The Gauge 0 Tramway Project
Doing what comes naturally.
Working as a tramway (streetcar) driver in Stockholm, Sweden, it seemed quite natural that one of the first models I built (as a grown-up, that is) should be that of a tramway car. Now I had no model books to follow at that time, and my collection of parts was a multi-coloured mix of light, medium and dark Meccano with Swedish Teknik.
By the way, as you drive your tram from Gullmarsplan Station to the suburb of Hammarby (somewhat like the Docklands district in London) you can see nice things as a windmill, a port crane, tower cranes and, believe it or not, a giant walking dragline - all of which are perfectly buildable with Meccano!
Here's what emerged - a little tramcar powered by the Magic Motor, the driver figure slowly rocking to and fro as it peddles along on the floor. Like a real-life tram, it is activated by raising the pantograph (trolley). Note that the driver figure is suspended on a medium green Tekno Magnet!
I spotted this forward-and reverse mechanism in a "Book Of Mechanics" and tried to make it even worse!
Well, it worked in theory, but certainly not in real life!
Making "flanged wheels" of 1" Pulleys and Bush Wheels was a nightmare ...
... as was this attempt to take advantage of the Magic Motor's magical properties.
A miniature electric motor and a worm and 38 T gear drive (hidden from sight) changed the scene at the flick of a switch ...
... as did the genuine Meccano Flanged Wheels for running on real track. The Teknik trunnions (hidden from sight) were necessary to get the correct distance between the centres of the 38 T gear and the Worm.
But I hadn't given up the idea with the Magic Motor!
A little top-heavy perhaps, but this double-decker managed to stay on the track!
And this became the final version of the two-axle car.
One of several sketches which eventually ...
... became an advanced model sporting a four-wheel drive bogie.
And here's a night scene featuring the bogie car!