DCC conversion of Tenshodo 'SPUD' motor bogie
The
below illustrated instructions show you how to undertake this work.
If you have
2 Tenshodo motors fitted to a single car wire both motors
together (+ to + & - to -) and fit a single DCC chip.
Fitting the
Peco 3rd & 4th conductor rails & insulator chairs
Use a
sharp modellers knife to carefully cut
each chair off of the fret.
Drill a tiny hole in the centre of every 5th sleeper for the negative rail
chairs. Drill a hole every 5th sleeper on the right hand side of the track to
fit the positive rail chairs (assuming that the train is going forward). Do not
drill into the same sleeper as for the negative rail chair, stagger the rail chair
sleeper holes between + & - rails in a zig-zag fashion.
Super-glue each conductor rail chair into place ensuring that it is positioned
correctly to allow you to slide the conductor rail into place when the glue has
completely dried.
I do not recommend using the white plastic base-plates supplied as these tend to
make the chair sit too high and the underside of your train is likely to catch,
pull up & damage the chair!
The centre negative conductor chairs & rail are now fitted into position! Now onto the positive rail!
As a rule, the positive conductor rail is always fitted to the right hand of the
sleeper as the train is moving forward This does not apply when track-work
passes through a station where the platform is on the right hand side. In this
case, for safety reasons, the positive conductor rail switches to the left hand
side of the sleeper furthest away from the platform. Where track-work passes
through a station with platforms on both sides, then the outer positive
conductor rail is protected up to rail height, by vertical wooden boards,
located either side of the rail.
The below diagrams provide a cross sectional view of the LU 4 rail traction current collection arrangement. Whilst in reality the positive traction current rail is set 3 inches higher, and the negative rail 1.5 inches higher than the running rails, this is not easily achieved in '00' scale where 4mm represents 1 foot - the difference in model form being a mere 0.5mm, hardly noticeable! I recommend that both conductor rails are fitted at the same height to keep them as low as possible to prevent them fouling the underside of your trains!
Cross sectional diagrams of Underground 'tube' tunnel section
These dimensions & details are very useful when designing your own model underground tunnels/stations
Cross sectional view of cast iron running tunnels
Cross sectional view of underground tunnel headwall/platform end arrangement.
Constructing
Streetlevel & other cardboard kits
(available
from our online shop)
The kits are designed to be easily built using the simplest of
tools.
A craft knife or scalpel and a metal rule are ideal for cutting out.
For safety reasons, a pair of scissors is recommended for cutting out parts for
younger modellers.
Each kit includes a 'step by step' assembly guide.
We recommend the use of white PVA adhesive such as 'Unibond' to stick the parts
together.
After cutting out, score all edges which require folding to allow a clean and
straight fold.
A slightly blunted scissor point is good for this purpose.
When your kit is completed, you can add to it's realistic appearance by
painting (or using a felt tip pen) to cover any white exposed parts of the card
edges.
Elstree South station kit under
construction - January 2008 (Streetlevel
- kit no. BK002)
Jim Connor of Streetlevel models provides tips & techniques regarding cardboard kit construction in the below video.
Information sources
I am often asked for details of books & publications where further information & images of the LU system can be found. The following list, whilst not exhaustive, may be of use. Please bear in mind that many of the books listed are no longer in print.
'London
Underground Rolling Stock - by Brian Hardy.
Published by Capital Transport - 15th edition 2002 - £9.95
This is the rolling stock 'bible' of the London Underground, and well worth
having!
Contains images, car numbers & technical data of all current rolling stock.
'London's
Underground' - by John Glover
Published by Ian Allen - 7th edition 1991
Super B&W images & a
good overview of the LU system
'Tube Trains
Under London' - by J. Graeme Bruce
Published by London Transport - 1977
Illustrated history of LU rolling stock
'The 1938 Tube
Stock' - by Piers Connor
Published by Capital Transport - 1989
A super account of the development & history of the classic red 1938 tube
stock including B&W & colour images.
'London
Transport Railways' - Rail Portfolios 16 - by John Glover
Published by Ian Allen - 1991
64 pages of excellent colour images of LU rolling stock of all types.
'London
Transport Railways Album' - Chris Heaps
Published by Ian Allen - 1978
Full of B&W images of rolling stock from steam to modern, buildings and much
more.
'Underground
Movement' - by Paul Moss
Published by Capital Transport - 2000
Available
via our online shop
This superb book looks at London's Underground train design during the 20th
Century, particularly from the beginning of the standardised solutions which had
considerable input from the Underground's own staff.
A quality hardback book ideal for the LU modeller.
224 pages with numerous colour & black & white images.