Lisa
Statesman
Posts: 806
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Post by Lisa on Jan 6, 2019 11:41:03 GMT
I wonder if some people lose momentum through choosing the wrong model to start? "Start off with something nice and simple to cut your teeth" - and you spend a few years working on something that you don't really want when it's finished. Be adventurous, be ambitious, and start something that you really want to build and own and run! Definitely, Blowfly being a prime example; that's why 25 years after starting it I've only just got the chassis running on air. When I first seriously decided to build a steam loco, I wanted to build a 3½" gauge Tich, but considering we were running commercially at the time a 7¼" gauge Heidi II was also appealing. However I was talked into Blowfly because we already had 5" gauge, it'll pull a load, it's still easily portable, it was a simple design to start with, and we already had the plans (AME magazines). So I made the frames, lost interest, and started on Heidi II. As it turns out I didn't finish Heidi either, ultimately deciding it was too big, I sold her off just needing pipework, paint, and a cab roof. Then I poked at Blowfly a bit more, so I had a rolling chassis, then for a variety of reasons shoved that under a bench for the next ten or so years. So while I think 'start simple' may be good advice, 'find something simple that interests you' would probably be the better advice.
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Post by suctionhose on Jan 6, 2019 12:01:47 GMT
I've got this in my loungeroom. Sentimental connotations. Is light weight and doesn't smell & drip oil like the live steamers. Never could finish it. Doesn't work...
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,907
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Post by JonL on Jan 6, 2019 19:28:15 GMT
We all break these things down into smaller tasks anyway.
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Neale
Part of the e-furniture
5" Black 5 just started
Posts: 279
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Post by Neale on Jan 7, 2019 9:09:34 GMT
We all break these things down into smaller tasks anyway. Absolutely - at the moment, it's "can't wait to see the tender chassis rolling along the club track." Then it's, "then there's going to be some nice fiddly machining making all the brake gear!" Then it's, "then I'll be able to have a go at the plate work for the tender body - that'll be a new challenge!" Long term aim is steaming a Black 5 around the club track, but each sub-goal is an end in itself.
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Post by David on Jan 7, 2019 10:56:53 GMT
Looks good though Ross. Stick an electric motor in it! I suggested that to my father-in-law when he was frustrated by the steaming on his 35 class but he didn't see the humour in it.
I do like the cab and the rivets. And rods.
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Post by suctionhose on Jan 7, 2019 11:37:27 GMT
I was making three working 10 Classes once. Got stuck at 3 x rolling chassis stage because the model design I had purchased and hoped to follow without too much trouble wasn't to my liking. 1 1/16" scale too.
I gave one away - to a super-keen teenager. He did nothing but his father had it almost finished last I saw it about five years ago. The second was mostly scrapped though some of it was salvaged for the new 1 1/8" scale 50 Class (axleboxes, axles, eccentrics, cylinders. New wheels though for 1 1/8" scale and design from FS drawings).
The 3rd became our brass ornament! It was all a long time ago now and hard to keep those dreams alive!
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Post by mugbuilder on Jan 16, 2019 5:53:51 GMT
I was about 8 or 10 years old when I was struck down with a misterious illness and spent about 3 months in bed.I was an avid reader at the time and soon exhausted all of the reading matter in the house except a pile of Model engineer and Practical Electrician magazines that my Dad had collected before the second world war. Dad had been a practising Model Engineer before he was married and had built a very nice 2 1/2" gauge pacific around 1935 that was finished except for the tender. I was greatly intrigued by the weekly LBSC articles and by the time that I had read all of the magazines from cover to cover I was hooked for life. Dad had a small engineering business from home and so always had plenty of machinery to play with. [We could make cracker guns that were lethal and used to bore out 303 bullett heads for mounting on our arrows ] I started My first loco when I was about 14 and am still making one now when I am almost 77. I have a 5" gauge 2-8-0 that is within 3 weeks of completion and will be ready then for paint. Most likely the last one.
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Post by mugbuilder on Jan 16, 2019 6:12:20 GMT
I think I need constant mental stimulation. Sitting by the pool on holiday with the kids took years to even tolerate! Without the goings on in the workshop, life would be pretty banal. Our family were largely self-sufficient. We repaired our own stuff. We solved our own problems. To get outside help was an admission of failure. Helping my Dad from an early age taught me ‘to problem solve – critical thinking – there’s always a way’ attitudes. The independence that feeling brought was addictive and I got a lot of satisfaction from being able to do things that others made excuses for. My workshops – I think I’ve had 6 or 7 of them – have always been places where there are no excuses. I earned a good living for 20 odd years with just basic tools – the secret ingredient being simply my ability to get things done. Didn’t get the work / life balance thing right but I enjoyed delivering high standards of service and reliability. I was proud of that. School bored me. Couldn’t wait to start work. Always wanted to be 'doing’ rather than ‘watching’. Of course, by doing you get really good at planning too. School is not the only source of knowledge! My models; stationary, rail & traction, have been incredibly fertile sources of learning on many subjects. I’ve been building steam engines more or less continuously since 1974 when Dad got me started on the donkey engine in the back of LBSC’s Shop, Shed & Road. From being a quick metho-fired knock up, mine became a tiny coal fired job with feed pumps, gauges, control valves etc. Fast forward to 2018, engine #12 - 3” ploughing engine – continues to provide plenty of brain food! Traction engines, with all the machinery attached to the boiler, present difficulties not encountered on locomotives. I’m doing the design as I go. Research has led me down many interesting roads on all sorts of subjects. It’s not the only side of life I love but it is certainly a vital component of every day!
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Post by mugbuilder on Jan 16, 2019 6:16:37 GMT
I have had the pleasure of viewing Suctionhouse's work from time to time and it is truly superb. I think that i can make a good reliable loco that looks good and will go for many years but Suctionhose's products are right out of the ball park. Barry
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Post by stevand123 on Mar 14, 2021 17:31:17 GMT
Two main motivations. A keen interest in model engineering, and an enjoyment of researching classes that are not 'run of the mill', particularly GWR classes. The latter means I have been doing some personal research into locos of the transition period from Dean designs to the early Churchward ones, and, with retirement planning on my agenda, it would be ideal timing to reacquaint myself with mechanical engineering and make use of my research.
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johnd
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 281
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Post by johnd on Mar 14, 2021 18:58:01 GMT
My initial motivation was seeing and travelling in a live steam loco on Southsea seafront at the age of about 8 years old. The others were coming across copys of L.B.S.C The Live Steam Book dated 1950 and L.Sparey The Amateurs Lathe about the same age in a secondhand bookshop, on the same day. Both books are always in use, i owe a lot to both men.
Daggers
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Post by stevand123 on Mar 14, 2021 21:31:52 GMT
My initial motivation was seeing and travelling in a live steam loco on Southsea seafront at the age of about 8 years old. The others were coming across copys of L.B.S.C The Live Steam Book dated 1950 and L.Sparey The Amateurs Lathe about the same age in a secondhand bookshop, on the same day. Both books are always in use, i owe a lot to both men. Daggers Think I remember the one, in parts close to a wall with a small tunnel, probably where the aquarium is now. Rode on it several times in the mid to late 60's when I'd have been the same age. Andrew
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,438
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Post by dscott on Mar 15, 2021 3:43:07 GMT
Having to travel through Manchester in the early 60's And out from Victoria to Crumpsal to have a day with the Grandparents. A Lifetime with machinery and making things. Then I discover ancestors who were in on the Railways at the very Beginning at Edge Hill Works just outside Liverpool! I cant Help myself. We two Family's have 2 and 1 Daughters between us and they are incredibly Artistic. We have several Artists within the Ancestors as well.
David and Lily.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2021 8:56:44 GMT
My motivation to go to my shed and work on my engine? TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AWAY FROM THE BLOODY WIFE!!!!!!!
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Post by springcrocus on Mar 15, 2021 9:09:46 GMT
My motivation to go to my shed and work on my engine? TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AWAY FROM THE BLOODY WIFE!!!!!!!
Regards, Steve
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lesstoneuk
Part of the e-furniture
Retired Omnibus navigation & velocity adjustment technician
Posts: 373
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Post by lesstoneuk on Mar 15, 2021 11:59:45 GMT
My motivation stems from a long time ago. Back in the year dot, when Methusala was a lad, my brother went down the Didcot railway centre on a steam day. It so happened to be the day that 6697 split a flue tube. When he got home and said what was happening down there, I had to see for myself. Once I had the smell of steam and oil in me, that was it. I joined up and looked into weekends volunteering. I really enjoyed the boiler work, old style engineering, by touch and the seat of your pants. I worked on the boiler of 5051 and 1466. Screw cut a continuous 5/8 Whitworth form thread on 14ft 10ins longditudinal stays using the 10ft Centre lathe. It was a lot easier than it sounds. I also got inside the firebox of 1466 with a fire still in it to expand a couple of tubes that weeped in steam.....now that's warm! I eventually moved to Wales to settle down to married life and railways took a back seat until a couple of years ago. Not being able to afford £100, in all truth, not being able to get £100 past the domestic accountant. But.... I could get £5 here and £10 there for parts. So I started building and restoring 1960s and 70s oo gauge locos. So far I've got single chimney King, double chimney King, single chimney castle, double chimney castle, star from castle/Hall, 53xx hybrid, 3 x 57/8750, 43xx, 93xx, 14xx, 5 x Halls, Grange, Manor, 2 x 41xx, ROD, Aberdare, Hawksworth Pacific, original Princess, turbo motive, black 5, 3F tender, 3F tank, 1F tank, B12, 3 x Gresley Pacifics, Green Arrow, 2 x Bullied Spam cans..... And loads more. I'm retiring in 6 months, I was going to work past my 66th but having had Covid last year, I've just had enough. I've always wanted to have a 5 inch gauge loco so I looked into building one. The price of copper and the subsequent huge cost of a boiler put the end to that. Then, somehow the possibility of an electric loco was well within my budget. The choice came down to 4 locos, a BR Class 86, a BR Class 87, a BR Class 76 and a BR Class 77. I chose a 76, mainly due to its simplicity. That's my history and motivation.
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johnd
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 281
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Post by johnd on Mar 15, 2021 12:34:50 GMT
My initial motivation was seeing and travelling in a live steam loco on Southsea seafront at the age of about 8 years old. The others were coming across copys of L.B.S.C The Live Steam Book dated 1950 and L.Sparey The Amateurs Lathe about the same age in a secondhand bookshop, on the same day. Both books are always in use, i owe a lot to both men. Daggers Think I remember the one, in parts close to a wall with a small tunnel, probably where the aquarium is now. Rode on it several times in the mid to late 60's when I'd have been the same age. Andrew Thats the one andrew, the two steam locos, Valiant and Victory, ran until circa 1965 when the were replaced by petrol locos. The two steam locos ended up in a scrap yard, how times have changed.
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tigermoth
Seasoned Member
Birthday 27 Aug 1941
Posts: 141
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Post by tigermoth on Mar 15, 2021 21:28:10 GMT
What a wonderful thread, gives a lot of insight into the workings of the great crowd we have on this forum, thanks to all of you for the peep into your worlds.
With me it was being crap at woodwork, gave up metalwork when I found lumpy jumpers, had been a spotter for as long as I can remember and loved walking down the canal to the hole in the fence at Old Oak Common, walking round keeping a lookout for the watchman, got chucked out a few times, was always looking for the odd King (I had copped them all) so it made sense to me that when I decided to have a go it had to be a King, there is an OO brass king along with a couple of Hornby kings in a display case, think there must be around 20 OO kings around the house somewhere, there are also 5 HO Big Boys and 5 Cab Forwards all with sound cards in.
Norman.
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Post by mugbuilder on Mar 16, 2021 1:48:13 GMT
My dad had a small engineering business at home and there was always machinery to play with. He had been a model engineer before the second world war and had built a small stationary engine and a 2-1/2" gauge pacific that had sat on top of a wardrobe in my bedroom. He also had a good pile of old Model Engineer magazines from the 1930s and 1940s. I was sick for several months when about 10 years old and being an avid reader, read all of them after having exhausted all of the other reading matter in the house. I became hooked on the 'LBSC' articles and that is what started me off with a lifelong hobby -Job.
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Post by keith1500 on Mar 16, 2021 8:10:24 GMT
My motivation to go to my shed and work on my engine? TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AWAY FROM THE BLOODY WIFE!!!!!!! Regards, Steve
May be the reason we now need to log in to read this stuff!!
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