The Holy Grail of Model Railroading (Now with pictures)

[swknox]

Are there any books or websites that teach you how to use a lathe or milling machine? I have been thinking about buying one of each but not sure how to use them?

[dinwitty]

Little Engines has some bolt together locos, other Live Steam makers are the same.
Remember tho, you may have to have the engine inspected by the boiler authorities, just for safety anyways
It may be cheaper to do a Diesel.

[Bob Hayes]

James,

Since Matt brought it up, here's a little more information on scale vs. gauge. A modern full size locomotive is 10 feet wide and runs on a track gauge of 56-1/2 inches. If you scale it down to 1.5" per foot, it would be 15" wide and would run on a gauge of approx. 7-1/16". The gauge was changed to 7-1/4 because it was easier to measure. Somewhere in time, the gauge in most of the US got changed to 7.5". Then Tom Miller had a Big Boy built in 1.6" scale which makes 7.5" gauge correct scale wise, and makes locomotives 16" wide. Now if you want to build a model of a 3' narrow gauge locomotive to run on 7.5" gauge track, you have to build it in 2.5" scale. A Maine 2 foot gauge locomotive needs to be built in 3-3/4" scale in order for it to fit on 7.5" gauge track. Once you get to 2.5" scale, most people can fit inside a car, and can sit in the tender of a locomotive. At 3.3/4" scale, you can pretty well fit in the cab, but they are pretty big locomotives. Roll Models sells some, and my neighbor has one, I believe the price was around $50k.

Matt left out a gauge in his list of grand scales; 9" gauge used with 1/4 scale 3' narrow gauge. I think it's a nice size as the cars are wide enough to sit in comfortably, and steam engines are big enough to sound good without being too big.

The TM members own their own containers to keep their equipment in and some do share with friends. The next batch of containers will cost $2600+ shipping, and I believe they are all spoken for. I don't need a container, since I live next door and have an access track running into my basement.

The E&S Lines F7 is a nice starter loco. It has a fiberglass body, but doesn't have a lot of detail. You would still need a riding car to go behind it.

If you are really interested, I would suggest you check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/livediesel/ They have a lot of information about building a diesel from scratch as well as the various companies building them.

Bob Hayes

[Anonymous]

dinwitty,

The little engines bolt together locomotives are pircey. 15,000 + for a start.

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Bob Hayes,

Thanks for the info, but your link doesn't seem to work. Man! You park in your basement, like a gargage for you trains, that sounds interesteing. I noticed the E&S lines have free shipping, a mighty good thing, since they are located in Florida.
Speaking of scale how off scale are the little starter sets, like the one in capt_truk's post, they look too small to me?

Still investigating steam, about how much does a lathe and milling machine cost, just to get started, not a super fancy model?

[Bob Hayes]

Shawn,

Village Press has a magazine called "The Home Shop Machinist" which covers the use of machine tools and how to make things. They also publish "Live Steam & Outdoor Railroading". Some junior colleges have machine shop courses you can take, and some high schools offer night classes in machining. You will most likely need to learn to weld too. There are several books available. One of the ones I have is the 2 volumn set, "Machine Shop Principles". Also check your local public library or a large book store. Eventually, you will need to buy the "Machinery's Handbook" It doesn't tell you how to run the machine, but it has all the tables you will need, like tap & die sizes, drills, speeds & feeds, etc.

Bob Hayes

[Bob Hayes]

James,

I changed it. Try it again

Bob Hayes

[Bob Hayes]

James,

I don't think the Cannonball Lil Gaser is really a minature version of any real locomotive. It's just small and runs on a very small gas engine. I think they also make a battery powered version which is cheaper yet. Either would be a starting place, and as time goes on, you can get a bigger engine. You might also check out Rail Systems in Sutherland, Oregon. They make a SW1500 in 1.7" scale. I think that's the one either Mark or Joel has.

Bob Hayes

[underworld]

[:D]WoW!!! I think I have enough frequent flyer miles to go there for free!!!

underworld

[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Train 284]

Bob Hayes,

Thank you for correcting me! I forgot 9" gauge! Those Roll Models locomotive (steam) range from 40K - 50K. I recieved the price list and thought to myself, wow! I have seen some 2 1/2" scale equipment where you can not fit entirely in the car, but who knows....maybe I am wrong. Thanks very much for explaining it Bob! Sometime I tend to think that everyone know what I know! I have to put it to simpler terms, which is a skill I need to work!

If my friend gets his locomotive done in time, we maybe going up to the Train Mountain Triennial 2006. He has the chasis and most of the metal work done. Most of the final parts need to be added such as the cab, tender, etc.