Magazine

[theflyingscotsman]

So just got my 1st me magazine in i don't know long, and im seriously disappointed. I have back issues from decades ago and this months to be honest is... well ... boring. I got a deal on a few mo ths magazines but if they don't improve il not bother. I were looking forward to it as I were thinking how it used to be

[Deleted]

I would agree Lee that it's not as good as the old days but is that due to editing or lack of supplied content? I suspect that there are less model engineers today than say 25 years ago?
Going on a tangent, I have had correspondence from Martin (editor) who has said he wishes to publish my build thread in ME in full, that will take some years to complete. No idea when this will start but he said 'soon'...we shall see...

Pete

[JonL]

I suspect they just can't find the content anymore. People come on forums and write up their work here instead!

It's a shame. I wish I knew enough to have something worthy of sending in myself.

[theflyingscotsman]

I suppose you could be right, I guess I were just a bit frustrated at waiting for it to come(verylate) after not having 1 for years. Il see what next month is like

[jasonb]

ME and MEW have also both had their budgets cut due to loss of income due to covid so they are down on pages and also rerunning the odd old article particularly in MEW.

Although people do write up builds on forums more these days they are often of already published designs that have already been in the model engineering press, I would rather see new subjects. Which reminds me I should be finishing off a new series rather than flicking around the forums but don't get too excited it's not a loco.

[JonL]

I've just put in a subscription to ME as a way of cheering myself up in the current tumultuous climate.

Does anyone design locomotives these days? Maybe there would be a good market for drawings using existing available cylinder castings for example, something that would suit novice engineers. I suspect the transfer of skills isn't very effective right now, we are at risk of not encouraging novices to give something simple a go.

One of my worst failings is being afraid to do things because of the high standard of work I see from others. I often forget they were not born experienced engineers.

[dscott]

I do Nobbysideways.
My backburners being ASIA and Super 1500, And yes helped Roger out on his quest for a much better model.
She is 5/16 too high on the frames for a start. YES Swindon was restricted by their biggest plaining machine of course.
Batches of 10 pairs of frames as well!!! Hence 1500 to 1510

Currently it is the minefield of Twin Sisters... Again designed at a time when he could go and see the Fowler 2 F Dock Tanks in action, ALL 10 of them. Last night I was on the steps.
And the brakeshaft bracket. Via internet photos of the full size ones of course.
1 1/16" to the foot scale instead of 1" to the foot.
Butch is in fact done on a tracing of Twin Sisters and uses the same size wheels and Cylinders.
Twin Sisters cylinders are beyond complicated.
The frame drawing beyond PANTS!!! Not all holes are shown and seem to be added later! They are your MASTER JIG or are meant to be from which you drill into your other components inside and outside.

She is now in metric and the Jinty Boiler fits with a little licence into the cab.
Jinty by Martin Evans is PANTS as well.
A great indicator is the Archive on Station Road Steams web site. Type in Pansy or Simplex and you have masses. Jinty or Asia or Twin Sisters and you are struggling with so few. plus many unfinished.
This will not fit into this, This is the wrong shape. How do you paint it when finished for Asia?

Jessie has the best drawings on the planet next to Trevor Shortland and his King and Large Prairie.

I have an Industrial Design Degree and have done this as employment during working. 23 years as a Senior Technician teaching Students how to make things at the University of Plymouth and also teaching drawing up to cad!!!
Have been in the hobby since I was 15 which also helps. At School with Alan Wilson which also helps with my miss spent youth in his dad Keith's workshop.

David and Lily.

[delaplume]

Hi Nobby,

Quote}--- "Does anyone design locomotives these days? Maybe there would be a good market for drawings using existing available cylinder castings for example, something that would suit novice engineers."

Yes, I designed my 5"gauge Great Bear ......Almost all the castings are available commercially whilst the rolling chassis, in the form of a Star / Castle, is already a proven entity.......... The unique model Boiler design is entirely my own product, having taken 18 months of research and validation before being built by a professional person ( Mr. John Ellis. ).....A full set of working drawings for loco and tender are now resting in my archives.......

I once owned a 5" gauge Parallel Boiler'd Scot where the 3 cylinder sets appeared to be from Simplex !!..ie it was as slide valve engine........It ran superbly and pulled 2-3 trucks of adults with ease.......Not an "elite" exhibition engine I grant you,  but a useful and acceptable Club loco  that all could enjoy.....

Nobby, just do what YOU want to do....... OK, let the Top guys be your inspiration but don't be a slave to aspiration........it'll either come in time-----or not, but does that matter ??.......For me it's the journey, not the destination that gives the "Buzz" if you like....

PS}---- If you want inspiration from an ordinary "Joe"  just remember the story of Bert Monroe......The Fastest Indian..

[JonL]

Time to get them published then!

[delaplume]

Hi Nobby---------- I was adding a bit in Edit when you posted.....

[delaplume]

Nov 18, 2020 16:14:07 GMT JonL said:

Time to get them published then!

Sorry----------absolutely not !!

I did it for myself in order to build a loco.......it took nearly 5 years of evenings and late nights--- sometimes up to 4 in the morning !!---- the boiler research and design alone was approx 18 months  including 2 separate day-visits to the offices at York Museum.......plus countless phone calls ( made and received ), discussions at various clubs, etc, etc..and also some R & D work to prove various new parts........ It must total a good 2 to 3,000 hours or more...

Much as I like the "Band of Brothers" that are the Model Engineering fraternity I'm not about to give all that effort away for nothing !!...........So it'd have to be a commercial effort then...............However, I've mentioned elsewhere on this Forum that my Brother-in-Law has become a successful author over the last 20 years or so and I have been party to his "ups" and "downs" and stress involved along the way......and it's not for me, thank you very much !!..

From a technical point it'd only be another "build" along traditional lines anyway...In model terms the rolling chassis is no more than a Star / Castle modified to suit...the boiler is a simple version of a Duchess or Princess.......... so nothing really new to catch the imagination... 

At age 72 I already have enough activity to fill my day 3 times over !!....I want to spend what time I have left before Mr. G. Reaper Esq. comes a-calling
just pottering around like all the others.......

So thanks for the support and encouragement,  but no cigar I'm afraid....

Alan 

[JonL]

It's not for everyone. I've had two books published now, one I was not very happy with (I allowed myself to be rushed and compromised quality) and the other I'm genuinely pleased with. Not enough money to retire on but nice to sometimes walk into a bookshop and see a copy on the shelf.

[JonL]

Really glad I got a subscription.... haven't seen hide nor hair of it yet...

[JonL]

Arrived yesterday, a nice distraction from the little jobs piling up round the house!