Marx 333 Windup Project...

That is awesome! Your clockwork exploits are beginning to work on me. I no longer ignore wind up locos when checking out stuff at train shows.  I will probably get one before too long.

Gotta have at least one wind up loco to use for emergencies when the power is out. Sort of a tinplate doomsday prepper I guess.  lol

Very nice.

I too look at the boxes on the floor at trains show and always keep a eye out for clock work parts/engines.

WindupGuy posted:

...

 

so what happened to the sound system?
oh wait... it says PARTS ...

great job as usual, James.
the video cleared up my wondering how you handled the center axle.

how long (time, distance) can it run compared to, say, a CV?
cheers...gary

Getting what you want.....I made an electric 1829 Mikado....have thought about doing a 333 one,  but that is way down the list...

What you started with and ended with is very Nice!  Great job!

Looks great!

overlandflyer posted:

the video cleared up my wondering how you handled the center axle.

how long (time, distance) can it run compared to, say, a CV?
cheers...gary

Thanks to everybody for the kind comments.

Gary made an astute observation:  A windup motor has a big spring that gets in the way of a lot of modifications, so adding the middle drivers wasn't quite a simple as just adding an extra axle.  That problem was addressed by machining two stub axles, and attaching them to the outside of the motor sideplates with 4-40 machine screws.  The machine screw on the sideplate next to the mainspring had to be an 82 degree flat head, countersunk into the sideplate, so that it sits flush and allows the mainspring to move by it.  The other stub axle is held in place with a pan head machine screw.  The center drivers spin on the stub axle.  Like any other Marx motor, only the first axle is powered; the center and rear drivers are just along for the ride.  You can see the spring sitting between the center drivers in this picture of the motor from the bottom:

Here is a picture of the drivers and the two stub axles ready for installation:

Performance is typical Marx, since the mainspring, gear ratio and driver diameter are all stock Marx riser gear motor specs & parts.  With the tender and two cars, the engine will complete five laps of my little layout, about 93 feet total run.  By itself, it will make it around an extra lap.  In all, very comparable to a stock Marx windup... and very surprising considering the extra drag from the extra wheels and robust weight.  I did try my best to make everything spin as freely as possible.

Now on to the next project... 

it never ceases to amaze me how great your clock works run. fantastic job as always!

Great project and really well done, Windup!

I too am looking sideways at my little group of mechanical Hafner, Marx & Hornby..........

It reminds me of the old Brit layouts that ran clockwork to timetables and had winding diagrams for each locomotive that were reached by trial and error, so that they stopped at their next station just right, where another key was waiting.       See how this starts? 

Firewood posted:

It reminds me of the old Brit layouts that ran clockwork to timetables and had winding diagrams for each locomotive that were reached by trial and error, so that they stopped at their next station just right, where another key was waiting.       See how this starts? 

I don't have the room to build a big railroad to do that type of clockwork operating (at least inside), but it is interesting.  The classic example is Jack Ray's Crewchester Railroad... his book "A Lifetime with O Gauge" is a must-read for anyone interested in serious clockwork operations, outdoor layouts or British model railroading. 

However, I'll be content to tinker on the locomotives, then put them through their paces on my small windup layout...