18v Battery Power

I recently saw a post about 18v Battery Power being used on model trains as a source of motive power, the sort you might use on a drill or any 18v tool really. I did have a broken electric weed eater which I abused in wet conditions stupidly wrecking the motor (situated right near the blade & thus the air cooling method almost attracted the water). I salvaged the battery plugs & wired up a Radio R/C train controller which had an input voltage of between 6- 28vdc which I have been wiring up to various diesels. I did find a "Low cost Reversible Speed Controller 6 to 28V FC 3A" on Trademe for $10 from a chap in wellington and have so far used it on the Ka build, it lacks remote control so once she goes there's no stopping it, on the other hand there's no more having the train jerk on bad patches of track which caused considerable headaches and stole the "fun" away. This morning when testing the "Ka" I was able to straight away focus on lining up the wheels & correcting the wobble rather than scrubbing track clean of bird poop and then still having to go back over missed spots.

In the future I have a crazy plan of running a single track alongside the 7.25" starting from the other side of the shed following the 7.25  downhill, alongside the fence and perhaps once at the bottom a return loop initially, since its not going to be electrically live I'm thinking about cheaper rail alternatives such as aluminum rail or some L section of some material?

Ozito 18v

Dx easily makes room for the battery, with 2 motor bogies it lasts about 3-4 hours

The smaller locos that can't fit a battery will have to drag these W wagons, the wagon top sits in place securely on the chassis held with a friction fit.

The tender holds the battery, the single motor chassis lasted an hours running today and battery is 3/4 full, before I took the photo I wired up the carriage lights to the Ka, with the speed on minimum the lights turn on while the loco remains stationary.

Trademe Seller - "chripy" $10 NZD Low cost Reversible Speed Controller 6 to 28V FC 3A

Pretty empty train for the school holidays, the lights need to be in the end corridors when running, and then also the main lights when at a station etc. Since the lights are 12v led strip that runs the entire length putting out way to much light I will reduce the light strip into small sections

Ka & Kb (Full Streamlining) Pictures

After going through grandfather's photo album on J's & K's I found a few relevant pics handy for detailing I may as well share, rather than keeping them hidden away.
Interestingly the streamlining was removed 1948 - 49 when the A C F I feed water heating apparatus was removed. Kb were built at hillside (not Hutt) and were fitted with a booster two-cylinder auxiliary engine which could be cut in at low speed for starting or heavy grades.

NZR Ka Class

NZR Ka Class

NZR Ka Class

NZR Kb Class

NZR Kb Class

NZR Kb Class

1:24 Ka class, continued..

1:24 Ka

Using 4 Wheels, 1 motor & gearbox on permanent loan from

 2x Bachmann anniversary 4-6-0 $50 chassis blocks. I've used the pony trucks, I had to shorten the front truck & solder things back together. I've then 3d printed a Ka around it.

I'm usually shy when it comes to taking photos of its underside as my detail is somewhat lacking, but I think its interesting enough in this case.

The boiler needs a few more passes with the sandpaper, then detailing can begin.

Bachmann anniversary 4-6-0 wheels, motor & gearbox

First Run

1:24 Ka hauling 3x 50ft'ers, 2 carriages now have the handrails added. Need to add more weight for traction, Currently 3kg

Early morning run
Poem from Frank Robert's book, "Steam in Miniature"

I love to see the K arrive,
So well controlled, yet so alive.
I feel the shaking, quaking ground,
Awaremess of approaching sound.

Hear the clattering, puffing snifter,
As the driver shuts the drifter.
Then the greedy rushing suction,
What a racket, what a ruction!

Clanging rods with ringing steel,
Grinding brakes on rumbling wheel.
All to me makes such appeal,
I wonder oft what others feel.

Last night while reading Frank Robert's book, "Steam in Miniature" I found a picture of the inner cab of K 900 & 916, which is not exactly a Ka but is better than nothing.
I thought I'd share this picture from the book as its a valuable modeling aid, he very much set the standard high. I do wonder what he'd say to the modern methods I employ....

Boiler blackhead so far.. Yes this will be available seperatly for nz120 once finished, obviously scaled down with considerations made. I've designed it so I can put a $12 fire flickering Led inside the firebox & it will shine through. Going to use the clear pipe from a ballpoint pen that holds the ink for the water level gauges. Just to be clear, my Intent is to eventually print the correct one for the Ka with the butterfly firebox doors, might even make the doors functioning. I promised myself I would print a Dx next but since I've finally got a good cheap source of crucial working parts for the powered mountain chassis, and the ability to print the chassis at any axle spacing I desire, I may as well print the K.

1:24 Ka Class

1:24 Ka & Tender, basic shell finished, far more sanding to go, sitting on a J chassis for the photo. For the chassis I'll use driving wheels, motor & gearbox from bachmann Usa

NZ120 Streamlined Ka

Today saw the arrival of the 3d Printed (Shapeways) Streamlined Ka, There is room for a LED at the top of the smokebox, which will allow light through the front headlight & side number boards.

After some dry brushing for highlighting the detail for the camera

A picture of the Ka after a LED fitted.

Not so prototypical, but perhaps in the future maybe Kiwirail might let Mainline Steam borrow some of them modern Ak Carriages..

 A video of it doing a lap.

Streamlined Ka

Streamlined Ka. Designed off the recent K model with the shroud based on when they first entered service.

Following the success of the K class, there was a need for more similar locomotives in the North Island. The new locomotives incorporated a number of improvements, including a re-designed plate frame to eliminate the cracking issues the K class were experiencing; roller bearings on all wheels; hydrostatic lubrication throughout; and the inclusion of the ACFI feedwater heater system as pioneered by K 919. As the ACFI equipment was criticised for its aesthetic appearance, it was obscured with shrouding fitted to both the K^A class and contemporary K^B class. 
- Sourced from https://en.wikipedia.org