Recommendation for first traction engine?

[Nigel Bennett]

Whatever you go for, you have to fall in love with it and really want to build it. It has to possess something for you that the others haven't got, otherwise you'll get fed up with it and wish you'd built the other one. Do not be in too much of a rush to make a decision - unless you're already smitten with one!
I think that's pretty true of any major project, be it locomotive, machine tool or whatever.

[klendo]

Although I appreciate there are not many designs, something like a 3" scale aveling roller would be an interesting and fairly simple engine to make.
Not forgetting there is no Dif, No winding drum, no strakes for the wheels.

Only addition which you may choose not to have is the scarifier.

Or if you do go for a traction engine then making something of an earlier prototype does infact have quite a number of benefits, such as an angle iron frame tender and not flanged, no spring gear, 2 speed, less splines on the crankshaft ( Burrel typically used 4 on early engines, then used 8 laterly )

In my opinion although I dont believe any drawings exist but you wont get much simpler than either a 3" Mclaren

[shedman]

Feb 12, 2009 8:52:35 GMT poppysmurf said:

I have built a 1" minnie and found this far to tricky due to its size, too fiddley. I am now building a 1.5" Allchin which is a lot easier to handle and actually a decent engine to get stuck into. There are pro's and con's for each engine but If I had the choice again I would pick either a 1.5" or 2" to start with.

I have to agree that the 1" scale "Minnie" is not an easy engine to build due to the small size of the components and the degree of fiddling involved. I lost heart in mine after many years of work and put it on the shelf about ten years ago. Perhaps I will finish it one day when I have more experience.

[spity3601]

Just out of interest who does the 2" minnie company wise

[jasonb]

Blackgates sell castings for the Minnie in 2". And I think Dave Bickerton may still do some for a road loco version.

www.blackgates.co.uk/

There are a couple of 2" Minnies being built by members of Traction Talk forum, a look through the model engine section will turn up quite a few threads. Worth reading as quite a few bits look oversize if you just double up teh 1" drawings

www.tractiontalkforum.com/index.php

Jason

[marcusjparkes]

Hi I'm quite new to this , so please bear with me , I have been building for the past 10 years 3/12 Jubilee 2;6;4 , have moved to Isreal , where i live now , unfortunatly we don't have a model club ,suppliers or anything of that nature , , so my beloved jubilee was boxed fro a rainy day . to my luck a friend of mine rang me up [knowing that I mess around with train and steam } and told me that he had received from a friend of his a box full of castings /drawings and stuff , having looked at them , I swopped my jubilee for a minnie 1 inch also some money . there are from what can see a few bits missing chimney saddle casting most Important I would like to buy the build book If anyone can help me with a company that deals with all castings metals and parts that I may need to build it , that can send to Isreal , I would really appreceiate it thanks , looking forward to your replies ! MJParkes