LBSC Pamela

[baggo]

Hi Pete,

can't help you with full size plans but I do have the ME articles.
The loco is a freelance - it was LBSC's idea of what a rebuilt Spam Can might have looked like.

John

[lostinclagg]

Pete,

This was L.B.S.C's anticipated re-build of Bulleid's Southern Railway 'Merchant Navy' class, described in 1950, some 6 years before the first MN went in for rebuilding.

But when are you going to live up to your name and build an original ? You've been on about it for ages. . .

[lostinclagg]

Pete,

I can't believe you would even think about going there - wasn't it you that said 'fossilised dinosaur poo is the only fuel for a loco' ?

A rebuilt has just as many parts, plus horrendous stretchers, and complex cladding to make.

At least the valve gear parts on a spam can are small.

Now get out one of your 'original' photos, stare at it a lot and visualise it. Then you've just got to be brave and go for it !

[steammadman]

valve gear bullied style oil baths and all why not ?

it has been done in 31/2" g , not by me i hasten to add,
but a guy at doncaster plant did it ,cant remember how
well it worked but it did work.
i wonder what happened to the miniature loco?
that was in about 1952 or 3

[lostinclagg]

Pete,

As suggested by steammadman, it has been done successfully (actually it was Derby) - the full works, in 3.5" gauge (probably your preferred scale) by W. Devitt, see M.E. of 4/10/1968, and two subsequent articles.

Why would you need to be reduced to the size of a seagull ? Besides they don't have fingers... The gear would hang off stretchers which can be offered up into the frames.

I also heard of someone building the valve gear as a drop in cassette, neat idea; but sadly the builder died fairly recently, and I have been unable to track the part built loco.

If you want something special you've got to get stuck in !!! We only get our skills by having a go.

Or you could build a 2 cylinder look-a-like with Maisie cylinders and motion, lots of possibilities . . . .

[lostinclagg]

Pete,

They are different locomotives that happen to share a boiler, a set of wheels and outside cylinders and a front bogie; so forget any idea about adapting later.

Anyway once you having a running loco you will have no heart to take it off the rails for a major rebuild, and not be able to go steaming.

I'm disappointed you are even considering giving up without a fight, and there are NO plans for a 3.5" rebuilt. Besides, it is only valve gear, not micro-surgery, and you don't have to fit a steam reverser. If you're that phased, go for a 2 cylinder with Stephenson's gear.

Don't be a wimp, better to put your energies into the loco you want, than start an off-the-shelf design, only to find after 3-4 years of time and money spent that your desire is elsewhere, and you could have been building the loco you really want to drive.

Now get out your new photo of the original Bulleid paciific - is this want you want ?

However, if you're thinking of giving up that easily, you might as well build a Simplex or a Sweet Pea and be done (and be bored).

However, if you're really driven . . . .

[baggo]

Hi Pete,

Pamela is only 2 cylinder. She's basically a tarted up Doris and used the same cylinder castings and motion work.

I've a vague idea that Reeves originally did the castings for Pamela although as mentioned above most of them were probably for Doris anyway. They are advertising 3½" gauge Boxspok wheels to clear so if you want some get them now!

A piccy I took at Chesterfield last year. Don't know what the valve gear is though!



You could always really wimp out and fit slip eccentric ;D

John

[havoc]

As I was told when I started: "you got to make all the parts, whatever you want to make". I can only repeat what is said before. It is easier to keep motivation going if you build what you really like. I have seen this with a club project. A lot of people start but somehow they don't go to the end even years later. In the middle they take up another loc and finish that in half a year.

[lostinclagg]

Pete,

What IS important is building the loco you want, and yes ideally (in this case) with 3 cylinders. Hacvoc's comment is very true.

It is not important what the valve gear is - use Hielan Lassie cylinders if you like (been done before), and maybe have the third cylinder driven from eccentrics on the rear axle; this would not be cheating.

But there would be little extra work (as a project) to do it as per full size, and you might enjoy the relative uniqueness.

Forget slip eccentrics though, the performance will be lousy.

The big advantage of the original design (it is NOT unrebuilt) is you can arrange to lift off the cladding for easy access, for oiling etc.

[havoc]

Are you in for the fun of making it or for the fun of driving it?

[lostinclagg]

Pete,

Please re-read my posts, I think you have me confused with someone else.

What gauge are you actually wanting to build ? Pamela is 3.5" gauge.

[simonwass]

baggo said:

A piccy I took at Chesterfield last year. Don't know what the valve gear is though!

You could always really wimp out and fit slip eccentric ;D
John

Heres my picture of Mr. Cottams Bullied.
It is full chain driven valvegear!
Runs as good as it looks.

[mutley]

Havent we been here before?
modeleng.proboards20.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1167339350&page=1
There are two Merchants running around fully streamlined, chain driven valve gear, steam reversers and multi nozel blast pipes. A chat with the builders may find all the info you want, failing that York museum has all the drawings, Ive got the numbers somewhere.

Andy

[eightpot]

Kennions at Hertford used to do drawings and castings for "Pamela", they were taken over by GLR who are now near Coventry. They may still be able to supply.

[lostinclagg]

Pete,

Came across this site which may be of interest - though I can't see a Pamela.

Type bulleid and locos into Google and the third entry returned may be of interest.

[ausdan]

was it this addy

www.bulleidlocos.org.uk/intro.aspx