Re: Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks

2001-07-05 Thread M. Paterson

Kevin, since I started the question the answer is most
definitely.  email address is [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Thank you in advance.
Mike

--- Kevin O'Connor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> The stock Aster Big Boy locomotive does not have
> cylinder drain cocks.
> The model that Pthornto spoke of in his message is
> owned by Bill Crane who
> bought it from Lindsay Crow in Australia.  Lindsay
> has installed cylinder
> drain cocks on several locomotives.  One such
> Lindsay installation may be
> seen on page 71 of Aster's 1975 (green, fifth
> edition) catalog on a European
> locomotive.  A sketch is included in the
> presentation.
> I have installed my own version of cylinder
> drain cocks on several
> locomotives including a Frank S., Ruby, Bantam (tiny
> cylinders), B-1 Baldwin
> and others that I have forgotten about.  At first I
> used the "shuttle cock"
> principal wherein a rod with a radial groove
> shuttled back and forth opening
> and closing a .020" dia hole open to the interior of
> the steam cylinder.  It
> worked fine, but I wanted something better.  Now I
> build up "automatic"
> drain cocks.  They look very similar, but the rod
> that used to shuttle no
> longer moves.  It stays still and provides a
> controlled "leak" that allows
> condensate to drain out, but not steam under load.
> I am building up an Aster "Titfield Thunderbolt"
> for Diamondhead 2002
> and it will also feature cylinder drain cocks, but
> of a third, very
> different design.  Because of the lack of ground
> clearance under the
> cylinder the two automatic type drain cocks will be
> located inside the
> cylinder block; out of sight except for the
> aforementioned .020"dia. drain
> hole.  I may also install an automatic drain in the
> bottom of the steam
> valve box (it is rotated 90 degrees) to prevent
> condensate buildup.
> If any one would like to have a jpeg or two of
> these installations,
> please send an e-mail enquiry and I will return it
> with attachments.
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Kevin
>  


__
Do You Yahoo!?
Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ 



Re: O.T. - Barrels and platforms on trestles, and covered bridges

2001-07-05 Thread Trent Dowler

Hello Everyone,

  Thanks for all the information.
  Those were just a few things that I had wondered about for some now and
decided that if the people on this list didn't know, nobody would.
  What a great source of information you guys and gals are!

Later,
Trent

P.S. - Speaking of gals, has anyone heard from Susan Parker recently? I'd be
interested in hearing how she is fairing with her project(s).
 



Re: covered (& other) bridges

2001-07-05 Thread Tim Lockley

"I've also seen trestles modeled with the flat platforms at track level, but
without the barrels. What were these used for?"

Refuges, perhaps? Permanent-way men inspecting the line and caught by an
approaching train would need somewhere to stand clear of the line to let it
go by. Similarly recesses in the parapet wall were provided on brick/stone
viaducts, and in the linings of tunnels.

"Why build a covered bridge that was for railroad use?"

Girder construction is strong. In the early days of structural Iron working
one technique was to build a hollow box-girder and run the trains inside.
There is a surviving example just outside Llandudno, Wales.
A different, and rather bizzare example featured on UK tv recently.
A team of archaeologist uncovered what looked like a railway tunnel but was
actually (get this) a high viaduct. Built for a horse worked tramway serving
a mine, the gully it crossed was used as a spoil tip, and was eventually
filled in. When spoil reached the height of the rails the viaduct was given
a full length brick arch roof and eventually disappeared under another 50'
of dross. I don't think anyone has tried to model it!

"Has anyone ever seen a covered bridge (in the real world) that was used for
both railroad and carriage or automobile?"

The only mixed-use bridges I've ever seen were open or double-deck. If
railway owned & built a tollbooth would often be seen at one end. Newcastle
High Bridge  had an interesting oddity in that pedestrians had to pay a
penny to cross but horse-buses were exempt and only charged a farthing fare,
so the very last horse bus in Britain (till 1926) kept going back & forth
across the bridge because it was cheaper to ride than to walk!

Tim Lockley
Lindsey Railways Joint Administration
16mm assn 2168
GPR5 Lincoln

 



Re: O.T. - Barrels and platforms on trestles, and covered bridges

2001-07-05 Thread Cgnr

Trent,
The barrels were for fire control.  There was nothing worse than fire on a 
trestle and they did happen fairly often.  Otherwise the platforms were also 
an escape route for workers when a train went by.  Covered bridges were just 
a way to protect the large investment in building a bridge from weather.
Bob 



Re: Ruby Draincocks

2001-07-05 Thread Clark Lord

http://home.earthlink.net/~clarklord/_images/rubymod5.jpg

is a color shot I took in preparation for the Ruby review article in
SitG.  

Hope this helps some.

Clark

Chris Wolcott wrote:
> 
> Does anyone have any pictures of any of these type of draincock
> installations?
> 



Re: Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks

2001-07-05 Thread Trent Dowler

Hello Kevin and Everyone,

  If I have made this inquiry before, please pardon my memory.
  In my limited library I cannot find any reference to "automatic" type drain
cocks. Any further information, pictures, or drawing available?

Later,
Trent
 



Re: Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks

2001-07-05 Thread Jim Curry

Hi Kevin:

Yes, I'd like to see what you've done.  Any drawings or sketches available?

Jim 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

 



Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks

2001-07-05 Thread Kevin O'Connor

The stock Aster Big Boy locomotive does not have cylinder drain cocks.
The model that Pthornto spoke of in his message is owned by Bill Crane who
bought it from Lindsay Crow in Australia.  Lindsay has installed cylinder
drain cocks on several locomotives.  One such Lindsay installation may be
seen on page 71 of Aster's 1975 (green, fifth edition) catalog on a European
locomotive.  A sketch is included in the presentation.
I have installed my own version of cylinder drain cocks on several
locomotives including a Frank S., Ruby, Bantam (tiny cylinders), B-1 Baldwin
and others that I have forgotten about.  At first I used the "shuttle cock"
principal wherein a rod with a radial groove shuttled back and forth opening
and closing a .020" dia hole open to the interior of the steam cylinder.  It
worked fine, but I wanted something better.  Now I build up "automatic"
drain cocks.  They look very similar, but the rod that used to shuttle no
longer moves.  It stays still and provides a controlled "leak" that allows
condensate to drain out, but not steam under load.
I am building up an Aster "Titfield Thunderbolt" for Diamondhead 2002
and it will also feature cylinder drain cocks, but of a third, very
different design.  Because of the lack of ground clearance under the
cylinder the two automatic type drain cocks will be located inside the
cylinder block; out of sight except for the aforementioned .020"dia. drain
hole.  I may also install an automatic drain in the bottom of the steam
valve box (it is rotated 90 degrees) to prevent condensate buildup.
If any one would like to have a jpeg or two of these installations,
please send an e-mail enquiry and I will return it with attachments.

Best regards,

Kevin
 



Re: O.T. - Barrels and platforms on trestles, and covered bridges

2001-07-05 Thread Jim Curry

Trent:

The covering of the bridges was for weather protection.  They had a big
investment in the bridge and a cover was cheap protection.  Just like a
building, keep the siding and roof maintained and the thing will last a long
time.

Barrels:  I always assumed they were for water for putting out cinder
started fires.  Others may know for certain.

Jim
 



O.T. - Barrels and platforms on trestles, and covered bridges

2001-07-05 Thread Trent Dowler

Hello Everyone,

  I have several questions concerning railroading, but they are not
directly related to small scale steam.
  Could someone tell me what the barrels are used for that I often see
modeled, setting on small flat platforms sticking off the side of high
and long trestles? I've had the understanding that curved sections often
had "greasers" in use to eliminate the wearing effect of the flange
rubbing against the side of the rail. It's not always on a curved
trestle that I've seen these, but modeling is not always 100% correct.

  I've also seen trestles modeled with the flat platforms at track
level, but without the barrels. What were these used for?
  The only time that I recall seeing anything similar was on a high
trestle coming through town in Collinsville, Illinois (or maybe it was
East St. Louis?). I've not been exposed to many trestles like the ones
that I've seen modeled with the barrels.
  Why build a covered bridge that was for railroad use? To prevent
weather damage is my only guess. I was told that the covered bridges for
carriage use was to prevent the horses from getting spooked while
crossing the river or creek. I'm not sure I believe that, but if it is
true, could it be that the bridge building technique just carried over
to the railroad bridges?
  Last question. Has anyone ever seen a covered bridge (in the real
world) that was used for both railroad and carriage or automobile? I was
told that there were two in Vermont at some point during history.
  Thanks in advance for the education and help.

Later,
Trent
 



Re: Sad News

2001-07-05 Thread Gary Broeder

Group,

 As I recall Erv was among the first with an all 16 mil gauge 0 steam layout
in the US. His garden line was one of the layouts featured in West Lawn's
(Pete Olson) video on  Garden  Railways that was produced in the 1980s.

Gary Broeder