Re: Sad News
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
O.T. - Barrels and platforms on trestles, and covered bridges
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. gasp! 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: O.T. - Barrels and platforms on trestles, and covered bridges
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
Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks
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 .020dia. 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: Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks
Hi Kevin: Yes, I'd like to see what you've done. Any drawings or sketches available? Jim [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks
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: Ruby Draincocks
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: O.T. - Barrels and platforms on trestles, and covered bridges
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: covered ( other) bridges
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
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: Gauge One steam cylinder drain cocks
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 .020dia. 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/
