GER/LNER/BR Y4 loco 0-4-0

[peter99]

After more than 15 years of intermittent make and build the Y4 is finished.
In the Y4's life so far there have been at least 3 write up 'words & music" and reissued sets of drawings, with and between to suit.
I choose the Y4 as the loco to build as it was one of the few 0-4-0's with Walchearts drive which I much like the look of and also it was a 'beginners' loco.
Unfortunately the original design was 'upgraded' to be 'prototypical' which from that point on together with drawing mistakes it ceased to become a beginners loco.
I started the build with laser cut mainframes and cab plates these were very useful indeed and saved a lot of slog.
The boiler I brought new but unused from a disillusioned Y4 wannabe.
I soldiered on and have managed to squeeze in al the necessary bits so it looks roughly like the Y4 on shed at Stratford, London.
For instance my Y4 rather that steel face wood blocks for buffers has the usual steel buffers. 'cos as my Wife said 'it dos'nt look like a proper train!
It is interesting that the first of the three write ups was the more concise but missed out parts and tailed off towards the end. The second write by a GL5 member was the best but unfortunately never really fully got under way. The third write up in E in M was too long too much waffle and never finished which could be significant.
Anyway, the other day I topped up with deionised water and put the propane torch to the coal hole.
In a few minutes there was steam, water and oil issuing forth from many places and it hadn't reached 25psi on the gauge! I so thought that all my jointing was perfect!
It was a surprise because previously an air test on the chassis and all was OK, but that was a few years ago.
So to cut a long story short after smoke box, blower, regulator and main steam pipe etc strip down and careful rebuild I have now only to seal the flange of the regulator with Loctite 574 for which I am awaiting delivery and it'll be all systems go, I hope!
Will keep you advised!

[mbrown]

Congratulations! That moment when you first see steam pressure building up is pure magic. And it certainly does show the leaks much better than listening for the hiss of escaping air...

I am interested in your comments on the three different phases in the descriptions of the Y4, as I followed it closely in EIM the first time around when "Chips" Harrison described it and again in more recent EIMs when Doug Hewson described it - and I was amazed at how the design had changed between the 1980s and the 2010s.... I agree, definitely more prototypical but not so straightforward. I didn't know there had been a second set of descriptions elsewhere. To be fair, I think the reason the most recent series tailed off is that Doug had some serious health problems. Interestingly, in both cases, the person doing the write up tried to maintain equivalent progress on the model in their own workshops - not a common thing with published designs.

Very best of luck with doing the final tweaks, and I hope you get some good track time with it soon.

Malcolm

[kipford]

I am looking forward to my own similar moment, well done. How about some pictures!
Dave

[flyingfox]

Well done Peter, it is a great feeling to open the regulator for the first time in steam.
Regards
Brian

[peter99]

Many thanks indeed for all your posts and have some pics and will have another try to post, not the most straightforward of procedures!
The interesting Y4 write-ups in the GL5 Turnout magazine during 1990's (?) were written up by Tim Coles and George Gibbs. Am sure the GL5 could sort something.

In my original post I should have mentioned that one of the reasons I choose the Y4 was that a write up said it could be lifted by one man into the boot of a car! Some man!
I can only stagger a few paces and I do move a few weights in the gym. It is surprisingly big!
Approx dims. 27 ins x 12 in H x 10 in W.

Some years ago I had the lucky chance of spotting on eBay and winning the bid for a bound volume of Model Engineer covering LBSC's correspondence with Greenly re: The Battle of the Boilers. mid 1920's c.
A really interesting read but from that it made me realise how good Curly was with his 'words and music'. There is no doubt an exceptional man in what he did throughout his life, the like of which I doubt will ever be repeated.
And this reminds me of an occasion some years ago of visiting a club where he was known and they didn't want to discuss him as he was one of those! How times have changed!
I will be having another go with the pics but they do so seem to high light it's short comings!

[silverfox]

Peter

Curly was an early version of Eddie Izzard! If you can get hold of Hollingsworth book about him it is an interesting read

He was also a Mason and worried about his membership when he'came out' he was told not to worry about it. Some years ago at Ally Pally Exb a stand had his regalia on show.

[peter99]

Silverfish:
Thanks for your post and will suss out the book but have never heard of Eddie Ezzard but will check out!

[simplyloco]

Jun 21, 2020 11:36:43 GMT peter99 said:

Silverfish:
Thanks for your post and will suss out the book but have never heard of Eddie Ezzard but will check out!

He's just another Fairy Story!
John

[peter99]

Eddie Ezzard, had a check, see what you mean.
I'll put in the same category as Joe Brand.
To avoid at all costs!

Changing the subject, some years ago browsing a charity shop, as one does I spotted LBSC's 'words' on the 'Tich'.
What a book of concise seemingly clear instructions of how to do it! At the time I had already started on the Y4 and was tempted but the die had been cast with money spent. At the same time I picked up Hollingsworth book on LBSC. It was a bullseye visit!


My efforts with the Y4 are not a joy to behold and would need great courage to take to a club as standards are always are so high at these places.

I can recall once seeing an amazing piece of working Victorian steam machinery in a glass case about a foot cube, constructed by Mrs Hills.
I cannot remember what it was now but believe it was of something of an engraving from an old book. Gobsmacked was the word!
I believe all her models, she made a few, reside at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
In another world!

[stevep]

There is a book of Cheery Hill's work. It is called "Cherry's Model Engines", by David Carpenter. Well worth reading - just don't get too disheartened!

[ettingtonliam]

Yes, it pretty much got to the stage that if Cherry was entering an exhibit in the Road Vehicles section of the Model Engineer exhibition, then you knew who was going to get the gold medal. Same with the Duke of Edinburghs Award. Her models are exquisite though. Haven't heard of her for a while, is she still with us?

[stevep]

She was born about 1932, so she is well into her 80's. Her biographies on the web don't say anything about her death, so I assume she is still with us - just not practicing her art any more.

[peter99]

Many thanks for mentioning Cherry Hill’s book, I’ve ordered it! Might find out what I saw!
What is also amazing about her models, I was told they were all working models!

[peter99]

Cherry Hill’s book of her models has arrived!
What can I say?
A read through made me feel somewhat like the time I viewed at the Greenwich Maritime Museum John Harrison’s 1770’s collection of sea chronometers for defining for the first time accurately longitude.
Speechless!

The book was printed in 2014 when Cherry had no computer and was just thinking of buying an iPad!
Cherry makes all her own rivets, nuts, bolts and has a range of homemade spanner’s going down to 16BA in steps of 0.002 in.
Sort of perfection skills which the Greeks honed to be utilised for the temple of Athena goddess of crafts at Athens 5th c.BC.
Another world!

[jon38r80]

I hgave only seen the cover of her book but was reminded of the illustrations of steam locomotives by Emmet which were all a bit unusual.

[peter99]

Jun 28, 2020 13:21:54 GMT jon38r80 said:

I hgave only seen the cover of her book but was reminded of the illustrations of steam locomotives by Emmet which were all a bit unusual.

Jon,

As I go through life my experience is that it is best not to make silly critical comments on a subject one knows nothing about!
Perhaps buy the book and and find out more!

[JonL]

My only objection to Cherry Hill is that she has always been so reluctant to share her techniques! Her work is more like watchmaking.

However I think you may have rather taken Jon38r80 rather the wrong way, I saw no malice in what he said to justify your response.

[ettingtonliam]

Her early works included the traction engine Royal Chester, and at least one Aveling roller if I recall correctly, which were pretty conventional, but exquisite. Later, she moved into modeling subjects taken from patent specifications, some of which may never have been built in real life, and one or two of these were somewhat reminiscent of Roland Emmet's creations, with no disrespect to either Cherry Hill or Roland Emmet.

I recall reading an article about her work in Model Engineer many years ago, in which she said that some of the bolts and pins for her models were so small that if she dropped one on the floor it was easier to make another one than search for it.

Mind you, its possible to lose a 1/2" Whitworth bolt on my workshop floor----.

[jon38r80]

I am sorry I offended you Peter 99 , it certainly wasnt my intention. I was very impressed with the beautiful machine on the front cover of her book, and as others on here have said , the workmanship on that machine is amazing.

[peter99]

Jon,
No worries, it was that to associate Cherry Hill with Roland Emett the cartoonist with his fantastical purposely ramshackle designs rather took me aback.
Cherry’s models may well be towards the quality of a watch but we all have our preferences for a scale to work in and Cherry’s favourite is 1:16, but importantly to further detail and finish than most care to go.
She makes much use of jigs but does not use CNC or computers which surely does not leave much alternative for technique other than skill and hard work!