Mainline Dean Goods loco conversion to EM

[Michael DaviesParticipant]

Does anyone have any experience of this conversion usingusing a Comet models chassis kit? Indeed given that the motor will have sit in the space where the cab is is it achievable.

Should I be looking to drive the loco from the tender?

Any advice would be welcome.

[Paul TomlinsonParticipant]

Michael, have you considered the chassis kit from High Level? Here are the details, and if you go onto the site you can download the instructions, so you can see what’s involved in the construction. They are highly detailed and therefore (IMO) quite complex, but they’re generally thought to be of a high standard.

https://www.highlevelkits.co.uk/product-page/gwr-dean-goods

[Dai DaviesParticipant]

Hello Michael, I have a Dean Goods and two Collett equivalents with Perseverance or Comet chassis. Each has the rear axle driven on the loco, either with the motor heading into the boiler or vertically in the boiler/firebox. There is limited – or no – intrusion into the cab.

[Michael DaviesParticipant]

Many thanks for your responses, I think I need to give the inside of the loco cab some more thought as to how the motor can be accommodated. The High Level kit looks very sophisticated but I guess you can exclude internal workings etc.

[Paul TomlinsonParticipant]

Michael, I’d suggest for this application a motor/gearbox combo allowing the motor to be positioned vertically in the firebox. The High Level RoadRunner, LoadHauler and HiFlier are options – e.g. in the Rumney chassis kit for the J15, Justin suggests a HiFlier with the motor pointing up into the firebox. In my photo below you can see the lifesize gearbox profiles I’ve downloaded, and you might be able to spot the one I’ve cut out and pasted onto my kit drawing.

 

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[Michael DaviesParticipant]

Thankyou Paul, another option/avenue to explore.

[Bob AllisonParticipant]

Don’t be put off by all the bits included in (eg) HLK’s chassis kits. Lots of parts does not always equate to complexity – it depends on how easily the various components go together and whether everything fits the way it is meant to.  Guy Williams built a Malcolm Mitchell etched prairie kit for Pendon and later described it as a “beginners kit” for exactly those reasons.

But whether you buy into that logic or not, there really is no excuse for a motor in the cab these days.  Especially one so open as a Dean Goods.

Bob

[Paul WillisParticipant]

The High Level Kits chassis for the Dean Goods is specifically designed to have the motor in the firebox.  No need at all to intrude into the cab.  It is shown well here:

https://www.highlevelkits.co.uk/product-page/gwr-dean-goods

Having built High Level locomotives before, I’d also say that the quality of them is beyond superlative.  Really easy to build and a joy to make with it.

best,

Paul

[Michael DaviesParticipant]

Hi,, I have purchased a High Level gearbox which will allow me to have the motor located in the smokebox.

Thankyou to everyone who gave advice on this issue. It shows the benefits of this type of forum where members give advice to help fellow members.

Regards Mike

[James LucasParticipant]

Mike.

I am very interested in how you have progressed with this kit and how you found following the instructions?

May be looking to order one myself!

Thanks.

James.

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