First steps

[pauldenney]

Dear all

First of all hi, This is my first posting on the forum.

I have been working in engineering for quite a few years, most of which has
Been spent making things for other people. Now has come the time I feel to
Indulge myself and make things for myself and my own enjoyment. So a little while ago I bought a book called “Building simple model steam engines”
By Tubal Cain and much fun has been had since, not that I am not altogether new to the world of Steam however as I recently built a 3D moving Jigsaw puzzle of a Bolton and Watt Engine for Kew bridge steam museum.

So much for the background, here is my question, If you were going to build your first steam loco what would you build?

I have access to a fully equipped workshop and am putting together a workshop of my own. I am modestly skilled at turning, milling, sheet metal working and pattern making. I am not a total beginner, but I am no expert. I don’t have any deadlines to work to (I know this will take years) and most of all I want to learn. I figure that by
The time I have put my first engine together my skills as an engineer will be 100 fold
better than they are now.

Oh I defiantly want to make a 5” gauge loco, as I am 6ft and have fingers like pork sausages.

I look forward to your reply’s.

Paul

[alanstepney]

I know you said 5", which rules out some of what I consider to be the easiest engines to build.
However, that is your choice.

In 5", take a look at Butch or Chub. Work well, and are simple to build.
Butch has been used as the club engine in several clubs.

Main of Kent, and Minx are two LBSC designs that also fit those criteria.

Many people like Sweet Pea, and although it is not my choice, they are popular and do appear to run well.
Tich x 2 has been built by many. I dont think I would suggest it as a first engine, but others may disagree.

Ajax is an engine that I feel is very much underated, and looks good too.

Metro, by Martin Evans is another engine that isnt too complicated, and the same applies, to perhaps a lesser extent, to his Terrier.

There is always Simplex, which, despite its name, isnt quite a simple as some think. But does work well.

There are many other designs, some of which make superb models, but really arent ideal for a first attempt.

Overall though, pick something you like the look of. That gives an added incentive to finish it.

[pauldenney]

Alan

Thanks for the pointers. I have had a look at the engines you sudjested and I like the look of either the Butch or the Chub.

As far as usability is concerned does the 0.6.0 have mutch advantage over the 0.4.0?

Paul

[charles]

;D hallo Paul
Charles here now that is a good question and a easy one to answer....we all have favorite i like yourself have fiddled about helping other people messing about and getting nowhere fast for myself until i bit the bullet five inch gauge is nice if you are a young bloke not like myself who have joined the group of people who have all day to do and play in the shed,,,,my personal thoughts five inch requirement finished engine ,,,hefty vehicle to cart it to the club track and preferably 2 people to help you load the engine at home this is hernia work,,,,,next 3.5 gauge this is easily manageable on your own with a medium to small vehicle
and the ultimate engine 2.5 gauge why ,,,easy if your garden is big enough you lay your own track and you will soon have other keen 2.5 gauge enthusiasts with an array of rolling stock in the kitchen giving the good lady a head ache about making tea for the lads ... and the workshop is on hand to get back into the old habit of doing things for other people again ,,, nothing like a fully equipped working tooled up shed for quick repair OK this hasn't really answered your question,,,,,,right the thing is easy to answer you build your favorite engine or 2 the reason for that answer is it is quite possible that it will get finished and not get lost in the great big cyberspace of e-bay in other words its a favourite engine and not an engine that you are half interested in you see a lot of this on e-bay unfinished project ,,that is sad al that work put into that project and someone reaps the benefit doesn't even cover the cost of materials ,,,,OK you say i don't have the experience theres plenty of experience on this site and others ,,, just ask and you will get a wealth of information back next thing where can i get drawings ,,,they are not really required if you do enough research on the net you will find more pictures than you really require and this will help in your basic decision of the favourite engine OK you have decided on the engine and no plans for it not a problem just ask on this site some one might have the particular engine in the model engineering series nothing more is needed than that if there isn't a particular part of the engine that not explained very well do your own thing by using the research you have gained of the net OK Paul this sounds like i know what i am doing and an old hand ,,no not really i am in the same boat as you are i started building a Juliet 35 years ago got as far as the frames and some how it got lost under the bench LOST INTEREST thats sad sold it a year ago on e-bay the great engine bay of wayward projects
i am back into the miniature steam again with a 3.5 gauge 9f 2-10-0 all them wheels ,,,good fun,,, and a small bullied rebuilt Atlantic 4-6-2 2.5 gauge these 2 engines i really like simply i have ridden on them both as a boy on the boat train and evening star up at minehead i fell in love with evening star as i was eyeballing the engine and bought the book of how to do from the station book shop and the bullied i found an excellent set of driving wheels on e-bay they are exceptionally well built they had to be put to good use and thats how i got interested in 2.5 gauge had no drawings and not likely to get any then i asked for help on one of the e-bay groups and luck was with me ,,, john b returned and he said that he had a series in model engineer and john downloaded the whole series to me OK that was in 5 inch scale divide that by 2 i have 2.5 scale next thing i did load it into photo impact and with the use of the dynamic zoom brought the drawings up to 2.5 scale this saves me drawing to many hard lines with the pencil basically after that do your own thing keep it to scale as much as possible and make it as esthetically pleasing to the eye as possible sorry Paul i am rambling on here
but do choose the engine that you would be proud to own and build it well and the biggest piece of advice i can give you paint it well ,,, you can have a lovely built engine which is a credit to your skill ,,,,,AND THE PAINT JOB WILL MAKE OR BREAK IT... if you are interested in the bullied rebuilt Atlantic i can help with the diagrams which i got from john .b best of Luck with your project
Charles west oz just food for thought

[alanstepney]

Mar 26, 2008 19:10:48 GMT pauldenney said:

Alan

Thanks for the pointers. I have had a look at the engines you sudjested and I like the look of either the Butch or the Chub.

As far as usability is concerned does the 0.6.0 have mutch advantage over the 0.4.0?

Paul

I've only just noticed this question, so, in answer to it, an 0-6-0 will generally give a smoother ride, and have more hauling power.

The 0-4-0 is easier to build, apart from less wheels, there is the matter of coupling rods etc,

The 0-6-0 is usually larger, and hence, heavier.
The 0-4-0 will get round tighter curves, which may be important if you are considering having your own track.

However, both Butch and Chub are small for the gauge, in fact, not much larger than a 3 1/2" tank engine, and smaller / lighter than most 3 1/2" tender engines.

As a VERY rough guide, Alax will haul 3 or 4 people, whereas Butch will haul 6-8. Obviously more if they are children, but very variable depending upon track, curves, gradiants, etc, and the type and condition of passenger cars.

[denis M]

My vote for a first engine goes to a Sweet Pea. Big enough to make mistakes and get away with them, freelance so can do what you like, usable on raised and ground level and will pull people.

Denis

[steam4ian]

G'day Paul.

Have a look at Blow Fly, an Ozzie design. How pretty this 0-4-0 looks is up to you. There are a number of design simplifications with the aim of making building more steamlined. One downfall to some is the slip eccentric valve gear, but then again it is a very simple loco. It apparently has lots of pulling power.

To me an important thing is the pulling power, this is a function of cylinder diameter, steam pressure and wheel diameter. Some scale 5" locos would have much less pull than a "Sweat Pea" or "Blow Fly".

From what others say is it is important to build something you want, a loco outline you like, within the limits of your ability, budget and time.

For me I think I can make the Blow Fly interesting by setting the prototype at 2'6' to 3'6" gauge and adjusting dimensions accordingly to look more like a Peckit or Kerr Stewart.

Regards,
Ian