RE: Re: Osmotor

[Gary Broeder]

 It always seemed to me to be a good idea,
>but since they never 'took off', I'd assumed there were problems with the
>performance or production.
>Peter Foley

Peter and others,

I have a 1:32 scale 0-6-0 that was produced by Steamlines (Tom Cooper)  with an 
Osmotor. This little loco is 
really a good runner and came with RC. It was called the Austerity or Hunslet Saddle 
Tank. It is a very free 
steaming loco and with it's cast iron drivers gets good traction. It tips the scales 
at 5.5 Lbs. The Osmotor is 
between the frames and gear drives the front axle.GaryB 

Re: Osmotor

[Carl H. Malone, O.D.]

Peter Foley wrote:
> 
> Hi guys,
> 
> I saw the posts about the Cricket being built with oscillating cylinders -
> it just doesn't sound right.  Checking some back issues of SITG, it's noted
> as having fixed cylinders/spherical pistons - can someone confirm an
> earlier version built as oscillator?  Not terribly important, I know, but
> curiosity
> 
> rta,
> 
> pf

Peter,

Here's some info on Crickets from the SitG Online website (thanks
RichF!) . The type E Cricket appears to be a wobbler.
http://www.steamup.com/sitgonline/roundhouse/berkeley/berkeley.html

Steam is good!!!

Carl Malone
Algerita Botanical Railway 

Re: Osmotor

[James S. Burns, Jr.]

Peter, see review in Steam in the Garden, by Scott E. McDonald re
Cricket:"(oscillating cylinder version also available)". Sept/Oct 1994.

Peter Foley wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> I saw the posts about the Cricket being built with oscillating cylinders -
> it just doesn't sound right.  Checking some back issues of SITG, it's noted
> as having fixed cylinders/spherical pistons - can someone confirm an
> earlier version built as oscillator?  Not terribly important, I know, but
> curiosity
>
> rta,
>
> pf
 

Re: Osmotor

[PATRICK L DARBY]

On 2/29/00 Peter wrote:

>I saw the posts about the Cricket being built with oscillating cylinders -
>it just doesn't sound right.  Checking some back issues of SITG, it's noted
>as having fixed cylinders/spherical pistons - can someone confirm an
>earlier version built as oscillator?  Not terribly important, I know, but
>curiosity
>
Peter,
 Look at SITG #31, Nov/Dec 1995 page 48.  The Cricket (Type E) with
oscillating cylinder.  Also in SITG #24, Sept/Oct 1994 page 18 review by
Scott McDonald mentions "oscillating cylinder version also available".
 Don't know if they actually delivered any, but they were advertised.

Pat Darby

 

Re: Osmotor

[Peter Foley]

Hi guys,

I saw the posts about the Cricket being built with oscillating cylinders -
it just doesn't sound right.  Checking some back issues of SITG, it's noted
as having fixed cylinders/spherical pistons - can someone confirm an
earlier version built as oscillator?  Not terribly important, I know, but
curiosity

rta,

pf 

Re: New list member.

[Doug]

I received my Ruby yesterday, can't wait to fire her up this weekend. 
Looks very well built.
Anyone have tips on what to look for, or changes that need to be made?
This is my first live steamer.  I'm in Eastern PA.
Doug

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> Currently I'm looking the way of the Ruby.  I don't car for the
> inside-to-outside valve gear on the Sammie.  I like somewhat complicated
> things.  ;)  I feel it gives the loco a more realistic look as well.
> 
> On Tue, 29 Feb 2000 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> > In a message dated 00-02-29 20:03:38 EST, you write:
> >   You might want to take a look at the Ruby it seems to be a pretty good
> > starter.  There is also the Roundhouse Sammy but it costs two times as much.
> > I started with a Cricket(no longer being made) and have ordered a Ruby to be
> > delivered asap.  Of course if you have real deep pockets you can get an Aster
> > Catalog and order one of each. :-)  Seriously I would recommend buying an
> > Aster Catalog for all the great information that the back section has on
> > steam locomotives.
> >
> > Welcome to the hobby from another newcomer
> > Lloyd
> 
> Trot, the fox whith half and eye for detail... (and 1.5 eyes for cost)
> 
>  TrotFox  \ Always remember,   /\-/\
> AKA Landon Solomon \ "There is a  ( o o )
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] \ third alternative."  >\./<
> 

Re: New list member.

[trotfox]

Currently I'm looking the way of the Ruby.  I don't car for the
inside-to-outside valve gear on the Sammie.  I like somewhat complicated
things.  ;)  I feel it gives the loco a more realistic look as well.

On Tue, 29 Feb 2000 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

> In a message dated 00-02-29 20:03:38 EST, you write:
>   You might want to take a look at the Ruby it seems to be a pretty good 
> starter.  There is also the Roundhouse Sammy but it costs two times as much.  
> I started with a Cricket(no longer being made) and have ordered a Ruby to be 
> delivered asap.  Of course if you have real deep pockets you can get an Aster 
> Catalog and order one of each. :-)  Seriously I would recommend buying an 
> Aster Catalog for all the great information that the back section has on 
> steam locomotives.  
> 
> Welcome to the hobby from another newcomer
> Lloyd

Trot, the fox whith half and eye for detail... (and 1.5 eyes for cost)


 TrotFox  \ Always remember,   /\-/\
AKA Landon Solomon \ "There is a  ( o o )
[EMAIL PROTECTED] \ third alternative."  >\./<
 

Re: Osmotor

[SaltyChief]

In a message dated 00-02-29 20:30:18 EST, you write:

<< PAT DARBY >>
   I didn't know that some of the Crickets had oscilating cylinders.  Thanks 
for the info.  Interesting.

lloyd 

Re: New list member.

[SaltyChief]

In a message dated 00-02-29 20:03:38 EST, you write:

<< Sorry, now that that's out of the way I'll have to say that I'm _new_ to
 the hobby, migrating in from electric HO practice.  Currently I'm
 considering which loco to make my first steamer. >>
  You might want to take a look at the Ruby it seems to be a pretty good 
starter.  There is also the Roundhouse Sammy but it costs two times as much.  
I started with a Cricket(no longer being made) and have ordered a Ruby to be 
delivered asap.  Of course if you have real deep pockets you can get an Aster 
Catalog and order one of each. :-)  Seriously I would recommend buying an 
Aster Catalog for all the great information that the back section has on 
steam locomotives.  

Welcome to the hobby from another newcomer
Lloyd
 

Re: Potomac Industries

[PATRICK DARBY]

Lloyd wrote:
> To get the BAGRS complete Kit from Potomac, How do I contact them?  My
> E-mail came back undeliverable.Is this really a good beginners
project?

Lloyd,
 IMHO it is a really fun project. I am in the final stages of building
the BAGRS loco.  It is my first try at build-it-yourself live steam other
than Aster kits.  I am incorporating most of the modifications written up in
SITG by John Thomson, Texas.  The Midwest boiler must be silver soldered
together which is the hardest part of the whole project, but a good chance
to hone your silver soldering skills.  So far I've run it on blocks and it
steams for 15-20 minutes with the alcohol burner mods.
Contact me off list for more info.  I had no problems calling Potomac
Industries and faxing my order although I purchased the boiler locally.
PATRICK DARBY
TIMBER & TALLOW BRANCH RR
COVINGTON, LA
 

Re: Osmotor

[PATRICK DARBY]

On 2/29/00  Lloyd wrote:
>I have a Cricket and it has a fixed cylinder and valves.??

Lloyd,
 I never owned a Cricket, but I believe they were made in two versions,
one with a fixed single acting cylinder and one with the oscillating
cylinder. The picture I saw of one used the oscillating cylinder.  You must
have the fixed cylinder version.  I should not have used the Cricket as it
was a misleading example of oscillating cylinders.
 Mike Chaney and Larry Lindsay (Shay) also made engines with oscillating
cylinders
PAT DARBY
TIMBER & TALLOW BRANCH RR
COVINGTON, LA
 

New list member.

[trotfox]

So like, I'm here, and you're there, and stuff...

Sorry, now that that's out of the way I'll have to say that I'm _new_ to
the hobby, migrating in from electric HO practice.  Currently I'm
considering which loco to make my first steamer.  I don't have any
trackage layed out yet, but plan to run a temp. mainline around the back
yard of the home I'm renting.

Currently working to build a 'live deisel' locomotive as a starting point
(and to keep my mind busy 'till I get a steamer) but steam is my life-long
love (not that it's been a long life, mind you.)

My name is Landon Solomon, I'm currently in north Dallas, TX,
having been born a raised in East Tennessee.  I've scratch built two
horizontal compressed air engines (the current one just needs a few things
to make it steamable) and one out of LEGOs... just to show it could be
done. 

And that's me.  :)

Trot, the engineering, fox...


 TrotFox  \ Always remember,   /\-/\
AKA Landon Solomon \ "There is a  ( o o )
[EMAIL PROTECTED] \ third alternative."  >\./<

 

Re: Osmotor

[MIKEY]

On Tue, 29 Feb 2000 15:45:25 -0500, you wrote:

>At 10:51 AM 00-02-29 -0600, Pat Darby wrote:
>
>>The osimotor (osmotor) is an oscillating cylinder/piston as used on the
>>Mamod, Berkeley Crickit, Geoffbuilt Shay, BAGRS Project Loco,  and many
>>other small live steam engines.  Cheddar also has them for marine
>>applications.  They have no valve mechanisms but rely of the oscillation of
>>the cylinder to alternate between steam intake and exhaust.  They are simple
>>and cheap to manufacture. I believe osmotor is a copyrighted name for some
>>manufacturer of the engine.
>
>The 'Osmotor' was a self contained two cylinder self starting/double acting
>oscillator that was produced by Tom Cooper (aka Mr.Merlin).  They were
>intender to fit between the frames of a loco with gear drive off the main
>crank shaft to the axle, allowing users to gear it down to get the correct
># of 'chuffs' per wheel revolution.  I have no direct experience with them
>- I heard them described as being very wasteful of steam, but that is
>obviously a second hand opinion.  It always seemed to me to be a good idea,
>but since they never 'took off', I'd assumed there were problems with the
>performance or production.
>
>rta,
>
>
>Peter Foley
>Hamilton, Ontario. 

I have one of these Osmotor beasties. I bought it second hand and gave
up trying to make it work without leaking steam everywhere.

Peter is spot on with his response. Tom Cooper said that he gave up
making them because they were too expensive to make. Rumour has it
that he copied the design from somebody else, but their poor
manufacturing capabilities at Merlin couldn't guarantee the quality.

 He countered criticisms of the engine's leakiness by stating that
they needed lots of running in. I have a copy of his original
advertisement for these engines.

The reason for gearing the Osmotor was to ensure slow running
characteristics.

The correct name for what I think Pat is describing, (Other than
Merlin),  is an OSCILLATOR. I use them when I build steam tram
engines.

Bye

Mikey 

Re: Potomac Industries

[Doug]

I just bought one, it's due in the mail any day now.
Scott McDonald has been my contact at Scott McDonald [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Doug
Peter Foley wrote:
> 
> At 06:03 PM 00-02-29 -0500, SaltyChief wrote:
> 
> >To get the BAGRS complete Kit from Potomac, How do I contact them?  My
> >E-mail came back undeliverable.Is this really a good beginners project?
> 
> You didn't mention what address you used - I have  [EMAIL PROTECTED]  in my
> address book (used it about 2 months ago), but haven't used it lately.
> 
> You don't really say what would make it good, or not, for you.  The kit is
> described on their web page at:
> 
> http://users.erols.com/diesel/project/index.html
> 
> My opinion - an easy build, but not really a model of anything.  It's more
> a caricature, but can be built into a credible kind of tramroad engine (as
> in homebuilt).  I like them - but then I've always been a sucker for little
> vertical boiler lokies.
> 
> rta,
> 
> 
> 
> Peter Foley
> Hamilton, Ontario. 

Re: Potomac Industries

[SALTYCRABB]

In a message dated 02/29/00 5:09:22 PM Central Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

<< Is this really a good beginners project?  >>

Lloyd

This is a great "beginners kit."  I strongly advise making yourself aware of 
the modifications suggested by John Thomson (Dallas area) which were 
published in the previous two SitG.  He was running his engine at our steamup 
Sunday and it ran longer and pulled more than just about anything else 
running.  Some mods are easier done in the initial building stage.  None cost 
more than a couple of bucks -- most about 50 cents.

Jim Crabb
Houston

PS: Sorry you wont be at NSS! 

Re: Whistle

[WAnliker]

there were plans for two whistles on Model engineer 4 June 1982, one looks to 
be a little over two inches long, and the other is shorter.  They are "BELL" 
whistles for steam.
They were for the models, Jupiter, and Mary Ann
Author of the article was Peter Olds, Australia.
Hope this might help,
bill 

Re: Potomac Industries

[David M. Cole]

At 3:28 PM -0800 2/29/00, Peter Foley wrote:
>My opinion - an easy build, but not really a model of anything.  It's more
>a caricature, but can be built into a credible kind of tramroad engine (as
>in homebuilt).  I like them - but then I've always been a sucker for little
>vertical boiler lokies.

Mike Martin, designer thereof, is a list member, as is Jon Bloom, a
satisfied builder. Perhaps they would care to chime in. And Steve ... can't
remember Steve's last name ... now he built a beautiful BAGRS Project Loco
...


---
Dave Cole
General Manager, Westline & Mussel Rock Railroad

Daly City, Calif. USA
List Mom: sslivesteam, the list of small-scale live steamers


 

Re: Potomac Industries

[Peter Foley]

At 06:03 PM 00-02-29 -0500, SaltyChief wrote:

>To get the BAGRS complete Kit from Potomac, How do I contact them?  My 
>E-mail came back undeliverable.Is this really a good beginners project?

You didn't mention what address you used - I have  [EMAIL PROTECTED]  in my
address book (used it about 2 months ago), but haven't used it lately.

You don't really say what would make it good, or not, for you.  The kit is
described on their web page at:

http://users.erols.com/diesel/project/index.html

My opinion - an easy build, but not really a model of anything.  It's more
a caricature, but can be built into a credible kind of tramroad engine (as
in homebuilt).  I like them - but then I've always been a sucker for little
vertical boiler lokies.

rta,



 

Peter Foley
Hamilton, Ontario. 

Potomac Industries

[SaltyChief]

To get the BAGRS complete Kit from Potomac, How do I contact them?  My 
E-mail came back undeliverable.Is this really a good beginners project? 

Re: New roster, apology ...

[Peter Foley]

Hi Dave,

I checked the bio page - Terry Griner's appears under my name.  From the
archives, my bio is at:

http://www.mail-archive.com/sslivesteam@colegroup.com/msg01102.html

Thanks,


Peter Foley
Hamilton, Ontario. 

Re: Osmotor

[Peter Foley]

At 10:51 AM 00-02-29 -0600, Pat Darby wrote:

>The osimotor (osmotor) is an oscillating cylinder/piston as used on the
>Mamod, Berkeley Crickit, Geoffbuilt Shay, BAGRS Project Loco,  and many
>other small live steam engines.  Cheddar also has them for marine
>applications.  They have no valve mechanisms but rely of the oscillation of
>the cylinder to alternate between steam intake and exhaust.  They are simple
>and cheap to manufacture. I believe osmotor is a copyrighted name for some
>manufacturer of the engine.

The 'Osmotor' was a self contained two cylinder self starting/double acting
oscillator that was produced by Tom Cooper (aka Mr.Merlin).  They were
intender to fit between the frames of a loco with gear drive off the main
crank shaft to the axle, allowing users to gear it down to get the correct
# of 'chuffs' per wheel revolution.  I have no direct experience with them
- I heard them described as being very wasteful of steam, but that is
obviously a second hand opinion.  It always seemed to me to be a good idea,
but since they never 'took off', I'd assumed there were problems with the
performance or production.

rta,


Peter Foley
Hamilton, Ontario. 

Re: Osmotor

[SaltyChief]

In a message dated 00-02-29 11:54:01 EST, you write:

<<   The osimotor (osmotor) is an oscillating cylinder/piston as used on the
 Mamod, Berkeley Crickit, >>
   I have a Cricket and it has a fixed cylinder and valves.?? 

Re: Whistle

[Jerry Barnes]

There's been some good articles in Steam in the Garnden on whistles, one in
the latest issue, can't remember the author, but he's thinking about making
some to sell-down the road. Might check it out. He's had several in this
last year or so.

Jerry Barnes
NEbrasaka

 

Re: Whistle

[David M. Cole]

At 8:23 PM -0800 2/28/00, Trent Dowler wrote:
>P.S. - I hope the above info doesn't violate any "non-commercial" rules. I am
>not in any way affiliated with Sulphur Springs.

No problem. You're sharing information about specific products. The essence
of a good list.


---
Dave Cole
General Manager, Westline & Mussel Rock Railroad

Daly City, Calif. USA
List Mom: sslivesteam, the list of small-scale live steamers


 

Re: Osmotor

[PATRICK L DARBY]

Lloyd,
The osimotor (osmotor) is an oscillating cylinder/piston as used on the
Mamod, Berkeley Crickit, Geoffbuilt Shay, BAGRS Project Loco,  and many
other small live steam engines.  Cheddar also has them for marine
applications.  They have no valve mechanisms but rely of the oscillation of
the cylinder to alternate between steam intake and exhaust.  They are simple
and cheap to manufacture. I believe osmotor is a copyrighted name for some
manufacturer of the engine.
Pat Darby
Timber & Tallow Branch RR
Amateur Radio Station K5PAT
Covington, LA
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 10:05 AM
Subject: Re: Victory over Steamlines Shay!


>In a message dated 00-02-29 07:30:35 EST, you write:
>
><< osimotor assembly >>
> Would someone define this "osimotor assembly" please!!
>
>Lloyd
 

Re: Victory over Steamlines Shay!

[SaltyChief]

In a message dated 00-02-29 07:30:35 EST, you write:

<< osimotor assembly >>
 Would someone define this "osimotor assembly" please!!

Lloyd 

Re: Victory over Steamlines Shay!

[Phil. Paskos]

Congratulations!   I hope you get a lot of pleasure out of running your
rebuilt Shay.With all the work you did, you deserve it.

Phil.P. Reading,Pa.



> I am happy to report I finally got the Steamlines Shay to steam up and run
out full
> fuel tanks of IsoButane!
> All I had to do to get it to run well is:
> Lap the valves
> Make a new gasket to seal the throttle to the valve head
> Reroute the blast tube to the outside of the boiler instead of through
the burner
>
> Cut a notch in the smoke box to allow the new blast tube access to the
stack
> Clean out the sludge inside the boiler (1/3 of the boiler was full of
oil sludge)
>
> WIre brush the burner tube to remove carbon deposits
> Resolder the fuel tank
> Splice all five steam lines that the prior "repair person" cut
> Remove the smoke generator
> Replace fibre washers damaged by a cab fire (courtesy of prior "repair
person")
> Remanufacture the original Goodall valve
> Correctly mount the osimotor assembly to the underside of the frame
instead of
> the topside
> Adjust the osimoter by tightening the nuts while the motor was running
under
> steam
> Adjust the gear mesh between the main osimotor gear and the shay drive
line
> Removed the external lubricator (now lubricate the motor prior to each
run, less
> messy)
>
> The result is a shay that is running very well. In the future, I am
recommending the
> owner consider replacing the osimotor with a Graham shay motor. For now,
the
> Steamlines Shay is finally running well. I am elated. I feel like I have
conquered
> the beast! Victory!
>
> Gary Lane
> Eugene, Oregon
>
>
>
>