Building your own loco

[Anonymous]

Does anyone build their one loco's from scratch or with a kit? I heard that it is less expensive than buying one that is already made. If so, where do you get your supplies and what brand do you use?

420express

[Jacktal]

Unless it is a model that isn't commercially available,I don't see any point in making a loco from scratch.I'd rather use my leisure time on building/operating my layout.Scratchbuilding is very time consuming.

I have such a project on my workbench(N scale Baldwin Centipede) on wich I spend time "on and off" and I believe it will be like this for months on,that is if it ever gets finished.............

Building from kits is a different approach as it probably is a good way to save some $$$ on the long run,but is it worthed the time involved?This is your choice.For my part,time is on short supply so I'm choosy about it.Just my opinion.............

[orsonroy]

Your time is the most precious resource you have. Building an engine, especially a steam engine (generally the only sort of engine "kit" available) will take lots of money and dozens of hours to finish properly. Buildign a steam kit is definitely NOT cheaper than buying RTR (even brass in most cases).

With that said, it's up to you if you want to take the plunge. There's more to the hobby than getting a layout up and running fast. I personally like building steam kits, and will spend 100 hours on one to get it to look "right". I find it therapeudic, and love the looks modelers give me when I show them a finished product.

Few modelers have the time, skills or patience to build a steam kit. Fewer still can build one from scratch. If you accomplish either (and do so well) you've done something that the vast majority in this hobby cannot do, and you'll forever be a MODELER.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. I wish I had the time to put into it. If I ever do I will do it for the reward of knowing that I that I did it.

Thank you,

420express

[CG9602]

If you're looking for a place that carries kits, try www.djhmodelloco.co.uk They carry kits of several different types of engines. Be prepared for some sticker shock, though - their kits ain't cheap.

If you decide to go there, chaeck out the Garratt kits. I find the kits fun, but then I've frequently had more fun building things than I have running layouts.

[AggroJones]

Has any one ever built (or attepted to build) a steam locomotive out of mostly styrene?

Everyones always talking about scratchbuilding in brass, which is much harder. What about the white plastic?

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

Has any one ever built (or attepted to build) a steam locomotive out of mostly styrene?

Yes, see the series in Mainline Modeler, use the Index of Magazines to do a search, or go directly to Mainline Modeler's website. There is one on building a steam locomotive from scratch, including the spoked wheels, and another on doing a new superstructure for a Bachmann J - kinda redundent now with the Spectrum J, but the techniques are applicable.

QUOTE:
Everyones always talking about scratchbuilding in brass, which is much harder. What about the white plastic?

Brass is not any harder to work with than plastic, it does require slightly different tools and knowledge. Once skilled in both, you will find some components are better to make from brass, some from plastic, some castings (resin or metal).

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 420express

Does anyone build their one loco's from scratch or with a kit? I heard that it is less expensive than buying one that is already made. If so, where do you get your supplies and what brand do you use?

Yes;

See: http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?category=Locomotive&scale=H&manu=&item=&keywords=kit&instock=Q&split=300&Submit=Search
http://bearlocomo.zoovy.com/
http://www.lynnet.com/~tigervalley/
http://www.bowser-trains.com/index.htm
http://www.mdcroundhouse.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brasslocobuilders/

[AggroJones]

Nigel's over 1000! Congrats!

[Jetrock]

People tend to talk about the cost of the time involved being a minus, but I just don't see it that way--if you enjoy scratchbuilding, then the time spent scratchbuilding the project is a pleasurable activity in itself. Plus, the satisfaction one gets from having built something from scratch lasts--you'll be reminded of the fun of building the engine every time you see it.

I'd agree that even someone who loves to scratchbuild would be less likely to build something if there were already excellent models of it available--but if said model was not quite up to snuff, a scratchbuilder might take up the challenge.

And, frankly, for those of us who like the obscure stuff, there really isn't any choice but to scratchbuild. Nobody ever built RTR or even kit versions of Sacramento Northern's homebrewed wooden flat-motor electrics, but I want one--so I've gotta build it! No manufacturer produces narrow-gauge gypsy logging engines, so if I want one, I hafta build one!

Part of this is my own self-induced masochism--I suppose that if I wanted to go easy I could just model SP, UP or AT&SF and buy everything straight off the shelf. But I'm just not wired that way--good thing I enjoy scratchbuilding, huh?

[Anonymous]

Jetrock:

BRAVO! Well said.

Randy

PS Take your meds [zzz]

[Fergmiester]

If given the opportunity, time and money I would definately try to build a brass loco.

Athabasca put together a kit about 4 years ago. I can't remember all the details but to me it would have been a good introduction to building in brass. I also believe that ther maybe a link somewhere in the "Brass Loco" poll thread that takes you to a brass builders forum.

What ever you do good luck.

[Eriediamond]

I know this may not be up your alley, but about 40 years or so ago I was in the Navy. My job classification was a machinist. I was stationed at a R+D facility, working with civilian engineers, developing recovery hardware and parachutes for the Apollo space craft and special aircraft deployed weapons for jungle warfare. Two of the engineers ask me if I would do some machine work for them. They had plans for a 4-6-2 Pacific, live steam for 5" gauge track. I really enjoyed doing it for them for several reasons: material was readily available, had good blue prints to work from, and had the tools available to do it. It was their engine even though we called it ours. As I recall, the only parts that were not hand made was the safety valve, feed water pump, propane burner, and whistle. I've also build several actual steam stationary engines completely from scratch, no plans no purchased parts, and fired with wood. I would like to acquire a small hobby type lathe and milling machine when I retire and build a live steamer again, but also build an HO scale engine or two just for the heck of it. There are many different aspects of this hobby and all different talents are use to construct a layout. Some enjoy ready to run some enjoy the challenge of building kits and some enjoy making a kit to build----scratch building. Some of us even enjoy this forum![(-D][(-D][(-D]

[IRONROOSTER]

Start with a Bowser kit. I built their K4 Pacific 30 years ago when I was in HO. I really enjoyed it and got good results even though I was a beginner.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

420 Express,
I've been building kits, kit-bashing and scratchbuilding locomotives for years. I get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
Bowser, MDC even the old Mantua/ Tyco kits are nice when built stock or are a good starting point for kit-bashes.
I've found it less expensive to build a locomotive roster this way. I search train shows for the kits people gave up on and boxes of used parts for scratch-building.
Here's a link to my latest edition.

http://www.the-gauge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7559&pagenumber=1

Some other projects.

http://www.the-gauge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6376

http://www.the-gauge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6370

http://www.the-gauge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6646

[CP5415]

I'm going to build one. Not for my layout, but for my daughter to play on like a jungle gym using 1x4's & plywood.
It's going to be my spring/summer project.
Painted CPR red with multimark.

Gordon

[vsmith]

Try large scale, kitbashing and scratchbuilding skills are almost a must for any diversity.

On my layout I have a few "Custom" jobs:

A kitbashed Bachmann loco modified from a 2-4-2 to a 2-4-0 by removing the trailing wheels and repositioning the cab forward. This one is in the Bachmann website Photo Gallery.

Several gas/mechanicals kitbashed from MDC Big Hustlers

A scratch built Goose

And a severely kitbashed Shay built from a Bachmann flatcar, two Aristo-Craft powered trucks and an AMC "The General" locomotive kit.