G scale locomotive.

[Tim A.]

I have done the master/mold/cast on several occasions. In the past if I had good rubber I would make just the one good master and then do several castings so as to have good casts for what I needed. I did this with the 32" Millennium Falcon that I was building to add multiple small details that were all the same, and did so with some tiny details that were on the 5 inch guns on the 1/200 Arizona I was working on. Be aware though that there can be some shrinkage of the resin as it sets up.

I'm looking into the casting thing

 

[Tim A.]

Most impressive!!! Gary S.

Thanks Gary !

 

[Tim A.]

Making the valve gear. It's a generic design, like those that could be seen on the turn of the 20th century steam locomotives.
Mine is roughed in right now. Making sure everything is straight and

has clearance from moving parts.
The valve rod was controlled by the engineer from the cab for throttle and direction.

 

[moon puppy]

Man y'all got to get down to Kennesaw to that train museum. You can see the casting molds for the parts you're making.

 

[Tim A.]

Man y'all got to get down to Kennesaw to that train museum. You can see the casting molds for the parts you're making.

I know we do. The Great locomotive Chase ended around Ringgold, Ga. The spot is just a few miles from us.

 

[Tim A.]

Got the valve rod assembly basically done. Now for some detailing. The whole thing needs to be removable to get to the motor if need be. It looks the part enough to me.

 

[moon puppy]

Marvelous construction Tim! Where are you getting the pattern from?

 

[Tim A.]

Marvelous construction Tim! Where are you getting the pattern from?

Thanks Bob. There were so many different designs used. I based mine on photos (from what you can see in them) of a smaller, earlier type. Again, they were all different. Mine was pretty much made up, governed by what would work on this model. All I'm after is...does it look like it would work...haha.

 

[Brokeneagle]

very impressive scratch building Tim! Inspiring skills.

 

[Tim A.]

Thanks Ian!

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Very creative Tim. It always seems to work better when it doesn't have to match up with something in 1/1 scale. If it looks real and workable, that is all that is needed.

 

[Tim A.]

Got the brake cylinders made and "hooked" up.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Holy crap Tim! You ditched a bunch of the original and doing a "Now for something completely different" piece.

 

[moon puppy]

When I was reading up on the General it went through several overhauls, even converting from wood burner to coal and getting a new stack. I think they did this to most locos back then. You had the fresh out of the shop version and then the modified based on needs and repairs version in the real world.

 

[Tim A.]

Holy crap Tim! You ditched a bunch of the original and doing a "Now for something completely different" piece.

Yeah. Shorted frame, shortened cab, shortened tender. Changed overall look and size to represent 3ft narrow gauge.
It's gotten out of hand really...haha.
I have passenger and mail/baggage cars for this engine to pull to do as well.

 

[Tim A.]

When I was reading up on the General it went through several overhauls, even converting from wood burner to coal and getting a new stack. I think they did this to most locos back then. You had the fresh out of the shop version and then the modified based on needs and repairs version in the real world.

Yep. Upgrades and such were common.
Since the confederate states didn't have access to manufactured goods they had to be creative!

 

[Rhino]

Outstanding work, so far!

 

[Tim A.]

Outstanding work, so far!

Thanks Rhino!

 

[Tim A.]

Got the grab rails on. Working on adding the various piping to the boiler. Starting with the sanding pipes. It's bend check, bend check. They must be able to clear everything to lift off with the boiler.

 

[moon puppy]

Those pipes coming down the side of the boiler, are they for the sand? Lot of folks don't know that locomotives used sand on the rails for traction getting started sometimes.