1:35th TACL rail tractor

[Bernhard]

Let's continue with the running gear of the rail tractor.

[Bernhard]

The wheel bearings of the prototype are cast.
(Photo by Ben V.)

[Bernhard]

Since I can't mill the form this way, I make the wheel bearings from two parts, which are soldered together.
As always with such parts, I first mill a profile with the appropriate cross-section.

[Bernhard]

Then the hole for the axle is drilled ...

[Bernhard]

... and finally the wheel bearing is cut off with the circular saw blade like a sausage slice.

[Bernhard]

The four complete wheel bearings are then assembled from the individual parts.

[Bernhard]

The wheel bearings can slide in the guides just like the prototype.

[Bernhard]

In my leftover box I found suitable springs and shortened them to the right length. The ends are grinded, then I made them glowing with the soldering torch and put them cleanly on the last coil.

[Bernhard]

Now, with the help of a jig, the three axles are mounted on the frame at the correct distance and exactly parallel to each other.

[Bernhard]

And then the vehicle stands on its own wheels for the first time.

[Bernhard]

The rail tractor has an interesting drive concept:
Two chains lead from the rear axle of the Fordson to an intermediate shaft. From there the drive is transmitted to the rear axle either via two sprockets or via a chain. A clutch can thus be used to switch from forward to reverse drive.
The rear axle then drives the front axle via another chain.

[Bernhard]

Unfortunately, there are no working scale roller chains for 1:35th scale. Therefore I had the chains etched. Three plates per chain are glued together.

[Bernhard]

The hubs of the sprockets are mounted as separate turned parts.

[Bernhard]

And this is what the finished drive looks like from below.

[Bernhard]

The chain guard boxes are still missing. For weight reasons, these are not made of brass, but of plastic.
The outer form is milled on the rotary table.

Bernhard