The effort continues

Last Friday omscaler was working on the three locomotives project. The last parts worked on were the Stephenson valve chests. As work was being done, the part for the body delaminated. Omscaler decided to continue with another part. This part too delaminated. At this point, omscaler decided to call it a day. This gave time to reflect on the problem and think about a solution. In thinking back, this problem may have happened before. Anyway, we have a working plan and should be making good progress at the time of this post. Getting the work done, omscaler

 

Taking more steps

Since we now have all wheels attached to all frames, we can begin to make components that are smaller in size. As of this post all drive and side rods are installed. Omscaler is looking at steam cylinders and main pistons and cross heads and cross head guides and steam cylinder valve chests and cross head yokes. Oh my! Then after these are done we need the top of boiler appliances. You know, bells and whistles and such. When will it all be complete? Omscaler is not sure indeed. But we continue this worthwhile project. Still being worthwhile, omscaler

 

Wheels of time?

Last week saw the mounting of wheels on the locomotive frames. Got ‘er done. Put ‘er in storage. All good. Began planning the next steps of putting frames on center beams. Did not actually get to that part. However, a funny thing happened at the local model railroad club. While visiting on Saturday, one of the members asked me about my latest project. I explained to him that I had put wheels on the American and Consolidation frames. As I was speaking, I recalled that the wheels even though closely mounted on the real locomotive seemed too close on my project. I had noticed this but had continued putting them on. I began staring across the room while talking to the fellow. It began to dawn on me. The wheels were too large! I quickly made a mental note about this and finished the remarks to the man. Later that evening, I got out the frames in question and measured. They were in fact too large. Omscaler tried to take the wheels off the existing frames to reuse the frames. This resulted in cut and damaged frames. I got out the needed tools and made sixteen wheels in the correct size as well as four new frames. Four new pilot wheels were also made. The installation of all wheels was completed mid-Sunday morning. Omscaler is not sure why the mistake was made. Mislabeling of wheel size guide? Personal mistake? Rechecking is needed. A little behind, but moving along, omscaler

 

Squeaking toward the finish line

As of this post, three boilers are done. One set of wheels and main frames are done for the 4-4-0. These need to be joined. We still need boiler jacket covers as well as boiler appliances. That is bells, domes, Etc. Omscaler will not prognosticate on the actual completion time. He has learned his lesson. If this week is less distractive than last week, we should get a lot done. At least we will try. Arduously, omscaler

 

Locomotive update

As of last post, omscaler had completed the three tenders. As of this post, The main frames are cut and ready to be installed on the center beams. We had hoped to be further along. Other pressing needs took precedence. Hopefully by weeks end more work will be completed. Optimistically, omscaler

 

Tender feelings?

Tender feelings? Really? As this post is written, the “painstaking” tenders are indeed complete. The first pain experienced was that the front steps turned out too big. (Are we baking cookies?) The final size was about three to four times the size needed. I am not kidding. Note to self: Install a single set and “evaluate”! Therefore, it was back to the planning stage. Fortunately, and idea came up. First, we used 24# paper cut to size. This was glued to another piece of 24# cut to a ready to form dimension. Then step sides were cut. Then they were folded. The bottom step was cut to length and then folded. Then the sides and bottom step were glued into place. The stock for the second step was cut to size and glued into place. Then the assembly was cut to final size. Then the steps were glued to the lower front deck of the tender. If too much glue was used or the steps warped badly, then you start over. Breaks should be taken often. Maybe even continue the next day. Finally, all six were done. The next phase will be the locomotives. Probably be even more fun. We shall see, omscaler

 

Step by step

 As this post is being written, omscaler is taking the painstaking steps to make more realistic steps. Pain is indeed almost in the mix. The rear steps are different from the front steps being much more simple in design. These are already complete. The front tender steps were more elaborate often having scalloped sides. Hence the “painstaking” part. However, we do have a working plan and are beginning to make progress. Also note that the applied front steps will be a compromise. This is to ensure that omscaler does not endure too much mental “painstaking”. But, as usual, we will get ‘er done. Stepping along, omscaler