|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2014 10:05:14 GMT
Hello All
I am new here and new to live steam and still pretty new at the model engineer thing but I am having fun.
I have been bitten by the bug and I am intrigued with the Emma Victoria from ME. Has anyone started her? Have any problems been found up to about section10 or so?
I have started to read through the plans and looked at some of the drawings and they look to be very well done.
Cheers
Tom
|
|
|
Post by ejparrott on Jun 12, 2014 12:06:54 GMT
In my view, you'd be better off following Roger's Speedy example or even get hold of the corrections and build a Simplex. I've been following the Emma Victoria series and I've seen enough examples of poor quality design to never advise anyone to follow it, and I know I'm not alone in that view.
|
|
|
Post by sparticusrye on Jun 12, 2014 13:12:54 GMT
I have started building an Emma Victoria. There was a correction posted on the ME Forums about a lack of clearance for one of the cranks, that is as far as I've built so far. Moving house last summer has slowed me down considerably and then a member of my club offered up his 3.5" Pamela to me which I jumped on. Since then I've been buisy running the Pamela and doing some tweaks and repairs since its older than I am, so I haven't really put too much time into Emma over that last year other then to print the articles and add them to my binder for the build.
If I was to go back I might have started a Simplex or Super Simplex instead since they've been built for years with a lot of success. I will finish my Emma eventually but its becoming a longer term project then I had originally intended.
James
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2014 13:25:29 GMT
Pardon my ignorance here but are the plans for Speedy in the mag archives? I would like to have a look at it.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
|
Post by sparticusrye on Jun 12, 2014 13:33:23 GMT
I believe the Speedy articles are from before the digital archive started. I have a PDF copy and the club I'm with ,FSME in Kingston Ontario where I am, has access to a complete set of ME magazines from very early on. I just noticed your located in Lindsay. The Speedy articles were reprinted in a book which is available from Tee Publishing in the UK, I have a copy, but I was put off by the reported problems with the published valve timing/setup. Roger has put a lot of time into the corrections and started a Wiki that helps with the needed corrections.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2014 13:42:23 GMT
I found the wiki and it looks like the engine would be too large for me to handle. I am limited to 35 or 40 lbs or so. I am just a beginner at this and I need something almost fool proof.
I hope to get down your way later in the summer.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
|
Post by sparticusrye on Jun 12, 2014 13:54:47 GMT
If your looking to see us running then our next few dates are:
Sydenham Canada Day Celebration - 1 July 2014 - FSME will be setup with our portable highline. Verona Cattail Festival - 9 August 2014 - FSME will have the portable groundline setup. Battersea Pumpkin Festival - 5 October 2014 - This is held at the ballfield next to our track and we will be doing a lot of public runs. We will have both the highline, 3.5" 4.75" and 5", and the groundline, 7.25", running for this event.
I'll be at all three of these events so just ask for James if your there.
|
|
|
Post by sncf141r on Jun 12, 2014 15:47:05 GMT
... I've been following the Emma Victoria series and I've seen enough examples of poor quality design to never advise anyone to follow it, and I know I'm not alone in that view. I know that it's your view, but, how many designs have been published that are correct first time around? Not LBSC's. Not Martin Evans, nor Keith Wilson. It's tough being an author of a long series, I'd guess - you build the locomotive, you have to write it up, and someone will come along and say "hey, that's not right!". I think Nick Feast found that out when people said "hey, that's a real picture of a real workshop, but it's dangerous!" (and, not showing pictures of THEIR workshops, because we all do things that could be considered dangerous) My Emma-Victoria issue? It's 5" gauge, too wide for most of the tracks around here by 1/4 inch.! So, the author got the gauge wrong! How could he have done that! To the original poster - Tom - look at the Conway locomotive; looks big, but is really quite light and very simple to build. And, it will run on all tracks without the silly gauge issue. John.
|
|
|
Post by marshall5 on Jun 12, 2014 16:26:34 GMT
[quote author=" sncf141r" I know that it's your view, but, how many designs have been published that are correct first time around? Not LBSC's. Not Martin Evans, nor Keith Wilson. John.[/quote] IMHO Ken Swan is a notable exception. I didn't find a single error on his Wren drawings and friends who have built other designs by Ken say the same. Ray.
|
|
|
Post by sncf141r on Jun 12, 2014 17:27:42 GMT
IMHO Ken Swan is a notable exception. I didn't find a single error on his Wren drawings and friends who have built other designs by Ken say the same. Ray. Ah good to know. If I was not so "hot off the mark" I would have realized that my Kozo Hiraoka Shay is (for the parts that I followed the plans) error free, but the locomotive is about 98% done, so maybe there'll be one clanger as a last step. I know that everyone tries to be 100% correct, but attaining that goal is difficult. What's the saying? The last 20% takes 80% of the time? Probably holds true when designing a locomotive, or other item. Hope we are all having fun - John.
|
|
|
Post by ejparrott on Jun 12, 2014 20:10:47 GMT
Last 20% of the design of my engine is definitely taking x number of times more to finish than the first 80%
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 10:49:12 GMT
Thank You for all the replies.
I have looked at the Conway and it is very interesting. I have als been having a look at the Darjeeling Class B in 3 1/2 but I don't know if I have the skill level for that one.
Currently I am working on a freelance Clishay and a 3 1/2" Juliet2, so I am not short of projects.
A group of us are in the midst of building our own track on private land. It is an elevated, 3 1/2 and 5" track that at this point will be about 800 ft long.
I also will be joining the Richmond Hill Live steamers this weekend and they have all sorts of sizes of tracks as well as the opportunity for some driving and steaming lessons.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
|
Post by sncf141r on Jun 13, 2014 12:19:32 GMT
Tom;
1) I *think* that last time I was at Richmond Hill, the 5" ground line was not continuous any more, (7-1/4 only). Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers has 4-3/4, same with Montreal, Kingston has both 4-3/4 and 5", with Ottawa being 5". Probably about 90% of the time it's 4-3/4" over here in North America.
2) The Darjeeling in 3-1/2 is a formidable locomotive; you thought a Simplex was large…
It's fun dreaming… John.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 14:33:48 GMT
John, it is fun to dream ... if not for dreaming I would not have got this far!
I have now also looked at Simplex and Super Simplex. Does anyone have an estimate of the dry weight of these loco's?
I know, a lot of questions, but that is how I learn. I have not the advantage of being around this hobby much. My experience until a short time ago was gently caressing the workings of a friend's 7 1/4 King.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,896
|
Post by jma1009 on Jun 13, 2014 14:50:16 GMT
hi tom,
welcome to the forum.
there is already a long list of drawing errors with EMMA VICTORIA, and IMHO the boiler is too small for the large cylinder bore. there are numerous rather stupid and ill-thought out details that for example make the design far inferior to don young's 5"g RAILMOTOR.
if you are limited in carrying weight to 35-40lbs i think you will find EMMA VICTORIA around 70lbs when finished. i think my own RAILMOTOR weighed in quite a bit more than this.
a 3.5"g martin evans 0-6-0T ROB ROY might be more suitable for your weight requirement. miniature locos can be very awkward to lift handle/carry and generally work out far heavier than the UK H&S guidelines for a carrying weight un-aided.
cheers, julian
|
|
|
Post by alanstepney on Jun 13, 2014 15:07:16 GMT
I would suggest looking at Ajax, if you want a 5" loco. An older design, but simple to build. and runs well.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 16:52:50 GMT
Thanks again for the replies.
Julian, Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I have looked at Rob Roy and there may even be a set of plans locally that I can buy. I am awaiting an email on it. The castings I would need look reasonable as well.
For now, it is back to the shop and carrying on with Juliet.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
|
Post by sncf141r on Jun 13, 2014 17:24:30 GMT
Tom;
A Simplex is about 140 lbs, from what I remember. (we have one of each in the club, and asked the "ordinary" Simplex owner the weight a while ago)
My 3-1/2 2-8-2 is 160ish, engine + tender. My little Tich is really manageable, but the grate/smokebox does need cleaning out rather regularly. (Tich flies as cabin baggage on Air Canada, FWIW. It has to go into the overhead compartment, so is in a nice box)
Keep going with the Juliet, and VISIT OTHER TRACKS to see what's available. Locomotives get big and heavy, fast. I'm like you - I like smaller, manageable ones.
Julian's idea of a Rob Roy is right on - nice little locomotive, one of my favourites. A few "errata" areas - look on this forum, and on Alan Stepneys' site for some changes to the design.
John.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2014 18:00:23 GMT
Thanks for that John.
There are way too many choices so I will work on what I have for now and keep my eyes and ears open.
Cheers,
Tom
|
|
jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,896
|
Post by jma1009 on Jun 13, 2014 21:13:25 GMT
hi tom, if you decide to build ROB ROY then you need to have a set of plans that incorporate or copy of ME 5th Sept 1986. anyway good luck with your Juliet. cheers, julian
|
|