super simplex chassis

[Deleted]

Having made the transition from classic cars I am contemplating a Simplex as a first project, a friend has offered me a simplex chassis with horns fitted for next to nothing but it is the standard simplex, having read a bit and talked a lot I am being persuaded a super simplex is a better option but will the standard chassis do for a super?

[John Lee]

No they won't, the frames are different. A bit deeper for a start.

There are lots of Simplexes running around, so I wouldn't worry about it not being good enough. Super Simplex was by the way of a Martin Evans fix, and some more article money I suppose ;D

If you need the build instructions for both, perhaps adding a few Super changes to yours, Baggo was distributing. Failing that send me a PM with your email and I can sent both as scans.

Regards,

John

[ron]

Hi
Likewise I recently arrived at model engineering via classic cars [ran out of space for any more!]
I would say the choice between Simplexes comes down to a matter of taste, personally I prefer the look of the standard Simplex hence why I started one, I wouldn't let the availability of a ready made chassis dominate my decision, it is really only a minor part of the complete loco [and not a particularly expensive one] so build the one you fancy.
I have another suggestion, if you are completely new to model engineering try a couple of Stuart Turner or similar stationary engines first, Simplex may be simple as far as locos go but don't be fooled by the name, it's anything but simple.
Ron

[Deleted]

Thanks for the input, had a look at the price of the parts and your right they are not that expensive, the price he was asking £50 was not that cheap, especially as I have to take his word for it that it is Ok.

Have decided to go for a super from scratch and hope for the best, my real problem is the lack of clubs round West Wales, not a lot of folk to talk too.

[John Lee]

Well talk to Ivor. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDWk0BCeblQ

He will send you in the right direction in West Wales ...... ;D

More seriously, good luck, a Simplex as Ron says is not the simplest design

John

[Steve M. W]

A few members of our club say it should be renamed complex. But treat each part a one job and its not so bad.
This site will keep you motivated and help you through the hard bits.

Steve

[Deleted]

I love it, have sent Ivor to my grandson he is over the moon, your help and sugestions are greatly appreciated.

Have just downloaded & printed the whole Simplex details from John who kindly sent the PDF files and they are very detailed and I have to say the ammount of work is daunting, I don't want it to be another "found it in my fathers workshop" project on ebay when I have fallen off the twig.

[John Lee]

Glad you liked "Ivor".. ahh it takes me back boyo!!

You may want to start something more simple than Simplex. As you have found out having a set of cheap frames may commit you to major expenditure and effort. I think Simplex is purely a marketing name too.

A simple 0-4-0 in 5 inch gauge is much easier, no knuckle joint in the coupling rods, one less wheel to bind up, and pick a freelance like Simplex so you can add and do as you please. Believe me, on a running day at your local club nobody really cares!

There have been many suggestions on here for a simple job (in model loco terms, none are very simple) I have a "Scamp", for ease of lifting really and it will pull 4 middlewaight adults, "Russell" has been suggested too, there are a few more. Do bear in mind a Simplex will weigh about 1 cwt, and you need a driving trolley etc etc

You can finish one of them before you fall off the twig. All straight designs just to get you running around, but not the 3 1/2 "Tich" which many, quite rightly, abandoned.

I also have a 5" "Springbok" or LNER B1 which I leaded down for traction to about 200 lbs plus, minus tender; guess which gets taken out if I just want a quick run around for fun....

And the little 0-4-0 runs in the garden.....

Regards,

John

[simonwass]

Tich is 'almost' a waste of time building it, but....
If anyone knows the Chesterfield raised track, you will know its a short steep downhill followed by a lot of hard grades. My Tich (correct draughting & brick arch) managed 2 complete laps non stop (running and shovelling!), thats 2/5th of a mile (4000 Tich wheel revs!). Only had to stop to fill the lubricator!
Its not the loco that isnt up to much, its usually the driver cant manage the engine correctly enough for optimum performance. I was only 12 or 13 at the time so was obviously fairly light weight but it is ok for 'easy' circuits. If you are building one, carry on, but its not a good choice now more recent & modern designs are out there.

[gordonfrench]

I suppose you are right, though having to fire such a tiny fire taught me a great deal about fire thickness, draft, incandescence, water management at the like.

No comparison though to the big wide firebox of something like "Maisie" that practically requires no skill whatever.

Tich is still easier to move and the people along the way all shout "Oh look at the little one!" whenever you come into view.

Gordon

[Deleted]

Now there was me thinking build the engine build the track and thats the difficult bit done, put some coal in the fire place water in the tank set fire ti the thing and off we go, don't tell me it's not that easy.

Problem with choseing a project is the more folk you talk to the more choice there is, and everyone has such great enthusiam for the marque, have spent six months researching and have had to stop looking or I will never make a start, thats not to say that I am ungreatful for your sugestions but the choice is made it's a super simplex and hope that I can make it work.

With so many enthusiasts to fall back on how can I fail?

[John Lee]

wayside said:

Now there was me thinking build the engine build the track and thats the difficult bit done, put some coal in the fire place water in the tank set fire ti the thing and off we go, don't tell me it's not that easy.

Hmmm..well there's join a club, get dragged into all the fixing jobs at said club, borrow a ratty driving trolley from them that has so much resistance that its screeches horribly on corners and stops you dead at the first incline, so you need one of those too.

Ohhh yes, build all the workshop tools, bits and bobs, gadgets and fixings that you need to actually build the thing.

Then you get half way through, and an article catches your eye, "ooooh" you say, I rather like one of those as well, it can be a little filler job while I finish the Simplex..... something like a BR Standard 9F....

If you can avoid most of that, you have done well. Good luck with your choice, they are a good bit of kit

Regards,

John

[Deleted]

I had no metal skills when I started on cars 30 years ago but I learned the hard way to gas and mig weld braze and body solder and to fabricate parts which I could not buy, I even manged a fair standard of paint spraying, all with little help and a lot of reading, I made a lot of mistakes but I did get there in the end, 30's motors take a lot of patience.

Bought an ML7 last autumn and have spent many very enjoyable hours this winter turning stuff, I have read loads of books and have completed a dozen small projects which have worked out OK, I bought some cheap castings on ebay recently (99p cylinder castings, £3 four 2.5 wheels ") and manged to machine them to a fair standard.

I love good quality tools and machines, have a huge collection, most of it carefully bought second hand, I have had and will no doubt go on having disasters but I am making progress. Thanks every one for the advice.

[RobinS]

About 2 years ago I purchased a used Myford ML7 and for the first time tried to turn metal. It has been a learn as you go process and after 6 months I retired and decided to build a Super Simplex.
Having been an engineering draughtsman for most of my working life I studied the drawings printed in M.E. and found a number of anomalies. I have since redrawn many of the drawings on the computer to see how the parts fit. (Strictly for my own use of course.) This has led to a number of fixes which I am incorporating into my building programme. I have completed and erected the frames with buffers and wheelsets and am working on the coupling rods. (When other family projects don't get in the way). It's a slow process for me but very enjoyable working out how to manufacture the various parts. I live in Vancouver, Canada (there is also a Vancouver in the States) so parts for British style Loco's are hard to come by. My solution is to try and make as many parts as I can from the raw materials.
I wish you well in your endeavours and any problems you may have no doubt I have already had them to this point in construction. Let me know if you have any questions.