I have permission to share an impromptu project that came together on our lanai, an early steam locomotive based upon “Stephenson’s ‘Rocket’.” Oldest Son chose this as his start-of-America’s-industrial-revolution project, mostly because a.) he had experimented with the techniques in 2025 (see O.D. & O.S. Mueller 2025 Mik - Steampunk Loco ) and b.) he knows we have the parts. Model railroads may not be his thing, but recognizing where experience and parts gives him an edge certainly is! Unfortunately, he thought the project was to commence in early February. I found this suspicious, as he knew about it before Christmas break, but what do I know, I’m just a parent. Naturally, a week or so ago, he found out it was DUE in early February! Ooops…
I was impressed. He didn’t panic. He grabbed Kid-zilla, inventoried parts on hand, asked me which were available for the project, scoped the level of detailing given time remaining, phased construction and painting to minimize down time, and set to…
I was not able to capture most of the project with film. The foundation was a trashed B’mann 10-wheeler chassis that he cut to size. A beer can covered in crafsticks banded in left-over strips of annealed aluminum served as the boiler. Painted plastic from a long ago supply package from @Pete_Lassen (I think this was the last of it!) served as rudimentary smoke box door, backhead, and deckplate. Craftsticks and scraps of 1/8" wood filled out the rest of the material list. Spare 10-wheeler rods and more bits of beer can became the pistons and cylinders.
The following pictures show the little loco under construction:
O.S., at my request, set the little loco out on the rails for a glamor shot.
He knows it lacks details (the lack of backhead and smokebox detail bothers him), and he acknowledges his error regarding the assignment’s timing. The teacher, however, was VERY impressed, and unfortunately, wants to keep it to show students in following years. What I find most impressive was his project management skills. There was no panic. There was no attempt to do what lack of time did not permit. There was an acknowledgement of error, an assessment of resources, and a quality outcome.
He may not have chosen the railroad as his hobby, but he learned those skills here with your help. As his dad, I thank you all for being part of our extended on-line ohana.
Sincerely,
Eric
P.S. I told him that if he gets it back and finishes it up, I’ll spring for a motor block to make a powered coach to move it along the rails.