Builder01

Too bad about your Simplex. Or, you finished it and did not tell us! That's okay, steam locomotive building is not for everyone. David

I guess we'll never know!! David

Sounds like you have good help with plenty of experience. I'm sure things will turn out just fine. That last heat up will be a big one with lots to do. For me, as a beginner, I was a bit apprehensive about attempting too much at a single heat up. The fact that you are using oxy/propane will be a big help. I used only propane. Keep us posted. David

Looking good! Although, I would have not yet attached the back head until the firebox is soldered in with the tubes attached. It looks like you will have to solder the foundation and the back head at the same time. I would do the front tube sheet last. This way, the tubes can be free to expand and shrink while you are doing the fire box. I left the front tube sheet in place to support the tubes, but not yet soldered, while doing the fire box. I used three small copper screws to hold the front tube sheet in place while soldering the fire box. After the fire box, back head, and stays are done, the final heat up was for the smoke box tube sheet. Keep up the good work. What are you using for a heat source? David

I have only built one locomotive. Although it has been running under it's own steam since May, it is not yet finished. I have had a good time this year running it at my club track. For a while, I was even running it with no jacket on the boiler! My project this winter is to replace all of the temporary piping and finish up the side tanks and the rest of the plate work. Attached is the current state of affairs! It is jacked up on it's construction stand.

Looking good, you'll be ready for a hydro test in no time! The boiler build is very tedious, (I know). Keep up the good work. David

Hi Sweet Pea Owner, Did you buy, or, build this loco? Looks like 5" gauge, you have not said. David

Hi Mike, Any progress this past year? I finished my boiler and passed the hydro test back in May. I've been steaming it at my club track all summer even though it is far from finished. This running time has been important to work out small adjustments in the valve gear and other piping issues. Plate work is now the current work for this winter. Keep us posted on your project! David

Hi Steve, Are the digital versions of this magazine available as PDFs, or, are they only readable online? Does a digital subscription give access to some sort of archive? Thanks, David

Congratulations on getting your loco running on air! This is always a very significant milestone! Awesome!

How great is that to have the designer living so close to you! Well, so far, what you have done looks great! The tender looks quite good and represents quite a chunk of time spent. No doubt the rest of the loco will be of the same quality. I look forward to more photos as you progress. David

Looking good! Who's design is this? Very nice! David

Hi Dajt, Okay, cast iron it is! Sometime in the future, if you have to remake it, you might consider bronze, gun metal, or steel. Cast iron is pretty brittle. You can always make slides for the cross head out of cast iron if you feel it is necessary. Yes, I got my Super Simplex running on air in 9 months! I started in June of 2015 and the first test on air was in February of this year, 2016. I am now deep into boiler construction. I am an experienced machinist, but I know nothing about boiler building. The boiler has been a real learning experience for me! I hope to hydro test before the end of December. David

So sorry about the crack! I'm sure a sleeve around the outside will make a fine repair. Will your piston rod be pinned, or threaded into the cross head? I hope the crack does not come back to make further problems when fastening the piston rod. Just curious, why was cast iron chosen as material for the cross head? David

Hi Mike, Welcome to the Simplex Locomotive club! I am building a Super Simplex too. I am not finished yet, as I am deep into the boiler construction. I hope to pass a hydro test this winter. Hopefully I will have a boiler and not a pile of copper scrap! My chassis is running on air and I have tested it on steam from a stationary boiler, works great! It has taken me nine months to get the chassis running. I feel like the boiler will take the same amount of time! Looks like you have cast bronze motion brackets? My boiler material kit is from Blackgates. If you have questions along the way, let me know. Good to see another Simplex started. There is another forum that has a separate list just for Simplex builders. The activity on that list is completely dead. Many locomotives started, but, none finished. I hope you see it through. Good Luck! David