Hello all from Richard

[Deleted]

Hello to you all 

Forum  name is 34046 which I am sure some of you will recognise.

I had to amend the name as some members found my real name worthy of derision.

 is a new hobby for me so looking forward to following many interesting threads.

Richard.

[Deleted]

'worthy of derision'...I miss all the fun... Anyway, welcome to the forum Richard, may your membership be long and fruitful....

Pete

[Deleted]

Hello Pete.

Thanks for the welcome

Judging by the quality of members engines I can see I will be wearing L plates for a number of many hopefully enjoyable years.

Richard

[silverfox]

Richard

Enjoy the ride,and welcome

Ron

What are you building?

[Deleted]

Hello Ron

To date I have just built small stationary engines, I started with kits and enjoyed the assembly then made a couple of engines from stock materials.

I now feel confident to tackle a small locomotive so will be reading through to see what would be a good starter loco.

Richard

[silverfox]

Hmmmm that is a very difficult question,lots of variables to consider

The way i looked at it a 3.5g ( BR prototype) is a good size engine to carry, but is low down in the pulling stakes for passengers. However a 3.5g narrow gauge is up there with the 5in (BR) ones but not as heavy

Also 5in gives you a bit more to work with ( consider N and OO gauge)in effect making the small bits are larger ,if that makes sense. Years ago 3.5 was the default size but with the advancement of home eqpt ( Lathes/mills) 5in seems to be the preferred size
Again Size of lathe might dictate size of driving wheels and casting costwise there isnt a vast amount of difference in price.
some engines are 'harder' to do than others. I would guess that on here there is an example of every design built or in progress

Any questions just ask, but at the end of the day it will be your choice,you may have a childhood favourite ( personally i would love to do an Ivor the Engine!!)
look in the Blackgates site they have a good selection there to start narrowing down your eventual project

Regards

Ron

[Deleted]

Thanks reply Ron and for your advice which is most welcome.

Childhood favourite was definitely the Bulleid light pacific West Country class. Our farm was either side of the Barnstaple to Ilfracombe line so was a daily sight often with a banker in summer for the climb up to Morthoe. Happy days.

Richard

[silverfox]

Richard

I think the Bulleids are lovely engines. Keith Wilson did a series (a rebuild) in the ME some years ago, and there are some 'errors' which have be listed by several builders and i believe are readily available. However it isnt the first one i would pick. Looking at the middle cylinder machining gave me nightmares, BUT they are out there and good models too. (perhaps it might be an idea to lok for part built ones on ebay

Like this example of another pacific being built on this forum

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183325491183?ul_noapp=true

If i wasnt up to my knees with my B17 i would have that like a shot it is daylight robbery!!


Met Bert Hooker several times and he had tea with us when he came to give talks. A real Gentleman.
The upside is you have full size ones to take plenty of pics of. Which gives you plenty of excuses to get out to the preserved lines!!

[Deleted]

Ron

Blackgates have a Sweet Violet which seems a good one to start with plus I find that Western Steam have a new boiler in stock which helps.

I think that gets me sorted and thanks for pointing me to them.

Richard

[silverfox]

Richard

That look like a really 'get atable' loco and the fact you can get a ready made boiler speaks volumes

Look forward to your build logs

Ron

[Deleted]

Thanks Ron.

Laser cut frames and stretchers etc was good news for a first build.

Now decided,I will try asking on the sales board if anybody has any bits for sale before ordering from Blackgates.

Richard.

[silverfox]

Richard
,
Have a look at the various 'commercial' sellers for part built and spare bits, also ebay can turn up some gems that A3 was well worth a punt.