Model Engineering "Newbie"

[scouse]

Hello Everyone,
First posting here.I'm new to M.E . and would like advice on a very simple first 3.5" loco to build.
I'm buying a second hand Warco lathe from a neighbour of mine whose husband has sadly gone to the great 'workshop in the sky' I understand that the machine has a swing over bed of 180mm therefore presumably that would limit the diameter of the loco's wheels to about 3.25"
Any advice would be very welcome.
Thank you,
scouse

[houstonceng]

Scouse

Welcome aboard.

With a lathe having a "swing" of 180mm (circa 7") you can build a good 5" gauge loco. That'll be a better proposition for pasenger hauling than a 3.5 incher.

Many designs inc, Sweet Pea, Simplex & Super Simplex.

Don't be tempted to build a 3.5" gauge Tich ! Just as much work as one of the above and not powerful enough.

Andy

[John Lee]

Hello you scouser ;-)

For a first effort; try sonething a bit larger that the often recommended "Rob Roy". If you are determined for 3 1/2 inch gauge do a "Maisie"..lots if power and will forgive mistakes. Or alternatively try a small 5". There are the same number of bits and tolerances are more forgiving.

Lots of ideas there, Do a "Douglas" or a "Scamp"; not much bigger really than a 3 1/2 but much more power, speed and fun.

You can do all the above on said Warco lathe given a bit of patience and a few accessories

Good luck, Regards,

John

[Myford Matt]

Pansy is a really nice 5" GWR panier tank loco.

My main criterion for newbies is can you get a book/magazine serialisation on how to construct the loco? An easy loco with no guide is probably much harder (for newbies) than a moderately hard loco, but with a step-by-step guide explaining techniques and pointing out pitalls.

[Myford Matt]

The archive at Station Road Steam is really useful for getting a good idea of how a model may turn out:

www.stationroadsteam.co.uk/archive.htm