .  I do have an American Flyer S gauge steam locomotive  motor that will be  my next attempt .  

CJ Meyers posted:

Ira Keeler makes a nice replacement floor motor for the McCoy trolleys and rail bus. I got one from him to fix my Interurban trolley. Just a thought for your project. Search this Standard Gauge forum for his contact info.

I have not talked to Ira in a while, but posts from other groups has indicated he is having health issues and not making motors. I have used a half dozen of his motors and need more.

Steve

Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:
CJ Meyers posted:

Ira Keeler makes a nice replacement floor motor for the McCoy trolleys and rail bus. I got one from him to fix my Interurban trolley. Just a thought for your project. Search this Standard Gauge forum for his contact info.

I have not talked to Ira in a while, but posts from other groups has indicated he is having health issues and not making motors. I have used a half dozen of his motors and need more.

Steve

Please keep us posted on his well doing.  Very nice guy to chat with and a great find for the McCoy motors .  Fingers crossed he gets well .  I bought this trolley with a crumbling motor and wheels and Ira saved the day with one of his motors.IMG_2860 [1)

Attachments

Images (1)
  • IMG_2860 (1)

I would go with the gang car. Just buy longer axles and be prepared to press on the worm gear and make bushings. Been done a lot of times. The 254 wheels should work, retaining the third rail pickup. Seen guys add another single pickup in order to get more consistent contact. And if you are really bold, can attach the reversing gear to the bumpers and have a bump and go rail bus.

I have parts for a Ford Woodie that will become a rail car - an old Hubley kit. Karl Rammling made one, another member owns it now, a beautiful conversion. Used the powered axle only on the  gang car. I got my gang car for $10.

Jim

Jim Waterman posted:

I would go with the gang car. Just buy longer axles and be prepared to press on the worm gear and make bushings. Been done a lot of times. The 254 wheels should work, retaining the third rail pickup. Seen guys add another single pickup in order to get more consistent contact. And if you are really bold, can attach the reversing gear to the bumpers and have a bump and go rail bus.

I have parts for a Ford Woodie that will become a rail car - an old Hubley kit. Karl Rammling made one, another member owns it now, a beautiful conversion. Used the powered axle only on the  gang car. I got my gang car for $10.

Jim

I did pick up a gang car on the cheap and I had a truck with roller for a #35/36 that will work up front. I need to cut a decent size hole in the floor to fit the motor in but I think that should be easy enough. 

Last edited by samdjr74
Steve "Papa" Eastman posted:

Here are some pictures of my motor blocks, both sizes. On the larger one, you can see I spread the wheels to fit STD Gauge track. I have not added spacers yet to keep the gears centered. Also a picture of the smaller unit by a Autobus for reference. My feeling is it would be best to remove one axle set for this.

Steve

DB43542E-3273-4387-9561-DE943567DDF5A3386884-2FC1-480D-9B31-347EEF97359F

Looks good Steve, thanks! The more I think about it the more I'm leaning towards taking a MTH or K-Line handcar and using that as a base, then making extension axles or something. Reason being, the flat design is better then the #50.

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×