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Climax locomotives


This 15-ton Class "A" Climax design is based on a large scale model by Jeff Saxton (NG&SL Gazette, Dec '95). The frame and superstructure will be scratchbuilt in styrene. It uses a pair of regauged MDC Shay trucks, with an extra set of non-geared drivers, and is powered by a NWSL can motor in the water tank through a NWSL transfer gearbox hidden inside the vertical steam engine pedestal. This loco could of course be backdated further with a vertical boiler.

The closest thing I have found to appropriate Climax truck sideframes are the HO scale Kadee logging disconnect trucks. The axle spacing is off by about 1 mm though..

Class "B" or "C" Climax

If you want a more modern Climax, you might want to take a look at George Pierson's HO Scale Class "C" Climax conversion of an MDC Shay, in the Feb '96 issue of Model Railroader.

After this article was published, George has come up with a new design for the gearing, which gives more prototypical RPM's for the crankshaft.

For more prototype information, don't miss the Climax Locomotive WEB page!

Climax references


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Updated August 20, 1999 by Lennart Elg