Hi Carl

Yes i think you are correct in the safety region, as i had another engineer minded person who happens to be my boss come over today and look at it, and he just said having a 24v 1000 watt motor ticking over at 2500 rpm, which would be making 40 amps or more, could cause serious injury to myself, especially on the all metal chassis.

He also mentions that the motor should be properly fastened and not "bodge jobbed". Ill be the first to admit that i am always in a hurry to get it working and i compromise alot in being like that..i blame my age

JUst another note on the coupling though, it actually doesnt move, or has very little movement, and is sufficiant enough, as long the the engine is held in place firmly...

Do you know where i could get such a coupling from Carl? This is where i really start needing the help....

For a coupling you can source on the internet. I wouldn't like to advise exactly what type.

There many companies selling engineering and electrical equipment such as RS components.

If your boss is an engineer then get him on board with the project and ask more of his advice.
If he sees you progressing as a result, that may benefit your work too.

Right well i just found this: http://www.ondrives.com/couplings.html

They seem very pricey but would solve alot of problems.

Well ive just been talking to the technical department on ondrives.com and a very helpful guy talked me through all the elements i should take into consideration and we finally decided on a oldham coupling that has the safety factor on torque, rpm, and vertical and horizontal miss-alignment.

It cost me £40 which is far better then me messing around trying to make a perfect coupling.

Now this gives me time to fully work on engine mount and getting everything fully and safely fixed to the chassis.

Right, having just got back from Florida, i now want to start work on this loco again, as the longer i leave it, the less motivated i get to continue.

Now i am in the same position as last time, and taking on Carls advice, i really need to get a secure motor mount sorted. I have the oldham flexible coupling, which should now cater for small misalignments, so as long as i can get this motor fixed down correctly, i should be another stage further, and i could test the locos generating power.