[JohnP]

Hi, My name is John Piper and I am a new member, so "Hello" everybody.
I am about to start building a fully working model of a steam locomotive, possibly a 'Britania Class', and would like some advise please.
I have bought some locomotive and tender wheels which will determine the scale of the model, but a I am usure of what this scale would be. The diameter of the driving wheels is 120mm ( 4 inches ) and I think that a 'Three and a half inch' scale would be the correct size. However, I am also unsure what this means. Is it the width of the track or what ?
Apart from the wheels, everthing else will be scratch built. I also will build a full set of carriages and intend to run this set ( and any others that I will have time to build ) in a garden layout.
'Whoopy Do', you might say, ' And where will you get the time'?
Well, I am now retired from the everyday grind, I moved to France last year, and I intend to start on my affore mentioned lifelong ambition forthwith. I suspect, like many others reading this that I am not the only one that has started many such projects, and failed to complete them for various reasons, so am exited at the prospect of completing at least the construction of the engine.
At my age, ( the Oh comes just after the Six ) I can remember the final years of the 'Steam Age' regarding railways, and spent many a happy Saturday as a child at Scarborough Central Station watching the tourist excursion trains coming and going,from West Yorkshire towns, being hauled , in that particular era, by steam locomotives that would normally have hauled trains on more prostigious routes, most of which were in 'Weathered ' condition. Happy days, which I hope I can re create in part at least with my proposed venture. JP.

 

[JohnP]

Hi John Webb,
Thanks for your reply. Firstly, the diameter of the driving wheels is 120mm, and it was my misprint regarding the 4inch bit ( it should have been 4 5/8 inches ). I take on board your advice regarding working drawings, however, I plan to compile my own drawings using data on the locomotive that I already have. Regarding the actual construction, I am fortunate to have the machinery and the skills, due to my (former) job as an engineer . It was really the scale part that I was unsure of, but you have now kindly resolved that for me. Perhaps you could assist me further by advising me as to where I can obtain the track for this particular guage.
Kind regards,JP

 

[JohnP]

Hi John, Thanks for the advise regarding the track. As it happens, this type of inovation, using propriety items and materials, is exactly what I do in making my models. Some of the pleasure and satisfaction I derive from modelmaking is that I use many standard items that were designed for something else and utilise them for the particular model that I happen to be building. For instance, there is a small stainless steel doorstop that I have adapted to make a steam valve for my 'Britannia' class Loco'. This fits perfectly into a standard piece of brass tube, which is in turn encased in a standard piece of metal tube for added strength, and works like a dream. Both items have been precision built by others, so it saves me the trouble. Sounds odd possibly to the normal railway modeller, but I was never one for convention. Another break from convention regards the matter that you mentioned, that the 3 1/2 inch guage enters the realm of the 'Ride on' type of garden railway. My intention is to create a sytem that is totally remote controlled from the driving of the engine, to the workings of the signals, level crossings etc. A bit ambitious you might say, well, it will give me something to do in my dotage and keep me off the street corners.
Kind regards, JP

 

[JohnP]

I am toying with the idea of some sort of 'Drip feed' oil sytem, or a worm conveyor similar to those used on American steam locomotives to feed the furnace. These will be worked by the movement of the locomotive and will not need remote controls. I will decide what will fit the best once the main body of the locomotive is constructed. My intention regarding the remote controls themselves is to make the actions multi functional ie. combining throttle lever and brake on a slotted rod system so that when the brake is released, then the throttle is engaged, and visa versa for stopping. The only other remote control that I should need is for the reversing lever. Should be interesting.
Kind regards JP