A few years ago (more than a few, now) I built a 2-2-0 for 1/4" scale called 'Dickens'. The drawings and construction article appeared in Live Steam magazine in Feb-Mar-Apr 1975. I can make copies of that article available for you - off line request, please, this is copywrited material. I have a couple of photos of my model around somewhere that I can scan in and send to you if you are interested. The drawings in the article show the wheel profile set up for tinplate track but I changed that, turning the wheels to a profile suitable for use on 2 rail scale track. "Dickens" is a freelance design that resembles British practice. It makes a pretty good introduction to scratchbuilding a steam locomotive, including turning wheels, silver soldering boilers, and like that. If you are already experienced in that art, this one is probably 'way too simple. Its alcohol fired and uses single acting oscillating cylinders.
Little Engines advertises castings, drawings and construction articles at http://www.littleengines.com/Quarter%20Inch%20Scale%20Locomotives.htm. They advertise a 4-6-4 and a 4-8-4 in 1/4" scale. I bought a set of castings and some other parts from them in 1995 when I finished 'Dickens'. I made the main frame pieces at that time but haven't gone any further - too many boat building projects have gotten in the way. Check out the image at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Otrains/files/CS-01/ to see what the 4-6-4 looks like. You will have to be a member of the OTrains group at Yahoo.com to see the image. Membership is free, just register and sign up for the group. As designed, the boiler is a full locomotive fire tube type, set up for alcohol firing. I've been toying (for 6-7 years now) with the idea of putting together a Smithies type (water tube) boiler for this one, but not yet. No hurry, I need to have something to do in retirement some 3 years, 2 months, 29 days, I've lost count of the hours, from now.
You might also check out www.glrmodelsupplies.com, a British outfit that advertises castings, materials and drawings for several 1/4" scale locomotives designed by LBSC. They offer 6 locomoties in 1/4" scale, most are British prototype, but one is an American style 4-6-4 designed for Walschaerts valve gear and coal firing. Some of the others are designed for coal firing, some for alcohol, some for butane. Valve gears are Walschaerts or slip eccentric, depending on the model. Years ago I bought a book from either Coles or Sulphur Springs, I don't remember which, about how to build the "Bat" 4-4-0 that is among those shown on the GLR web site. Looks like an interesting project. Its British prototype, but might not be too hard to redesign the model to more closely resemble American practice.
Casey Sterbenz O Scale Kings #8
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Question about O gauge engines Date: Sat, 01 Nov 2003 16:53:58 -0500
Hi:
I have built a couple of 3.5 gauge engines and would like to build an O gauge engine just for my own amazement and amusment. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have a lathe and milling machine so I would intend to turn my own wheels, cylinders etc and can build up and silver solder my own boiler. Would like something a bit more locomotive looking than that engine made from the Midwest engine and boiler if possible.
TIA
John Meacham
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