Springing on Don Young "Tom Rolt"

[heyfordian18]

moving on from my introduction to 5" steam with the Modelworks 14xx, I have started to construct Don Young's design for the Talyllyn loco Tom Rolt. I am struggling with lack of detail on the drawings for the main leaf springs. Anyone out there built or running a Tom Rolt or know someone who has please?
The drawings show only a part of the top leaf, from 1/2" x 0.036" material. There is no mention of how many leaves are required, although the spring buckles have a 9/16" slot which would hold 15 leaves. That seems a lot. The GA drawing shows 9 leaves, which would only fill slightly more than half the slot. All words of wisdom will be appreciated.

[grumpyoldman]

I've just inherited a part built Tom Rolt, the existing springs are way too stiff. Anyone know what the finished article weighs, even better how it is distributed between the 3 axles. Anyone got a set of drawings spare which I could buy or even scan

[grumpyoldman]

Hmm, did some googling on the real thing and I think something is amiss. It looks as tho the frame is wrong, I think the real thing has a cradle frame at the back to let the firebox drop in between the sideplates. This doesn’t. The firebox outer is far too wide, even the inside dimension of the box id wider than the gap twixt the side plates. Anyone confirm?

[mbrown]

I have a full set of drawings for DY's Tom Rolt which I am not going to use, so maybe send me a PM with an offer?

I'm also a driver on the Talyllyn and well acquainted with the prototype. Don did simplify the cradle at the rear but it basically follows the original arrangement. He made other changes like the height of the draw gear (to be compatible with 5"g standard gauge I think) and added a skirt under the tanks because he thought it looked better.

I do have the few construction articles he wrote about it and can photocopy them if you'd like them.

And if I can answer any questions about the prototype, let me know.

Best wishes

Malcolm

[grumpyoldman]

From another forum I've now been convinced that this is an Edward Thomas, which explains all the inconsistencies. My son-in law is also a driver on the TR, small world isn't it.