My 0-8-0 switcher

[fleetbank]

I'm not going to start a build log but thought I'd link to a few photos of where I'm at with my 3½" gauge 0-8-0 switcher. It's not based on any particular prototype but is an amalgam of the C&O C16 and the N&W S1a and a few others. This year has seen the wheels painted and keyed to the axles, brake gear components made and test assembled, work on the pilot beam and head end brakemen's platforms plus the Franklin radial buffer. Latest work was making the leaf spring retaining gibs, fiddly but satisfying. Currently normalising billets for the intermediate coupling rods in the wood burner, photos on my Flikr here: link

[uuu]

Looks really good.

Wilf

[GWR 101]

Some very nice machining. Paul

[mbrown]

Very nice indeed. Not unlike an inside framed version of my 99 3462 - but you are using much more sophisticated machining methods.

Do keep the pictures coming.

Malcolm

[Nigel Bennett]

Very impressive!
What are those two rectangular holes you've machined in the ends of the pilot beam?

[steamer5]

Really nice work going on there!
Would have been nice to see how you did some of those parts, like Malcolm says keep the photos coming!

Cheers Kerrin

[fleetbank]

Thank you for your kind comments gentlemen, as you can tell I love engineering!
Nigel; the pilot beams were cast steel and in later years part of the locomotive bed frame. I suspect the the rectangular holes were where cores were removed after casting.
Last week I went for a blood test and the nurse gaily told me she had a cold, now I have, and I feel crap so no work today, so I'll upload more stuff to Flickr, I've added a few more of the 0-8-0 and I'll put some on of my last motorcycle project, not model engineering but may be of interest from an engineering standpoint.

[Jim Woods]

Excellent work that. looking forward to more great pictures. Keep it up
Old bikes and model engineering seem to go together. AJS man myself.

[fleetbank]

Still feeling awful with this cold and now the Boss has got it too, poor thing. Once again no work done despite some parts for a 750cc MV Augusta to modify for a friend. In moments of lucidity I've posted more photos of my motorbike under construction and a Bavarian S3/6 4 cylinder compound I made over 35 years ago. Go to the Albums list.
Cheers.

[David]

Excellent, looking forward to more photos as you go!

[mugbuilder]

Fabulous work being done there.

[fleetbank]

Thank you mugbuilder. I've updated my Flickr album on this loco with photos of how I made the first intermediate coupling, or side rod in US parlance. Also created some more albums which should be of interest to model loco builders, link at the top of this page or this one may work:
www.flickr.com/photos/160115888@N08/albums/72177720311925798

[mbrown]

Superb work.

Malcolm

[fleetbank]

Nov 13, 2023 18:40:11 GMT mbrown said:

Superb work.

Malcolm

Thank you Malcolm, really enjoying myself, just wish I could spend more time on it.

[fleetbank]

Hello folks, I've added a few more photos of the switcher on Flickr, inserted in the correct sequence of construction, also more albums of model locomotives.
www.flickr.com/photos/160115888@N08/albums/with/72177720312943611

[fleetbank]

Finally got to do a little more on my loco this week, emphasis on little! Really want to get on with the coupling rods but not possible at the moment so I decided to tackle some detail: the pilot beam uncoupler lever support brackets, starting with the centre one. I looked at fabricating them but just too much of a faff to get them accurate so fired up the heavy duty turret mill as I decided to make them from steel billet for strength. Still a bit of work to do to tidy up but getting there. More photos on my Flickr album.
The outer ones are going to be tricky as they are much more flimsy and more complex in shape, looking forward to the weekend!
Rear. by Carl, on Flickr
Front. by Carl, on Flickr

[mbrown]

Interesting approach! I would have fabricated those, but your machining skills clearly outstrip mine!

Look forward to seeing more.

Malcolm