Conversion of an
Atlas O scale WDT switcher to 16mm 2 foot gauge (SM32) Page 1
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Atlas
O Scale WDT switchers are abundant and inexpensive. I recently purchased
three on eBay for about
$11.00 each. If you are using WDT's for conversion projects pick up the non-running
ones also. They're good
for replacement parts.
As purchased. This
one I got on eBay for about $12.00.
Out of the box this WDT is a good running locomotive.
The WDT is a three axle loco. The center wheel has no flange.
I don't recall when the Atlas O scale WDT was in production but I think it
had to be in the early 1980's.
There is probably a better grease available now that I will apply to the gearing.
I test ran the
WDT
with the center axle completely removed but it did not run as well as with
the center axle. I cut the
wheels off and left the axle in place.
I'm going to laser cut a styrene overlay that will cover most of the side frame
with the exception of openings
for the leaf springs and the journal boxes.
Most of the details (tank, ladder,
etc.) will be removed.
This WDT operates well at
slow speeds. It's got a nice little growl that I think enhances it appeal.
On a small section of hand-laid
track. That's a 14 inch radius curve. The WDT took the curve very well.
That's code 100 rail on laser
cut ties spaced at 2 feet on center. Code 100 might be too small for SM32,
I can't tell yet. I do like
the look of hand-laid track in the larger scales. It's also great fun to make!
To my inexperienced SM32
eye the proportions of the WDT seem good. The body is about 4 scale feet wide
and 9.5 scale feet long.
My inspiration for this project.
This
photo
is
the
Thomas
Yorke
Gn15 "Maule". It uses
an
HO
scale
drive
and
underframe. It's the look I'm aiming for with the above mentioned project.
CAD doodles of possible locomotives using the WDT frame and mechanisim. There's
a lot of possibilities.