Zero Carbon Railcar on Cader Ifor Railway

thingiverse

The CIR apprentices have built a Zero Carbon Railcar in homage to James Spooner of the Ffestiniog, who built one first. Strange to think that Spooner built his single ended, in view of the Ffestiniog's double Fairlie locomotives. This one can be sailed in either direction by re-stepping the mast at the other end. I got quite into this, as an ex dinghy sailor. I think the rig is basically a lateen sail that looks a bit limited, concerning sail positioning to catch the wind, if attached closely at the bow. After a bit of looking around, I believe the sail may be let out to run before the wind by adjusting two lines from the front of the yard with the connection to the pointy end released. I have included these lines, but found the cotton most unruly for keeping the decks tidy. The hull and chassis are 3Dprinted with Dapol wagon wheels and Slaters bearings. She does sail if I puff hard enough. Spooner's craft would run down the line that was on a constant slope, and then sail across the Cob, that was level, under sail. The craft can get under bridges by dropping the sail by releasing just one rope. Used a boat from Thingiverse, shrunk and cut in half.