Search results

Brian, Your drawing makes perfect sense! It looks very similar to a method used on a three cylinder 'Helen Long' named Helen Longish by its builder. He used fabricated cylinders of brass and LG2 rather than castings. The link to the build log is...

No problem Brian! I am still working on the design but here is a quick sketch I just put together on my computer: The lighter coloured parts are LG2 while the darker parts are brass. You may also notice that the valve chamber 'chunk' is separate from the cylinder 'chunk'. These will be...

I plan to run the boiler at 90psi max where the saturated steam temperature is about 160C. This is based on the existing published designs for locos of this size. These models are also superheated (mine will use stainless steel tubes) and I have heard no problems of this set up. The pistons will...

I have considered CI but my mind always starts whispering 'rust' in the event I leave it too long. It's because of this I want to go with bronze. My research in the past has also failed me. I have searched quite a bit on the internet and come to the conclusion that you could not buy hollow LG2...

Hi all! Here is another question from me regarding my potential design for a 3.5" gauge locomotive... One of the main components I'll need are cylinders, and unfortunately there are no available castings on the market that'll fulfil my needs (trust me I've checked). I've considered getting...

Three jaws can be a pain for accuracy. Personally I use a four jaw as they are adjustable until each part you're working on is running true. This is incredibly helpful if you're working with parts that are not hexagonal or round, it also gives more grip on rough castings.

Right, here is a few photos to show what I have done recently regarding the frames and a good excuse to showcase a few bits that I have made (rather than older parts 'inherited' from the previous builer) Firstly, here are the new frames all drilled and held together with brand new stretchers...

I know :-[ ! Thankfully I have an understanding partner who is more than happy to transport me about in her car. This should be helpful in the future!

Thanks for all the help here! A few of the points I am already aware of and it's probably my fault for not incorporating it into the crap-o-cad. The taper will be on the wheels as well as the radius between the tread and the flange. My design is for a Pacific loco (4-6-2) so there'll be six...

I often use a three-jaw drill chuck for holding taps but this is only for ones less that 10mm in diameter. It is always handy when you're making something in a lathe and you want to tap the hole you've just drilled. It saves changing over any tools on the lathe! I wouldn't however over tighten...

Update! I am still here after a rather exciting start to 2012 (mostly medical related unfortunately due to an unknown and unwanted growth in the brain that was succesfully removed in February... well on the mend now thankfully) A few things have changed on Virginia recently including me trashing...

Hello all! This is sort of a newbie question where I have had various answers from different people who all seem to have varying opinions. Basically it is about the thickness of locomotive wheels, specifically when used on 3.5" gauge track (3/4 scale) Some loco designers seem to favour a...

The tender looks as though it will fit the A3 perfectly! Have you lined the loco and tender together yet to: A/ Get a good idea of the final 'look' of the engine? B/ Get a photo to show the boards how impressive your future hauling machine looks? C/ Sat behind it and pretended you're driving...

My apologies! I had somehow missed that post. My original comment still applies though: glorious!

It's only my local engineering club that don't seem that welcoming, or at least that is the impression I have gotten from the couple of members I have spoken to. There are others in the area but they are at least 20 + miles distant. This makes things awkward as I am one of the few people in...

I've read stories about engines being loaded with slabs of lead to aid in traction, especially with the smaller gauge engines. That is one thing I will eventually have to think about doing the same on my engine as the design is apparently known for being light on its feet.

That I am aware of. I had just read on other build logs that people have tested combustion chambers for leaks before they are fitted into the rest of the boiler and wasn't quite sure how they would do that That is why I asked in my post, to make sure I was going to be using the correct...

She looks glorious! Good luck with the first steaming and hope she goes as good as she looks

Wow, that is a thick walled smoke box. Is the boiler also steel? If so your engine will be a mini-monster! Do you have any idea how heavy it will be when completed?

Ah, that makes sense. I suppose that is how combustion chambers are tested before fitting into a boiler? I've got the complete drawings for LBSC's 'Hielan Lassie' and that boiler looks like a nightmare to build and test! I've since drilled the twelve 3/32" holes in the dome flange for the...