Spanish Occre Tram build

Thanks for the welcome and the location to get the kit!
I have ordered on from Ginea and we'll see what I can do when it arrives.

My intention is to scan all the laser cut sheets into the computer and using a CAD program to trace and enlarge them to 1/12th scale then get it all laser cut thereby making a larger scale kit in effect. I am intending to use G64 track which is 63.5mm gauge and is made by Garden Railway Specialists for standard gauge G scale models, it consists of plastic sleeper sections into which you put the rail as in 45mm gauge track. It is slightly under scale coming out at 2ft 6in gauge but
is readily available - in a big box in my workshop! I could model it in 7/8ths scale then the track would gauge out at 2ft 9in, a little closer.

Power will be from a laser cut steel inner chassis and a motor sized according to how heavy the body turns out to be. The size of the vehicle should allow some
decent batteries to be carried as well. I intend to automate the new tramway as I am not one to 'play trains' but simply like to 'watch the trains go by' from
the comfort of my pool! When I make the actual OcCre kit I will use a suitable motor block from Bachmann or Aristocraft etc.

Any help would be much appreciated Patrick - Thanks!

Mike

My Soller Tram arrived today from Guinea and it looks a nice kit. I have scanned in a couple of sheets already but can't try the up-scaling to 1:12 until I have a fixed measurement from the prototype or a scale drawing. I don't think I can just double everything as by the looks of it this is bigger than 1:24 scale!

So, anyone give me the measurement of the width of a side window from a scale drawing please and I'll get on scaling up!

TIA

Mike

Seems a laborious way round it but I presume you've tried getting plans direct.

I'm sure I could find some plans of French trams but I don't know about Spanish varieties.

What are you going to do with the actual 1:24 model kit now.....
Are you going to build it as it is?

Hi Carl

I have tried various sources for plans but can only get small scale. When you say, "getting plans direct" direct from whom? I am beginning to think I shall have to take my wife away for a 'little weekend' and make sure to pack a tape measure!

Once I have fully scanned it in I shall build it and run it along the same track bed (dual gauge 45 / 63.5) whilst I work on scaling up the scans and putting them into CAD and getting that laser cut into a kit. Might take some time me thinks!

Cheers

Mike

Yup Mike, it looks like the only way to do it, unless you take and average body and scale it all based on a photograph. I suppose if you are going to go to all that trouble you should get it right but I am wondering who really cares - it'll be a fantastic model regardless.

Oh and yes it does take a while to build - it's a big help if you read the instructions and not plough on thinking you have a better way to do it.

Hmmm.... Just scanning last sheet and found I am one missing Its the fret with four of the seats on it...

Going to email Guinea and see what they can do.

Yep, this is a proper 'Craftsman Kit' as they would say in the US. Still I am used to building those and this looks like not too much of a problem. But then again looks can be deceiving!

Cheers

Mike

Just found a well taken head-on photo and knowing the track gauge to be 914mm was able to measure of that the width of the window glass for the center window is approx 900mm. On the model the same measurement is 45mm so the scale is 1:20. On with the up-scaling!

So much for the stated 1:24 scale then!

Cheers

Mike

Mmmmmmmmm did think my 1/24 bodies looked a bit small for it.

I have found the fret that you ain't got - sans seatbacks - I can scan it if it's any use - hell I even measured it with a micrometer instead of guessing. 68.64 x 98.75 mms. Course you need the scan - what format works for you ?

Oh and thanks very much bud, during my search it became apparent that I have several million fiddly parts still to go - and I thought I was nearly there.

BTW whats the connection with GRS before I put my foot in it. I have seen your name on the forum in the past I am sure.

pjti wrote:

Mmmmmmmmm did think my 1/24 bodies looked a bit small for it.

I have found the fret that you ain't got - sans seatbacks - I can scan it if it's any use - hell I even measured it with a micrometer instead of guessing. 68.64 x 98.75 mms. Course you need the scan - what format works for you ?

Oh and thanks very much bud, during my search it became apparent that I have several million fiddly parts still to go - and I thought I was nearly there.

BTW whats the connection with GRS before I put my foot in it. I have seen your name on the forum in the past I am sure.

Hi Patrick

Many thanks for the offer of a scan but I got a reply back from Guinea at, would you believe 23:19 CET last night! Wow! that's Customer Service for you! A nice apologetic man (Juan) promised to order a replacement part on Monday. Ten out of ten guys!

Those several million fiddly parts always seem to hide in the darkest recesses of the box so you don't know they are there, then when you think you are nearly done they jump out and surprise you just to keep you on your toes!

GRS. These days, I design and print all their waterslide transfers (decals) and do some R & D work. When I lived in the UK I would go work in the shop some days to help out or help at exhibitions etc. Pourquoi? ¿Por qué?

I don't remember ever visiting these forums before, just looked at the membership list and can't find a username there in the old ones that rings a bell.. So where have we met, electronically or in person, before I wonder?

Cheers for now

Mike

Sorry Mike , I mean the GRS forums. I thought I saw your name in a post once. Dunno what it was about but I remember the poster (you ?) was in Spain.

My claim to fame with GRS is that a few years ago at Warley I picked up a catalogue from under the table and was about to walk away with it when I took a look at the guy, who did not look happy. I asked if they were not free and he pointed to a sign that said they were £6 - I apologised and handed it back, I couldn't believe it, Squires were literally throwing their catalogue at folk for nothing. A while later, as they were clearing up, I went and bought a few small white metal bits and introduced myself as the person what made the mistake, again I apologised. Not even a smile or a thankyou , I will always remember that moment. Anyway "de nada".


Do you have your own laser cutter to do all this work ?

And a thought, it's ok to scale up based on a window (front view) but what about the overall length ? You should really double check that as well and not take it that OCCRE got it right if what you say about the actual scale is correct, although I see no reason why they should produce a deatiled kit like that and then get the size wrong.

Carl, any input re. your Madrid tram, is that to scale ?

Hasta wavo, got a GP to watch.

Hi Patrick

Oh the GRS Forums. I first set the forums up and and still a moderator although when I got GRS to 'computerise' the forums went over to the new system. I drop by there once in a while but there's not much going on there so its a long time between visits.

Catalogues. Hmmm I really don't know how Squires do it, its one hell of a loss leader. I used to run a publishing company that published The Review and books, and know just how much something like that costs to produce and print. They must print millions to get the price each down to a size they can afford to give away..

I will go through more photos and see if I can scale off the length just to be sure - good idea! Although, as you say, I doubt they have got it totally wrong...

I don't have a laser cutter, but am certainly looking at finding one as I think there could be a market in the 1:12 scale line for various railway vehicles (coaches, wagons, trams even) who knows?

Cheers for now

Mike

definately a market in 1/22.5 as well!

mikey

Have you been to http://www.brandbright.co.uk/ ? They have a lot of laser cut wood coaches etc and are in the process of converting all their wood stock to laser cut.

Cheers

Mike

Oh come on mikeyh, be honest - you'd just want the laser offcuts to recycle.

pjti wrote:

Carl, any input re. your Madrid tram, is that to scale ?

Difficult to say Patrick without actual drawings to compare to but up against a Bachman tram it certainly looks right.

Here are some pics that you have probably seen before.





What a stupid looking figure driving the Bachman, straight out of Disney Adventureland. Clive's man is much more the part.

Now I know where I have crossed paths with Mike Brown...... at GRS. I visited the shop a few times (and bought) when I used to work in Aylesbury and travel back to Berkshire.

I've always had good service from them.....of course.....

Which is why I was always nice to the customers! You never know when or where you'll run in to them again!

Cheers

Mike

Just as an update. (don't know if I should start a new topic really but...)

I have caught up with a friend in the US who is a whizz at AutoCad and have sent him a scan of one of the sheet of parts for the OcCre Tram. He is going to see if he can trace it and upscale it, then I will see if I can alter it to according to its new scale, more detail perhaps.

The chassis can be laser cut steel rather than wood and I'll remaster the cast parts and have them fabricated to a better standard. I might have to make more than one set of parts if I run into minimum runs with the laser cutting or casting...

More as and when...

Mike

Good, was wondering how things were progressing - I take it the "missing" sheet came through. Its all very quiet here at the mo' so any news is good news.
Regards
Patrick

Hi patrick

Yes the missing part is here safe and sound.

Cheers

Mike

I have found out so far that for laser cut steel chassis parts the more I have the cheaper (?) they get and 10, which is 5 sets, is the lowest break point. Twenty five is where the savings really start to come in which is 12.5 sets. I am waiting for an answer on laser cut wood parts yet but I suspect they won't be much different on break points for cost. I haven't costed the castings either yet.

I am looking at 5 sets to make in different styles and as bases for other freelance designs so anyone else interested in a 1:12 scale kit of a Soller tram at cost price? I am not intending on going into profit making business!