Book Recommendations

[andrewtoplis]

Hi All,

A very organised friend has already mentioned the dreaded words 'Christmas' and 'Presents' in the same sentence. Can anyone recommend a good general book on model locos? LBSC's "Shop Shed and Road" or Greenly's "Model Steam Locomotives" any good? Is there anything more modern?

Thanks Guys
Andy

[spurley]

I think the best couple of books available are Model and Miniature Locomotive Construction. by Stan Bray (ISBN:0953652378) or Model Locomotive Construction. by Martin Evans (ISBN:085242602X). These are probably best read together but where the methods described vary, choose the one best suited to the individual's skill and available machinery!

Another 'must have' book for a model engineer is probably Model Locomotive Boilermaking by Alec farmer (ISBN:1852600071).

Stan Bray's book is still available new, for about £30 and Martin Evans' is out of print but can be got either on ebay or from a search on www.abebooks.co.uk. The LBSC book does provide a lot of good info but is not necessarily still relevant to safety or material standards. There are several printings of the book as both 'Shops, Shed and Road' or 'The Live Steam book' and Martin Evans had a hand (or pen) in the later versions of this one.

If you choose to build a speciifc loco model then there are sometimes 'Words and music' books available detailing the construction of them. These can also be got from ebay or abebooks. I have several from engines I am not actually building but they can be referred to and the ideas are useable, with suitable modification for scale etc., on any model one chooses.

I am happy to send you a list of the books I have at home if you write to me off list, [e-mail]. You could then make up your mind what you are looking for and narrow your search?

Cheers

Brian

[Uzzy]

You could try Camden Miniature Steam Services 01373 830151 there wedsite is www.camdenmin.co.uk. There book list is free and has a comprehensive listings 72 pages I'm sure you will find something.
Normal disclaimer I'm just a happy customer.

[denis M]

There is another book " A beginners guide to Model Steam Locomotives " by Tim Coles. Good reading and a constant source for reference.

[Peter W.]

I'm not building any of the following (a 5" Glen as it happens) but I often refer to the following two books
for ideas, especially the first (Sweet Pea) ...

Build your own Steam Loco Jack Buckler ISBN 1 85761 102 0

Rob Roy/ William Martin Evans ISBN 0 85242 929 0

All the best,
Peter

[andrewtoplis]

Dear Brian,

Many thanks for taking the time to write that long reply!

I have the latest Camden catalogue and had already drawn a large ring around Stan Bray’s book hoping to drop a hint to my girlfriend, so your recommendation will seal it. I will probably have to buy it for myself though, as it’s a bit dear for a present! I may try to find LBSC’s book just for a good read. I first read his footplate reminisces when I was a young engine cleaner about eight years ago and was hooked so I have a soft spot for his writing style (I bought Hollingsworth’s biography of him but was quite disappointed as there really isn’t much in it). I do appreciate that LBSC's book is 80 years old now so many techniques and materials will have changed, same for Greenly. I would be very interested to know which other books you find useful, particularly for woeful beginners like me!
As an aside, what would you (or anyone) recommend as a beginners first loco? I have the book on Tich, but some people say to take longer and build something a bit bigger as its more use later?

Thanks Again,
Yours,
Andy.

ps Thanks for the tip about abebooks, it will be very useful!
pps Thanks for replying Uzzy, Denis and Peter. Tim Coles book looks interesting.

[gwrfan]

Hi Andy,

We seem to be going off-track somewhat now, haha, but I thought you were interested in Polly locos? Anyway, I'm not engineer trained in any way, and I built my GWR Pansy with not too much trouble. However, I think loco building is a bit of a mine field. For a start, what gauge are you considering? 5 inch is no more difficult than 31/2 inch, but probably more expensive. I personally wouldn't consider 'Titch' as it is rather small, and still requires a similar amount of work as a larger loco. Similar number of components, but a bit bigger, etc.

Do you want a tank or tender loco? A tender in itself can take up loads of hours in the building, especially if you want to fit brakes and so on.

I'm very happy with my Pansy, but others you might consider in 5 inch are: Simplex, Jinty, Ajax and Achilles (the 0-6-0 version of Ajax). Consider too where you can purchase your castings. Some suppliers are much more expensive than others, so get their catalogues and compare prices first.

Also, you should check out the Homeworkshop website : www.homeworkshop.org.uk/ where you can often find rolling chassis of the smaller locos for sale, like Rob Roy, for instance. That will give you some idea of what might be available, and a price guide too.

Hope this might help a little.

Geoff in GWR Land ;D

[denis M]

Andrew,

May I suggest that if you are looking for a first Loco then consider 5" Gauge Sweet Pea. Why, well when you have finished it the thing will work, if will pull passengers and steam all day. The Loco is easy to build with large enough bits of metal to do something with if you make a mistake. There are plenty of them around so fellow model engineers can give you a hand if you get stuck. They are a proven design and can be made to how you want it. There are many more reasons I can think of. I made one years ago as my first loco and my son has just rebuilt it as his first exercise, and he has moved onto another project from there.

All the best in what ever you decide on.

[andrewtoplis]

Thanks One and All for replying!

I think that Geoff is right about the minefield!! I am unsure about where to start. Probably 31/2" as the prices of 5" parts seem sadly enourmous. Reeves want £125 just for 6 Pansy wheels, which is too high for me, alas. GLR seem a bit cheaper, but I will have to go for a smaller loco.

So...any recommendations in 31/2" then?

Andy.

ps Geoff, which suppliers are cheaper then?
pps, thanks Denis, but if Sweet Pea is priced similarly to other 5" locos its too much!

[spurley]

Hi Andrew

Keep your eye on both ebay and the home and workshop listing for unfinished projects. I have been pretty lucky with some good bargains over the last 18 months and only this week got the makings of a Rob Roy with castings, book and drawings for £50. These are all untouched castings which will keep no problem and can be sold on later if things change.

With regard to which engine to build in 3 1/2" it must be a personal choice but I chose to start with Tich as it is well documented and is a 'simple' project. For example, the valve gear can be either slip eccentirc, very simple, or Walshaert's, complicated but rewarding when finished. The option is also available of building initially with slip and converting later to Walshaert's once she is running and your confidence and competance is higher. If you aren't sure what choices are available, either look in Reeve's catalogue or better still look at www.stationroadsteam.co.uk website. He has a section listing the outlines of all LBSC designs and also carries a range of both finished and unfinished models with good selections of photos available.

From my experience; GLR prices are generally good and their delivery is prompt. They quote prices including VAT and delivery (which is rare and also doesn't seem to change for delivery to Northern Ireland). Blackgates are also pretty good and carry the full range of castings for a lot of designs including Sweet Pea in 5". I have also found that it is good to list one's requirements and tout the list around several suppliers for the best quote. Maybe visit an ME show with your list and see if you can be lucky!

I suppose I have to say that I am in no way connected with any of the businesses I have mentioned this is only given as my experiences!

Good luck Andrew and yes I did know your Dad at the Bluebell, he was often my third man in the eighties. He might remember me as 'Hooliganbrian' a nickname from the mid seventies and in no way reflects my nature at all!!

Cheers

Brian

PS Larne is in County Antrim, about 15-20 North East of Belfast. It is the ferry port for Stranraer and Cairnryan. I actually live on Islandmagee but few people will have heard of that place!

[gwrfan]

Hi Andy,

Well as I was outside, brass-bashing my Maid of Kent tender, I left it to Brian to reply to you, hahaha!

I have had castings from the 3 main suppliers, and much will depend on the loco you are building. Not all 3 of them stock the same loco castings. For instance, Reeves (I think) are the only stockists of my Dukedog/Bulldog castings, so I have no choice of suppliers there. But GLR and Blackgates are somewhat less expensive. An example (which for some reason I compared only last week):

When I was in Coventry, in 1986 I purchased a part set of Torquay Manor castings from my club, being donated following the passing of a member, for £170.00. Included was all wheels and cylinders. Form a 2001 listing, those same castings, in 2001 would have cost £660.00, and today over £1000.00, plus vat!! Another supplier's castings today are only about £700. I haven't started on TQ Manor, but the castings are never going to lose me money, haha.

I think you need to decide on two or three possibilities, and if/when you see something advertised, go for it. Get the catalogues first, and add up the bits and pieces, so you have some idea whether or not you may be getting a bargain. Put said bargain under your bed, until you find time to do something about the loco. If you lose interest, you can sell on again, probably at a profit.

And, Andy, you can always place a wanted ad on the Homeworkshops page. I've actually seen 2 or 3 Pansy chassis' on there in the past ( including on Chris Heapey's original site).

Now, I have to get that tender soldered up.

Cheers from a wet, blustery Cornwall.

Geoff

[the_viffer]

Andrew I've a set of No 1 Railmotor castings complete or almost so with frames for engine and tender part cut that I keep stubbing my toe on. Prob got a set of drawings and construction articles somewhere too. I bought them as they were complete with a boiler which I needed to turn my No 2 Railmotor to turn into an LSWR S14. That has now moved on to someone to whom I owed a favour but most of the castings are hanging around my study pending arrival of my shiny new workshop (in 10 days) which will allow me to vary where I stub my toe.

If you are fancy making me an offer...

[greasemonkey]

Hi Andrew
Try Blackgates for Castings. A set of Pansy Wheels in the latest catalouge are £75 plus the dreaded VAT, somewhat cheaper than Reeves.

Andy

[gwrfan]

Andy,

Take a look at the Homeworkshop site. There's a part built Simplex (5 inch gauge) for sale at £425. That's the sort of example of a bargain you find from time to time.

Go on, give the guy a ring, LOL!

Geoff

[andrewtoplis]

Thanks everyone for replying, sorry its taken me so long!

I will have a think now, and keep my eyes open on ebay etc for any bargains that may appear - I'm not in any hurry!

Spurly - Hooligan Brian eh? Hee Hee. I well remember how cruel Bluebell nicknames and jokes are...did you ever hear of Soapy and the missing regulator? ;D I heard Dad's nickname once and I wont repeat it!

Andy

[gwrfan]

Hi Andy,

I seem to remember you saying that you'd like to perhaps build a Terrier Tank (Boxhill). So look here, and under 8th Nov, there's a part built one for sale:

www.homeworkshop.org.uk/

I would have emailed you, but you have hidden yours, LOL.

Best of luck.

Regards from Cornwall.

Geoff

[Alan]

Be Careful about buying someone elses box of problems.
I have hade to sort out a lot of engines where the drawings have not been fully followed, or tolerances on fits have been wrong, or, or or,.The list is long and expensive.

3 1/2" isnt popular these days. I always suggest a smallish 5" for a beginner. I prefer 2 1/2" because it has an excellent club backup with reasonable cost of castings and other bits. and the loco fits on the mantlepiece during the week

[the_viffer]

alan said:

Be Careful about buying someone elses box of problems.

<tongue in cheek>

Shouldn't this have been posted on the Winson section?

</tongue in cheek>

[Phil Sutton]

Oooh,Kitty,Kitty!Put your claws away!!

LOL Phil

[gwrfan]

One more remark like that, Phil, and you'll fall into the 'Seasoned member' class, hahaha!