>Dale,
>
>While the suggestion to make a 2-ft gauge engine from Charlie's
>plans has merit, it may be more than you want to undertake as
>your first project.
>
>I have two suggestions: first, you might try building a kit (e.g.
>Roundhouse, Argyle, etc.) to see how it all goes together to make
>a working steam locomotive, albeit not necessarily a finescale
>model. When you come down for a visit, I'll show you the US type
>Consolidation I built from a Roundhouse Lady Anne kit.
>
>The second suggestion is to have a look at the plans by Martin
>Lewis for the 0-scale Pacific available from the Loco Works. I have
>a copy of the 1/2" scale version of the book, which I'll be glad to
>share with you. This is a considerably more complex engine, but
>merely reading the construction procedures will give you a good
>idea of what it will take to get to your finescale working steam
>engine. It can certainly be done.
>
>By the way, those CO2 engines from the 1940s weren't "jet locos",
>but "cold steam" engines -- they actually used the sublimated gas
>to drive the cylinders, as in a normal steam engine. I've got a copy
>of an article from Model Railroader in 1949. Too bad the idea never
>caught on....
>
>regards,
> -vance-
Hi Vance: I'm not too worried about the actual machining, in all the
years I worked I somehow always had access to use a good lathe and mill.
The Smithy I have now while not the best by a long shot, I think will do
the job. I do have various plans for simple steam engines that I could
build first just to get some feel for steam operation. I certainly would
like to see the Roundhouse kit you've modified to a Consolidation.
I spent considerable time on your web site, in fact copied everything to my
"steam" notebook. I also bought Martin Evans book and am working my way
through it. My problem is the English terminology, "hornblock?". I would
like to see his Pacific plan. I also have an O scale 4-6-0 plan and book
by Norman Dewhirst, also British but reasonably detailed.
Also bought two simple O loco plans, the "Bat" & "Owl". I got all this from
Sulphur Springs, seems like a good outfit.
Again, I've yet to see real small scale live steam so look forward to
seeing yours. Unfortunately we will have out of town guests from this
coming weekend through the 10th, (for balloons and trout fishing) maybe
after that we could get together.
That CO2 power is an interesting thought, I'll look up the article. I guess
one might use a container of "dry ice". Thinking of old MR, what would you
think of converting one of the Mel Thornburgh locomotives to live steam?
Dale
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