Hi from Oban

[davek]

Hi, saw you have started a new members area, but no one had posted to it. So here goes...

Just starting down the road of model engineering. Planning on building a 5” gauge loco. Not sure what to build, but has some criteria:

• Not freelance
• Something black - preferably LNWR, but LMS is fine
• Suitable for novice to make mistakes on and learn

What suggestions do you have?

Currently don’t have much of a workshop, but I am a teacher so metal workshop at school is available.

Dave

[joanlluch]

Hi Dave,

Wellcome to the forums.

As you figured out, this is the right section to present yourself and to make your fist post. This section was created not many weeks ago so that's why it was still empty. Maybe it would be useful for old members to know a bit more about your background and where are you located. (Is that in Scotland?)

I'm not able to recommend a particular locomotive for you to build because I play on a slightly different field and I do not have experience, but there's a lot of very skilled and experienced forum members who will be happy to assist you on whatever you may need.

You have chosen the right forum to be. It's specifically oriented to steam locomotives -so I assume that's what you want to make- and I'm convinced some of the world's best model engineers are among us. I’m happy to meet more people enjoying this fascinating hobby, so welcome aboard.

Joan

[davek]

Joan, yes Oban is Scotland. It is at the end of one of the 2 West Highland lines. Background is as an electronic engineer and physics teacher. However, I have always had an interest in railways. Had a couple of trips to Barry when I was a kid - great climbing all over the locos in the scrap yard.

I have done a bit of metal work, but know my limitations... There is a small local club that I will get in touch with, so should have some mentoring available.

Dave

[barlowworks]

Hi Dave, welcome aboard. I am also quite new to this big boys metalworking lark myself, having modelled in O gauge for 40 years. I also had to decide what to model and did consider one of the Polly kits as a first go. A friend has their O & K 0-6-0 and it's a cracking little engine. In the end I really wanted a big standard gauge engine and managed to find a part built Britannia with most of the machining done and a commercial boiler for a reasonable price. That gave me a good start and the build threads on this forum are a godsend.

Whatever you decide on you will get plenty of help from this forum ( if you don't mind the occasional lively debate ) and don't forget to do a build thread when you start. We do like a good build thread. 😉

Mike

[albert]

Hello Dave,
I want to sell my workshop if you are interested. (I am now disabled)
Direct contact is preferred.
Albert

[Roger]

Mar 3, 2018 15:22:15 GMT davek said:

Hi, saw you have started a new members area, but no one had posted to it. So here goes...

Just starting down the road of model engineering. Planning on building a 5” gauge loco. Not sure what to build, but has some criteria:

• Not freelance
• Something black - preferably LNWR, but LMS is fine
• Suitable for novice to make mistakes on and learn

What suggestions do you have?

Currently don’t have much of a workshop, but I am a teacher so metal workshop at school is available.

Dave

Hi Dave,
Welcome to a great hobby. I'm heartened to learn that there are still such things are metalwork shops in some schools. They were ripped out of most of them in the South.

If you don't have your own workshop, the amount of time you can realistically spend is going to be severely limited. Building anything from scratch is a huge undertaking, so a home workshop is essential in my opinion. If that includes a lathe and milling machine, so much the better.

Others here know far better than me what designs are available, but be aware that they will all be in imperial units. You might consider changing some stock parts to metric sizes, including threads rather than buy ME taps and dies since you don't have any. You can buy reduced head nuts and bolts from Germany where they have a thriving, all metric, community of Model Engineers.

The assumption in the drawings will be that you can easily get 1/8" thick material for example, whereas now it's easier to get 3mm
So don't be a slave to the drawings. Most things won't be accurately to scale anyway when it comes to thicknesses, so feel free to go Off Piste. Drawings can be taken as a useful guide rather than being sacrosanct.

I second the suggestion to start a build thread once you get started, it keeps everything together and, with plenty of pictures, makes it clear what you're doing.

There's a wealth of knowledge freely given here, and it's been of immeasurable help in my own build. You have to be aware the everyone won't agree on advice, so in the end it's up to you to pick what seems the most appropriate for your own needs. Your workshop and skill set is unique, so your solutions to problems may well be unique too. Don't be afraid to break the mould and do things differently to everyone else!

I look forward to seeing what you get up to.

Roger

[delaplume]

Hello Dave.........it's gone very quiet on here.......

OK, I know you said you don't want a freelance but I would ask you to consider the Mk1 Simplex....It's a well proven, time served design, with lots and lots of them giving great club service........Basically it's an 0 - 6 - 0 side tank engine with outside valve gear, a simple round topped boiler, all castings etc still readily available..........

The cab / water tanks can be commercially obtained as a laser cut kit that you solder together.....And it looks particularly good in Black...

I hesitate to suggest any tender loco but if you don't mind the size then a Springbok, or a Nigel Gresley have outside valve gear, round boilers and can be run in Black livery...

An alternative approach might be to buy a complete and running loco and do a light renovation on it..