Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

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Sandiapaul
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Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by Sandiapaul »

Hi all,

I'm building a 0-4-0 camelback. The drawing for the drivers shows 2 different dimension for the tire width, depending on gauge. For 7.25(which is what I am building) shows an overall width of .875". For 7.5 gauge it shows the IBLS recc width of .750".
Anyone know why its like this? Only thing I can think of is it would allow so extra room to run the 7.25 version on 7.5 track.

Thanks,
Paul
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ChipsAhoy
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by ChipsAhoy »

Is the narrower driver on the wider guage to help prevent having to move side rods, valve gear or perhaps cylinder outboard? Or in other words having a narrower driver causes the flanges to be further apart by default.
Scotty
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GO&PRR
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by GO&PRR »

Hi Paul,

Looking at the two drive wheel views, the top one is for the 7-1/4" gauge version which has the wider tread at 11/16" and a flat back.

Comparing to the next drive wheel view for the 7-1/2" gauge version, has a 9/16" tread. NOTE that this wheel has a 1/8 boss on the backside. This simply moves the flange out for the wider 7-1/2" gauge. Thus the axles can be made the same for both gauges for that design.

In my opinion, I prefer the wider treads also for the 7-1/2" versions. To do that, turn the wheels like the 7-1/4" drawing and then lengthen the axles by 1/8" on each end, keeping the 1" length thru the wheel. The 'revised' cylinder castings (Mercer now offered by IHS) offer more meat at the mounting face so that they can be machined with the extra 1/8" distance. Older builds may have used a 1/8" spacer. A thrust washer can be introduced between the drive wheel and the journal box.

Hope this helps.
Best Steaming,
Ed Archer
Iron Horse Supply Corp.
www.ironhorsesupplycorp.com
ihsc775@gmail.com
ed.archer@ironhorsesupplycorp.com

Camelback #1173, 7-1/2" gauge, propane (a Leo M.'s build)
E6 #462 Atlantic (Saturated Steam), coal
3.2 scale 040 Vulcan 7-1/2 gauge, coal
12 ton 1936 040 Vulcan 2ft gauge, oil

"One with weak mind...Has strong legs"
Sandiapaul
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by Sandiapaul »

Thanks for the info Ed. I'm almost ready to make the drivers so this is good info.
JohnHudak
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by JohnHudak »

GO&PRR wrote: Sun Jul 07, 2019 6:24 pm (Mercer now offered by IHS)
Hope this helps.
Ed, does IHS have a website?
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PRR5406
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by PRR5406 »

Hooray! Another A5a joins the fleet!
"Always stopping my train, and risking my ankles, with American made, New Balance sneakers."
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Fender
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by Fender »

Watch the clearance between the crosshead and the crankpin on the lead driver. Pretty close clearance there.
Dan Watson
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GO&PRR
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by GO&PRR »

Hi John,
Do not have a web site yet but is on the list to do's.
Send a note to ihsc775@gmail.com and can reply with a price list showing what is currently available on the A5a.
Best Steaming,
Ed Archer
Iron Horse Supply Corp.
www.ironhorsesupplycorp.com
ihsc775@gmail.com
ed.archer@ironhorsesupplycorp.com

Camelback #1173, 7-1/2" gauge, propane (a Leo M.'s build)
E6 #462 Atlantic (Saturated Steam), coal
3.2 scale 040 Vulcan 7-1/2 gauge, coal
12 ton 1936 040 Vulcan 2ft gauge, oil

"One with weak mind...Has strong legs"
Sandiapaul
Posts: 567
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:04 am
Location: Princeton, NJ

Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by Sandiapaul »

Thanks for all the responses guys!
hoppercar
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by hoppercar »

Yes, but looking at the drawings, the dimensions do not stack up correctly. 1/8 th step on wheels, and axle dimensions only add up to 7.0 back to back on the drivers....for 7 1/2 gauge the back to back should be 7 1/8 th
Sandiapaul
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by Sandiapaul »

Need to look at this as my axle is in the lathe right now!
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Bill Shields
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Re: Nusky/Mercer 0-4-0 driver width?

Post by Bill Shields »

Yes. There are errors in the original drawings

Check everything. Assume nothing
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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