Schools Traction Engine

[missemmajade]

someone in another thread mentioned the schools traction engine. I seem remember having a colour book on making this once, havent thought of it for years. does anyone have anymore information, or even better, a picture? EJ Winter in sydney list instructions and castings, but I cant find anything else about it anywhere.

maybe someone knows..
*EMMA*

[steam4ian]

G'day Emma

I spoke to Ernie about it last year, I thought about building one for my grandson. It seems it is not available as a one off and although in the catalogue EJW were not stocking it. The kit included castings for the wheels and smoke-box/chimney assembly. The buyer still had to find the other bits.
I am now building something to my own design, it may yet become a Foden over type truck. ;D

regards,
Ian

[ianmac]

I still have my schools traction engine.

Needs an overhaul as bits are worn out. it really coped a flogging as a child. There was never any metho in the house because as soon as i found it, it was quicklyloaded in the belly of the beast.

I was one of the only toys that out lasted my heavy handedness.

I brought my casting (grandad built it) in 1988 from hucar engineering at penrith.

He went bust years ago unfortunatly.

[Shawki Shlemon]

Hi EMMA
I know who bought all the patterns of hucar . I have forwarded your thread to him , see if he respond , if not and you are interested I will call him and see what the situation is and let you know .

[missemmajade]

I am a little interested, Perhaps someone has a picture though?

*EMMA*

[ianmac]

A [picture of a Schools Traction engine

[missemmajade]

thanks for takeing the time, Ian, but it didnt come through please try again.

*EMMA*

[ianmac]

Missjade,

I found the plans for the schools traction engine on thw weekend.

I also started pulling mine down to repair. Looks like someone (sisters kids) have sheared the steampipe from the boiler straight off so it needs silver soldering again.

Did you manage to get some castings?

The plans actually do right through the construction, scribe here, cut here, drill this bla bla bal


Ian

[missemmajade]

cant find castings anywhere.
from memory it shows pattern making and all doesnt it? there wasnt many castings, the wheels, and flywheeel? wonder what else.

*EMMA*

[steam4ian]

G'day Emma

As far as I know the castings are the 4 wheels and a smoke box chimney saddle assembly, only five pieces in all. From what I have seen on ebay they are quite crude.

My kids went to a school where one of the metal work projects was a simple traction engine; my two sons were not in the extended tech studies stream. (Thankfully both are skilled with their hands anyway). The wheel were made up with steel rings with rod spokes.
The TS teacher has retired but I sometimes see him socially so I must remember to ask him for plans.

I am building to my own design, engine is built. The boiler is a copper tube with one fire tube, the end caps are formed so now I have to take it to the boiler inspector before soldering it up. Watch this space, but be patient, I am very busy at present and haven't turned on the lathe or mill for six weeks. Ouch!

Regards,
Ian

[Tel]

Now that rings a bell - some years back I was given a pattern for a smokebox/chimbley/saddle, also one for a wheel - are we talking about the same thing I wonder? I can dig it out for a pic and to run a ruler over it if you'd like.

[ianmac]

Yeah only 5 castings.

I saved for months as a kid and i am sure it cost me $30 bucks in 1988. I was only getting $2bucks pocket money as well ;D