Building a Model Steam Engine From Scratch

[GP-9_Man11786]

Even though I'm modeling the Ulster & Delaware, I've always been a huge Pennsy fan. Then why not model the PRR you ask. Well the complete lack of steam in N Scale. We only have the Minitrix K4 and B6 models. I own both. That leads me to my question, how hard is it to build a model locomotive from scratch? Have any of you built your own locos? How do you get a mechanism? Where do you go from there?

[mlehman]

It's a challenge to build a well-running steam loco in any scale, let alone N. How do you get the mechanism? You build it.Then you tune it so it runs well, then you build the "shell" -- the boiler and cab -- to fit

Have you looked over a typical brass steamer and how it's made? There's a lot to learn. People do buy casting for things like stacks, domes, cylinders, air pumps, etc. The rest is usually built up of mostly brass, with a few components of other materials (steel axles, rods, etc).

I built a diesel from a PSC kit. It was a lot of fun, but I'm really glad it was a diesel instead of steam for my first brass kit build. Info here:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/210285/2302304.aspx

[gandydancer19]

I have built a couple of steam locos from scratch. Or rather, kit bashed.

I started with a running mechanism first. I made sure it was in the wheel configuration that I wanted and was of a suitable size that could be used for my project. I started with scrap locos because they were cheap. If I decided they could be used, I reconditioned them with new parts as required and made sure they ran good.

Next I found the detail parts necessary. If I could not find everything I needed, there was no point in continuing.

Next I built the boiler and the domes domes. After that it was a matter of adding the details.

You need a couple of good drawings and some photos to refer to as you build the loco. One of the most helpful machines I used was a lathe. I used it to turn the boiler and domes. I used plastic rod for them.

Was it easy?  No.  But they were good modeling projects.  You need to take your time and not get in a rush.  It could take a year to complete one loco.  I worked on other things in between working on the locos.

Building a loco is one of those projects you take on if you are short of hobby funds and have a lot of time.

[locoi1sa]

Join the PRR modeling group from Yahoo groups. There are some N scale PRR modelers that kitbash N scale steam. I have seen some L1s and an H8 or H9s bashed by some very good modelers.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PRR-Modeling/?yguid=270163699

 Another great resource is the TKM quarterly online magazine. Some super N scale stuff on them.

http://www.prrths.com/newprr_files/newPRRKeystoneModeler.htm

  Check them out.

Pete

[NittanyLion]

About 95 or 96, MR had a long series about scratchbuilding a steamer.  It was HO scale but bending metal is bending metal.

[cjcrescent]

Back in the mid to late 1950's, MR ran a series of articles by Mel Thornbrough, (sp?). His specialty was scratch-building brass locomotives, among others. Did he have a machine shop? Fancy tools? Amazing skills on a lathe? NO!!

His most sophisticated tools were a hand drill, a ruler, and a set of files, and IIRC, one of those old fashioned soldering irons, that were heated by an open flame.

Do a magazine search to find the articles by Mel. While his skills were nothing short of amazing, he showed no hesitation at all about sharing them. His directions were so well done that if you followed them, you could probably built one right off the bat.

A friend of mine who knew Mel actually had one of Mel's models. Even when he had to get out of the hobby, he kept that model. I don't know if that model still exists, as after my friend left Mobile, I lost touch with him, and I'm not sure that he's even still with us.

[andrechapelon]

GP-9_Man11786

Even though I'm modeling the Ulster & Delaware, I've always been a huge Pennsy fan. Then why not model the PRR you ask. Well the complete lack of steam in N Scale. We only have the Minitrix K4 and B6 models. I own both. That leads me to my question, how hard is it to build a model locomotive from scratch? Have any of you built your own locos? How do you get a mechanism? Where do you go from there?

 

If you're really serious about scratchbuilding N scale steam, you might want to consider joining the 2mm Association in the UK.  http://www.2mm.org.uk/  While N scale everywhere else is to 1.9mm/foot, the 2mm Association can actually supply components (drive wheels, quartering jig, frame assembly jig,  for instance) that could be usable for American based models. Here's a link to parts/supplies/tools suitable for locomotive construction:http://www.2mm.org.uk/products/shops.php?shop_num=3 . Page down and have a look.

Then there's the finescale N group http://www.fs160.eu/ . Article about building a small loco: http://www.fs160.eu/fiNeweb/Lconstruction/type50/Type50.php There are a bunch of links here about various construction techniques: http://www.fs160.eu/fiNeweb/Lconstruction/locmenu.php

 

There's a series of posts at Trainboard by a fellow who took a Model Power USRA light 4-6-2 and ended up with a Southern Pacific P-10.  http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?118362-Southern-Pacific-P-10-Steam-Engine-N-Scale-SP-Steam

 

You might want to Google Russell Straw. who has done a number of loco projects in N scale. Also, Dave Vollmer, who posted here at one time, did some kitbashing to create a Pennsy M1 and an H9. Dave's website: http://thevollmerfamily.com/Pennsy/ .

 

There's also a fellow who goes by the handle of Skipgear who has done some extensive kitbashing/scratchbuiliding of N scale steam. http://tinyurl.com/ml7onno

 

Max Magliaro's work: http://www.maxcowonline.com/ 

 

EDIT: You might also want to check here: http://www.ntrak.org/steam_data_book_description.htm

 

Hope this helps.

 

Andre

 

 

 

 

[ndbprr]

You could kitbash a 2-8-2 L1 PRR engine. It uses the same boiler as the K4. That might be easier if you can get a suitable mechanism.

[GP-9_Man11786]

ndbprr

You could kitbash a 2-8-2 L1 PRR engine. It uses the same boiler as the K4. That might be easier if you can get a suitable mechanism.

IIRC, GHQ made an L1 she'll that fit Kato's Mikado. Other than the Minitrix K4 and B6 th only other PRR prototype in N Scale (excluding brass) is the Black River E6. I understand those are quite hard to find.

Thanks for all the great advice everybody. I've definitely got my work cut out for me but learning to build locomotives will definitely be worth it. 

[PASMITH]

I built two steam locomotives in HO scale mostly from wood around N gauge diesel locomotive mechanisims. This turns out to be 30" gauge in HO Scale The verticle boiler locomotive is a dummy because it would not fit around the N gauge mechanism. It is powered by a water tank car that can fit around the N gauge Diesel mechanism.

Peter Smith, Memphis

[BRAKIE]

My dad's generation of modelers did a lot of scratchbuilding..As a kid I remember my dad scratching building a steam engine(IHB 0-8-0?) and there was lots of work involved.He did cheat though and use Commercial detail parts from Kemtron  and running gear(drivers,side rods,valves etc) from Penn-Line.The frame was made from brass.

That engine was a very smooth runner for its time.

 

There is a fella on one of the  N Scale forums that does that type of modeling.

 

[West Coast S]

I built a 1/64 scale M-6 SP mogul by building up the frame in brass, the drivers were obtained from Bowser and are intended for HO scale with new axles cut from drill rod, the boiler was formed from sheet brass and tube with some styrene also in the mix. Cab was repurposed from a deceased AM pacific as was its smokebox front, pilot and main rods. Those unique SP steam cylinders almost proved my undoing, a kitbash was in order on the aforementiond AM pacific's cylinder's to produce a suitable example, the pilot truck was obtained and modified from a Bachman ON30 2-6-0!  Commercial and scratchbuilt castings completed the job. 

I recall a modeler in the 70's who was a fanatic for big steam, he scratchbuilt a fantasy UP 4-12-12-6 in HO scale in brass and sheer determination with very few commercial parts, it ran like a swiss watch too, since it was a true articulated i've often wondered what the minium radius was for this monster?

Dave

 

[locoi1sa]

GP9.

 Here is an article on scratch building an H6sb in N scale.

http://www.prrths.com/Keystone%20Modeler/Keystone_Modeler_PDFs/TKM%20No.%2075%20Autumn%202010.pdf

 I knew I seen one somewhere.

              Pete