Post by feo2man on Nov 21, 2010 18:59:20 GMT
railexpress.co.uk
My project is the Velaro from Siemens.
The picture is of one under construction in their Krefeld factory near Dusseldorf Germany.
www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5b/SiemensVelaroD-InnoTrans2010.jpg&imgrefurl=http://trainoftheweek.blogspot.com/&usg=__xnzmFGFraj3_pPI7vJhIduLfWeY=&h=1047&w=1446&sz=454&hl=en&start=8&zoom=1&tbnid=8rDX7Zz6j443KM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=213&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvelaro%2Bd%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D574%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C228&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=545&vpy=292&dur=3345&hovh=191&hovw=264&tx=122&ty=150&ei=yGjpTI_VJMiOjAf56dmHAw&oei=kmjpTJmAJaiAhAeO8KkP&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:8&biw=1024&bih=574
Originally, l was building the Eurostar and then they announced the purchase of the E320, which will be very close in design to the Velaro D being built for Deutsche Bahn railway. Seizing an opportunity to keep up with trends is when l decided upon the change. Fortunately, ihad only purchased the components and not started on the bodywork! As well as a personal project, they will be for sale also. Either in kit or finished. So l need to keep up with trends.
To date l have sent some 12 e-mails to Siemens asking/requesting a set of external plans-front. plan and side view with general dimensions or a trip to the factory to take detailed pictures. Having got them, l would have been gone and out of their hair. As of Friday , i have two replies saying no to the drawings and one saying no to a visit, the other giving me the name of the person to contact for a visit! E-mail went within minutes to this person. Hope to get a reply on Monday.
I had even tried approaching the railway press to do a feature story for free in return for that all important visit. Next week l will have to draw a line under the visit or drawings and work from photographs as best l can. First job will be to produce three seperate drawings- nose main body and engine cover in CADS/ igs format.
Then off to a university that has the machining facilities l need to produce high quality 'bucks' for moulding from. the nose and main body will be split moulds.
The loco will be driven with a Honda V Twin 21hp engine, onto hydrostatic pump (not Eaton), then to two hydraulic motors and then to two bevel T gearboxes. I have had the gearboxes specially made in Germany for this project because of the back to back dimension between 7 1/4" gauge wheels. the Velaro D will available in !0" also. Costly, l assure you! There was a 12 week lead up time and they arrived last Friday. They are works of art in metal. I will take pics and show you how beautiful each is. One is currently taking pride of place on the hearth.
www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://dmm.travel/fileadmin/media/news/bahn/Siemens_Velaro_D_f%C3%BCr_die_DB.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D1122247&usg=__KnFyaLOaxxE3pJeZ_amleqmuEOI=&h=289&w=400&sz=45&hl=en&start=8&zoom=1&tbnid=T1wqlC7SX-EV-M:&tbnh=129&tbnw=194&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dvelaro%2Bd%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D574%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C513&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=385&ei=yGjpTI_VJMiOjAf56dmHAw&oei=kmjpTJmAJaiAhAeO8KkP&esq=2&page=2&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:8&tx=93&ty=97&biw=1024&bih=574
Hydraulic system arrives next week to. If any of you have tried to get a company to work out a bespoke hydraulic system you will know what l have been through!
I went to at least 20 companies asking for them to design and quote, all said "Yes, we can do that!" Like hell they did. Finally l found a company who were interested in what l was doing and again said yes. I had to wait 5 weeks, but l got there. 14 Week lead up! Two of those who said yes we can do that..well, l telephoned directors how useless their staff were and should conduct secret sales calls........How they are still in business, god only knows!
Next stage is to start drawing up the bogies and get them cut and order the wheels once drawn.
I'll keep you informed.