The BNR (another way)

[pete12345]

I think it's a good case for changing the main line engine to a pair of doubleheaded 0-4-0s for working the branch. The two could be semi-permanently coupled and wired to share pickups.

[Ken Shabby]

The Airfix 4F with it's 6 wheel drive motor in the tender might be a capable loco for the branch line.

Ken

[GeraldH]

To reduce track maintenance the procurement department have now banned locos with traction tyres and tender drive on the BNR . There's just a few long serving Lima and Hornby diesels left. The line does have a preserved Hornby loco drive 4F, though the traction tyred wheelset has been replaced with a plain wheelset - it is still surprisingly powerful and can take 2-3 coaches up the branchline. The most effective steam locos on the steep gradients and sharp (1st radius curves) are the large tank engines like the Airfix/Mainline/Hornby 61xx (the old version with traction tyred wheelsets replaced on the Airfix ones), split chassis Ivatt 2-6-2 tanks and the Bachmann 56XX (though this needs large loop couplings on curves). The modern centre drive diesels are also very effective.

The operational challenge of getting trains up the steep gradients and round the sharp curves are all part of the fun . The operating ore train with it's 7-8 heavyweight wagons is the major issue and rather than put strain on the preserved steam locos, this is usually handled by centre drive diesels. The few remaining diesels with traction tyres have been trialled on the ore train, but they often go into an uncontrolled wheelslip when passing over the operating ramp for the mail coach at Globble Island at the top of the incline.

[manna]

G'Day Gents

One type of loco that may help, might be a 'White-metal' bodied engine, A 'K's' J50 body on a Hornby Dublo/Wrenn chassis are pretty powerful.

manna

[Mountain]

G'Day Gents

One type of loco that may help, might be a 'White-metal' bodied engine, A 'K's' J50 body on a Hornby Dublo/Wrenn chassis are pretty powerful.

manna

While you mention that, a standard Dublo or Wrenn class 08 is pretty weighty even though it has a plastic body.
(I realize the chassis you are referring to is the R1 which is not the heavyweight as the 08 is if we are comparing chassis. The weight of a white metal body will make the difference).

Some Hornby Dublo (Or Wrenn) locos were real strong heavyweights for their size such as the metal bodied 0-6-2T's the 2-6-4T's, the Duchess' or the A4's, but ensure one buys a 2-rail version if running it on 2-rail track!

[GeraldH]

A Wrenn 08 is one of the BNR's longest serving locos and also one of the best performers on the gradients .