I’m happy to say that my article on Super Detailing a D&RGW C-21 was included in this year’s Finescale Narrow Gauge Annual. The article centered on converting the locomotive frame from a static, frame with sprung drivers to a fully sprung and equalized frame. Upgrades to the valve gear, firebox, ash pan, pilot were also covered along with adding a flanger to the pony truck. A portion of the article is posted on the Finescale web page at http://www.finescalerr.com/. I did a considerable amount of research before tackling this project, and would be happy to share both research and techniques with any LSC member who is interested. The techniques used can be applied to detailing other locomotives.
Hi Jim
You know that I’m interested as I’m going to build both 360, 361 and 375(C-25). I need to get the Annual yet but the article look very interesting.
Thanks
Rodney
No plans on any D&RGW equipment, but any techniques you would like to share Jim, would be of value to me at least
I just got my copy of the annual yesterday, and just started going through it. Your article looks really interesting.
Ray,
I just finished a journey to the In-Ko-Pah railroad. I’m very impressed with what you have done. Your railway was obviously well planned, and painstakingly created among and through real rock! A very unique creation with lots of excellent scratchbuilt buildings…the night shots are just grand! I’ll be spending more time at your web page, really loads of good stuff!
Thanks Tom!
Jim, I greatly enjoyed your article. I don’t have machining capabilities but just seeing how everything goes together, and how it’s all supposed to work, was very enlightening. It’ll be helpful even for building non-functional details.
I was wondering if you have any photos you could post showing more of how the equalizer goes together?
Very impressive work.
Thanks Ray and Bruce,
First kodos to Russ Reinberg for a great publication. Russ’ approach to copywrites is unique; unlike other publications the author is free to share photos already published, so, yes I’ll be happy to dig up some additional photos from this project (give me a few days and I’ll post them). I’d also like to put in a plug for obtaining machining capabilities. You can obtain a mini-mill from Miro-Mark or Grizzly for between $500-$600. That sounds pricy, but when you figure that is less than many large scale engines, or 5 turnouts, it doesn’t seem so bad. Milling has openend up new horizons for me, and I’m a learn-as-you-go guy on milling. The other half of this equation is old reference books, along with photos from prototypes. RailPub.com has some GREAT old publications. The best example I have is the 1906 Steam Locomotive Dictionary (my copy was re-published in 1927). This and other books like it have photos and drawings of a huge variety of parts, appliances, and controls. I’ll be back with photos soon.
First, a word about my passion for accurately modeling steam engines. We are all in this hobby for our own personal reasons. I was fortunate to be associated with the National Museum of Transportation in St Louis Missouri, beginning at age 10 until age 27. Although their engines were static displays, I gained an appreciation for their design, studied steam engine construction, and later as a teen I was a tour guide and was proud to be able to answer a lot of questions; for example…”what’s that thing”? F Scale (1:20.3) was attractive to me because it was big enough to accurately model most of the unique parts of steam engines. The first photo is of the frame as produced. You will notice there are quite a few Phillips screws visible. Spring hangers and brake shoes are held in place with hex bolts. The black bar underneath the driver bearings are “L” beams with Phillips screws on both ends. These represent the journal pedestals.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/OriginalFrame2.JPG)
The second photo is the completed project so comparisons can be made easily
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/CompletedFrame2.JPG)
Below photo shows the original frame with the drivers and journal pedestals removed to show details a little clearer. You will notice with the journal pedestals removed all the support is at the top beam (referred to as the top rail). Steam locomotive frames all have a top and bottom rail to evenly distribute stresses to the frame. The journal pedestals are locked in place on both ends of the driver boxes with small interlocking tabs to create a rigid bottom rail.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/OriginalDetails.JPG)
This is the equalization fulcrum. On Consolidations the 3rd and 4th drivers are equalized using a fulcrum between them. The 1st and 2nd drivers are similarly equalized in association with the lead or pony truck. This fulcrum and support replace the black “T” shaped part of the frame between drivers 1 -2 and 3-4 in the third photo.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/Fulcrum.JPG)
The below equalization yoke is located across the front of the frame. The stirrups connect to the front ends springs for the first driver. It ties the vertical action of the first driver together with the pony truck.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/Yoke.JPG)
Here’s all the parts installed on the frame; springs, spring hangers, and equalization fulcrums. Note the spring hangers between the 2nd and 3rd drivers bolted to the top rail of the frame.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/CompleteDetails.JPG)
The next appliance is the brake hanger support located between the 2nd and 3rd drivers.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/BrakeHanger.JPG)
Here’s the brake hanger bolted to the frame…D&RGW 361 was built in 1900 and at that time almost everything was bolted together (thus the steam engine nickname “bucket of bolts).
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/littled/_forumfiles/HangerInstal.JPG)
Beautiful work Jim. Thanks for posting the pictures & details. The only thing I’ve managed to get published in the Annual are a few prototype pictures . My modeling isn’t up to Annual standards (yet?) 
Jim,
excelent work. I have yet to find a copy of the magazine here in New England.
Thanks for these posts, Jim. I’m following your fine work with interest.
Jim, I’m glad you are sharing this excellant work, and detailed explanation of steam engine structure. Amazing attention to detail certainly helps me see how the parts interacted with each other to form the whole. I’ll ask now that this be turned into an article to keep it from being lost in the mix. I hope you don’t mind if I save this for personal use.
No problem with saving this for personal use…that was my intent.
No problem
Jim
First I have to say your article was very impressive. I’m looking forward to more of your postings and how you did everything.
THANK YOU for sharing it with us.
I will agree that a milling machine is a very useful tool and not all that hard to learn how to use it. There is a lot of information available on the net to learn how to use them and like you said the cost is well worth it.
Rodney
…:)…
excellent!