The Gauge III Tramway Project
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Now for something really BIG - almost life-size, it seemed after the experience with the gauge 0 tram. This time I chose gauge III (3 1/2 inches, scale 1:16) which showed to be a very practical Meccano scale. The car is of typical European fashion - here it is seen in "service" in one of the southern suburbs in Stockholm.
I began with the construction of a three-rail track (gauges II and III) from Meccano plates and girders - testing different solutions with a Number 1A clockwork motor (it's old, altough not made in Wurtemberg) and flanged wheels made from Face Plates, Bush Wheels and Wheel Flanges. Again, it proved to be both too fast and too weak.
In this picture, the construction of the trucks is clearly visible. Nine-, seven- and five-hole Perforated Strips screwed on to Trunnions give the illusion of leaf springs, and the trucks themselves are pivoted on Ball Bearings No. 168.
Of course, real-life trucks would look a lot more like this - as this one built with the Swedish FAC engineering set.
All four wheel centres are individually suspended on swing arms fitted with compression springs.
A more sophisticated version of the FAC bogie.
The FAC tramway chassis is powered by a Meccano E20R motor!
The Big Tram has stopped at a station - perhaps Årstaberg?
It will be obvious that the construction of an eight-wheeled car will require no less than two Outfits Number Ten! In fact, each and every Face Plate, Bush Wheel, Wheel Flange, Ball Bearing, Flat (70) and Curved (200) Plate of two sets was used in this model!
Also note the "wear(ing) of the Green" and that lovely, characterful rust! The sides of the car are panelled with green Teknik flat plates - the colour of which resembles Meccano's Light Green. But in this case, you need to have no less than eight Teknik sets!
Now it's time to close the doors!
Taking photos of the interior proved to be extremely difficult, but here it is, complete with red angled-plate Teknik seats!
And here is an example what you can do with the Meccano Steam Engine!
("Loket" means "The Locomotive" in Swedish.)