DJ Models Austerity

[Hardwicke]

Has anyone converted a DJ Models Austerity to P4? 2mm stub axles. Solid wheels.

[nigelcliffe]

I've had one apart to discuss EM conversion with a friend. We're going to build the RT Models chassis, and a High Level Gearbox (which will thread things up the firebox into the boiler). Will probably compensate it (springing would be possible). Should still be room for a speaker for sound if wanted by the owner. Wheels probably from Gibson (will fettle them on my lathe before fitting).

Mechanically, I think the DJ model is questionable. Geared axles plus coupling rods is usually a recipe for a mess, the motor is tiny, about the size I'd use in 2mm work, so I doubt its longevity.

- Nigel

[Hardwicke]

I can see that there is no springing, a retrograde step compared to the original Dapol one. The coupling rods are one piece and could do with being two part jointed ones but then the Dapol one is the same. I was assured that P4 would not be a problem but the brakes are tight to the wheels. Again, questionable. Dave said that the wheels are on stub axles so will move outwards which is useful but no one makes the correct Austerity shape unless you model 00. The body however is an improvement. The gas producer one with the conical chimney is particularly nice.

[Hardwicke]

So the answer is, no one has built a P4 one yet.

[Hardwicke]

There seems to be space (just) if the backs of the brake blocks are thinned down. Nice brake linkage underneath. There also seems to be a little slop in the axleboxes to allow some movement, but not a lot. The wheels are very nice and with a spare set it might be feasible to remove the tyres in the lathe and fit P4 rims. I need to do that with the Baby Warship too as there are no wheels available.

[Hardwicke]

Had another close look. I think the brakes will disengage with the cross links which can be replaced with brass rod to the correct length.

[Hardwicke]

20180807_182929.jpg

[Hardwicke]

20180807_183118.jpg

[Hardwicke]

Is it possible to cut the rims off in the lathe and fit new ones from say Gibson? I did this on my Airfix/Kitmaster 04 years ago ( no lathe then, just a hand drill and a file ! ). No one makes P4 Austerity wheels that look correct.

[Armchair Modeller]

The RT Models chassis kit is another option. As you say though, there are no correct wheels to buy.

[Hardwicke]

I have one of those for another austerity. I wanted a quick conversion and the wheel centres are lovely.

[Hardwicke]

I've not done anything with the loco wheels but note that DJ suggest feedback controllers such as a Pentroller will damage the loco. I'm not changing all my controllers for one engine. Is there a fix?

[nigelcliffe]

I've not done anything with the loco wheels but note that DJ suggest feedback controllers such as a Pentroller will damage the loco. I'm not changing all my controllers for one engine. Is there a fix?

Whilst the motor would probably be seen off by a crude low-frequency feedback device (eg. Gaugemaster black-faced types), I'd be surprised if a Pentroller would damage it. I assume DJ know that just about all DCC chips employ back-emf feedback control (admittedly at high frequencies), the model they sell has a decoder socket. That said, I don't think the motor will last very long even if run on a pure-DC battery controller - its feels (I haven't measured it) smaller than the motor I have in a 2mm scale J94. My opinion of the mechanical side of the model is "bound to fail within a couple of years", so anyone wanting one for the body only has to wait a little while for them to come up for sale as non-runners.

A friend has one, we've stripped it down to see what its like and how to make it work on EM. The downhill lumpy running (gears clashing with rod movements) makes it useless on the layout with two significant gradients, so it will get an RT models chassis, and we'll solve the wheels either by "don't care so long as they're round", or dream up something clever.


- Nigel

[Hardwicke]

The downhill lumpy running
- Nigel

Sounds like the real thing in Coal Board days....

[Captain Kernow]

A friend has one, we've stripped it down to see what its like and how to make it work on EM. The downhill lumpy running (gears clashing with rod movements) makes it useless on the layout with two significant gradients, so it will get an RT models chassis, and we'll solve the wheels either by "don't care so long as they're round", or dream up something clever.

The same design philosophy in the chassis of the Hattons/DJM 14XX means that even in OO, the only route to a decent running loco is a replacement chassis, as far as I am concerned.

[dal-t]

Anyone wanting an RT chassis may have to wait a bit at the moment, Robert is taking some time off from model supply because the day job (stepping in when the big railway falls over) is proving a bit busy - see announcement/discussion/best wishes etc in the other place.