Chores day…No progress. I did explain the schedule, and, given that their project seems to depend on the painting and detailing, I told them they need to push to finish major construction by the end of this weekend to allow the glues, paints, and stains required to dry between applications of the finishing details. They changed the subject…
Eric
NONE of this surprises me. You have taught them well and they have listened. However they are not gonna tell you that as it would be totally uncool.
A craft stick boiler jacket is total steampunk and “dope” as the kids would say.
I will throw them my blessing over the project!
I have passed along your blessings, o @Rooster !
O.S. made major progress today. He was up early…
…and he cut and glued the boards for a foredeck of sorts.
It is my understanding this will mount a ram. Or a figurehead. Or a ram with a figurehead.
He also finished the interior of one of the boilers.
That’s pretty cool! He is working to turn this one over to O.D. He plans to finish the other boiler as she paints and stains this one.
Good progress overall!
Eric
This is exciting and I will patiently await the ram bow and remember it must be named if it’s figural. Adding this for inspiration as it could be something as simple as cut vinyl or tape teeth …
Anyone who has Facebook access could take a look at the “Raucous Rails” group, run by the famous Chris Walas. Some good steampunk ideas there!
So this is what the MIK does to preteen boys…
He puttered on this project on and off all day. figured out a way to seat a 9 volt battery into a boiler.
Another project was the rather intricate cab doors.
Naturally, these, too, are craftsticks! I am not sure if framing is in the plan. Still, this is closing in on completion, and I am starting to see the finished project.
His sister has been researching ideas for the painting and detailing. I don’t think she realizes how close this project is to rolling from the fabrication shops to the finishing shops!
Eric
For sure, his work was astoundingly creative.
Oldest Son braced the cab walls today.
He also commenced a 1:1 set of chain mail using pull tabs from beverage cans. This was cool, but it did not advance the MIK…
Meanwhile. O.D. did venture to the lanai, as the handoff to the paint and detail team is coming! A big part of the effort today was to blacken the inside of the boilers and any exposed metal that the wood cladding did not cover. This required both masking and painting.
Of all the projects, this is the one I worry won’t make it over the line…We shall see!
Eric
Team Mueller’s progress is looking great, on all fronts!
I’m really looking forward to how this loco will come out!
No more so than I! Only talk today by its builders…no progress to report!
Eric
Is this a government contract or what?
The engineer has a place to stand.
O.S. is ideating on how to mount the second boiler. I am going to see if I have some battery clips.
O.D. tells me she has her paint scheme ready, and she purchased some paints to that end.
This seams to be coming together…
Eric
Somewhere over the last couple days he figured it out, and craftsticks became a cab.
He had the 1:24 team putting finishing touches on this phase of construction when I came home this evening.
I won’t pretend to understand this project at all, but it is COOL! Let’s see if O.D. will rise to the challenge of painting out this beast.
Eric
O.S. has hit his stride, adding a seat for the engineer, and a Darjeeling style coal bunker.
The coal runs down a shoot made from an abandoned bit from O.D.'s never finished grain elevator. Coal runs from the bunker, down the tube, into the firebox.
Next up is a way to enter the cab, possibly using external ladders and a walkway over the boiler. He also has plans for non-functioning pistons, with aluminum clad dowel bits to serve as the cylinders and smaller dowels to serve as pushrods. We also discussed the after stack and the possibility of steam domes.
He grumbled about O.D.'s failure to paint some part or the other. She is behind on homework, so she can use breaks in her catch-up marathon to uphold her end of the deal!
This is really coming along!
Eric
Busy weekend on the lanai! Made busier by having the lanai flooded out on Thursday due to a winter storm.
We recovered the lanai on Friday, and work recommenced.
O.S. has decided to fit this loco to a previously built siege train.
This will include whatever this is becoming.
He also made the access ladder and walkway.
Not bad for recycling scraps of craftsticks.
O.D. has finally committed to the project, and she laid in with paint and brush.
Her brother has been chiding her about her tardiness!
Both feel the project is in a good place with a week to go. The plan to focus on the details over the course of the week. Whatever those are, this is becoming ever weirder and ever more wonderful!
Eric
They are involved and on their own plane. I’d say that’s a win win. great work you two. looking forward to the outcome. 
I love the whimsy of it. Turly their own creation. What a fun project.
