Large Scale Central

Messing around in 1/16 live steam

Electronics Live Steam
#1

About 2 years ago I picked up a broken Ertl Millennium Froelich tractor fairly cheap.

It was missing a binch of details, So I decided to make something else out of it. Since I have a vertical boiler here, I decided that a Westinghouse traction engine would be just the ticket.

Tonight I finally got my butt off dead center and actually started on it. I decided the easiest course was to re-use most of the diecast Froelich frame. It won;t be a perfect scale model as it will be mirror image, but I think it’s gonna work out just fine anyway.

#2

More!!!

tac

#3

But…it will be a perfect scale model of the left handed version of the tractor.

#4

Patience is a virtue. One I don’t have much of. I went searching for the boiler today. And didn’t find it. I did, however, find my old Jensen 25. Rather a shame to break a complete engine, but, like I said, it was here…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4270001.jpg)

I flipped the three countershafts, so that it is ‘right’. It was a pain in the butt getting everything to mesh with no slop or bind because the Ertl “bearings” are just simple straps with a lot of play. I’m debating with myself whether I want to take about 1/2" off the nose because Westinghouse engines didn’t have all that overhang

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4270002.jpg)

I managed to salvage the Froelich steering gear by extending the steering shaft with brass tube. The drive belt is a rubber band from Giant Eagle’s produce department. It will do for testing anyway…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4270005.jpg)

Upon checking the measurements it has been decided that the scale is closer to 1", maybe I’ll eventually look at resin dollhouse figures for a suitable operator. And, for those who are asking, “What as this to do with trains?” The gentleman who designed these traction engines was the father of the OTHER Westinghouse - the one who did the air brake thing

#5

Today was nice between rain showers, so I worked on other stuff most of the day. I still manged to get a few things done. I started on the rear ‘suspension’ It’s more for looks than anything. I still need to add a top and bottom strap and 2 long vertival bolts to each side

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4280001.jpg)

I also bobbed the nose. Now it looks more like a Westinghouse.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4280002.jpg)

I’ll probably hook up the steering chains yet this evening. It should only take 10 or 15 minutes

#6

Day 4: Boiler still in hiding Steering chains are hooked up. It takes 32 full turns of the steering wheel from full left to full right. Prototypical, but maybe not very practical. I may need to consider a larger winding drum.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4290001.jpg)

I happened to have a bit of 21/32 brass tube - A sliding fit right over the cylinder. Once epoxied in place it will be a dandy crosshead guide.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4290004.jpg)

Still longer than the prototype, and skinnier too, but IMO a big improvement

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P4290005.jpg)

#7

Boiler found!!! This was the very first one I ever built… almost 30 years ago. If it looks a little rough and scruffy, that might be why. IMO it’s a little (ok, over an inch) tall, So I may have to come up with a ‘plan B’…

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P5010003.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P5010004.jpg)

#8

Boiler shortened. $14 for silver solder.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P5020003.jpg)

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/P5020004.jpg)

I haven’t found the top part. It was a cut down 2" copper reducer. So I priced a new one… ouch!

#9

It’s coming on…keep at it.

tac