Florence Locomotive Works

Scratch that. The new plan at the moment is to install a large open frame O scale motor between the frames of the engine. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Acme-1000-X1350-O-Scale-Open-Frame-Motor-/393735557345?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0 I’m currently looking at a motor like this which I think will fit best. However I’m not entirely sure how to attach it to the frames, more specifically the center stretcher/cross brace. There’s also the possibility that it’s to big. In this case do we think an ho scale large Pittman would have enough power for this engine? I’m choosing open frames as a can motor would be very difficult to attach to the frames, I think. Douglas

Evening all, Today was a fairly rubbish day. In short I had to rip out the drivetrain on the engine. In an exceptionally good example of my own foolishness I decided this afternoon to move the wheels on the engine inward by 4mm as they were out of gauge. This meant the removal of all wheels. 4 hours later they had been returned to their axles 6 times and incorrectly quarter four times, I had managed to slice my finger open and the front bogie axle had developed a problem. After another hour the engine for reasons best left unsaid made a very quick flight across the workshop landing in some Meccano cranes which broke its fall. To my surprise and somewhat my frustration no serious harm was done to the engine other than some bent parts, as was looking for an excuse to stop work. However with an aching back courtesy of the designer at IKEA who doesn’t know how to make a desk chair, I persevered and finally managed to get the quartering on point, but unfortunately the drive system has developed some untraceable fault in the gearing. So I uninstalled it. Which means, I can now fit a backhead and cab detail. The intention is to have the motor in the tender now. The the tender frames were also erected this AM. Douglas

First tender frame cut and spotted. As I would say at school… #thegrindneverstops Douglas

Messrs D.M. Bodger & Co decided it was a worthy day to take celebratory photos of the engine and the builder, in the snow in 20 degree weather. So the builder was dragged out of his hole and put in period clothing. Management said he looks as though he’s just seen a pannier wearing red. Douglas Heres the nice part though.

Morning all, Today I finished the engine. At the beginning of this lengthy saga back in may, a certain Wing Commander Hunt said something to the effect of, “welcome to the world scratch building Douglas, I think will find the feeling of constructing your own engine a very satisfying one.” And he was right. Although I’m not sure it was an enjoyable process, but a rewarding one. So yes the engine is now finished bar a few minor details, and a huge thank you goes to all those involved who provided advice and lathes. This morning it was run successfully for 15 minutes in the test stand to bed in the bearings, which produced black oil so we are on the right track so to speak. And it is also capable of moving under its own power for a sustained length of time. Here are some ex works photos. Overall I think it came out pretty nice, although I know the soldering causes some to vomit, including myself. But I have certainly learned a lot that I will never forget and I certainly don’t regret starting the project. It’s come a long way from the G1 Lancashire & Yorkshire 0-8-0 it was going to be! I am unsure how to proceed now, with regards as wether to build the tender next or my section of track. I have drawings made for tender, but no materials are in current possession of myself, but funds have been set aside for those. Suggestions wanted. *the parent company of the of the Florence Avenue Locomotive Works, Messrs. D.M. Bodger & Co, is greatly indebted to Messrs. Andy ID & Co for their assistance with the driving wheels and acquisition of a lathe. They wish to ask which charity said Co would like the proceeds of the wheels to be donated to. Douglas

Managed to get the buffers turned up last night, unfortunately they aren’t sprung and I don’t have the material to make them so. The actual buffer stocks are the water gauge gland nuts from a 1924 Weeden Mfg Co boiler. As is one of the domes on the engine, although that is a another part of the gauge. Douglas

Very true and a good point as well, however I don’t currently have the space for curves so the engine is set up to run along a 70 foot long over section in the garden which will be civilized by the laying of rails.

Evening all, Busy week so far but I got the buffers turned up today and installed. They seem to suit the engine. I also managed to discover a massive bogie misalignment problem which will take most of tomorrow afternoon to rectify. It’s out of kilter with the center line of the engine by more than 1/8 inch, how I didn’t see this before I don’t know. Douglas (The buffer stocks are the water gauge nuts off a 1924 Weeden Mfg Co boiler)

Now that would be a very helpful feature. Do you upload a scan of the drawing and then it’s converts it?

I see. I’ve been using TinkerCad since for 8 years now and it certainly has its limits, so I think any upgrade in software would be a good one. People make some amazing things in TinkerCad though.

Indeed thats something I’ve been kicking myself to do for a while now. Would you say TurboCAD would be a good one?

At some point in the next 4 years or before Gibson shuts down I intend to buy a 4mm GWR 1076 Buffalo kit from him to run on my still fantasy Edwardian south wales GWR branch layout to be made after college. Are the 4mm kits somewhat better than the 7mm?

I’m not sure the pic is from Wikipedia. I know it races there regularly but I don’t remember seeing it when I attended in 2013. My dad has seen it though. I seem to remember it had a nasty crash a few years ago but that may be a 250 LM I’m thinking of. I’m terrible at Ferrari model names/numbers, bar the Dinnos as there’s only two and we’ve got one!

According to dad this isn’t the bread van variant as this is the Twin Cam Special version with the lowered sides. It’s painted in white JPS livery, which I think would have looked excellent on the F1 car. (You could order Europas in white or black if ordering a JPS) The car under the tarp is a ‘86 Porsche 928, which is being eaten by a ‘79 928 for parts. The Ferrari is a very famous 250 gto variant with the rear panel made level with the roofline creating a flattened van look. More here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_250_GT_SWB_Breadvan

Indeed, fresh back from a rebuild. Hopefully this will solve the problems the car has with not idling below 2000 rpm.

I think your thinking of the Ferrari... It’s a Europa, we just got the carbs back from a rebuilder and they needed installing. Funny how when you take things off a car they have to go back on it to function.

We are currently drinking tea, working on a 1972 Lotus and listening to 10cc. All thats missing is a salt and vinegar crisp sandwich.

Yes thats right. Rodent, MP4 is definitely not a drawback. Which are you looking at?

Morning all, Dad and I had our usual breakfast downtown where we meet a friend who is also and advice on Project Brunel: He’s a former petroleum engineer who grew up on the PRR in steam days. He has a great interest in all things engineering so I often bring one of the old books I have, along with the engine for a progress update. Afterwards dad an I went down to the East bank of the Arkansas River to “inspect” the progress on the dam and bridge which some may remember my posting about. A lot has been done. The coffer dam covering half the river has been finished and the first arches have gone up. It’s very narrow though as it will only be carrying bike and foot traffic. The old bridge to the right is the former Midland Valley Railroad bridge from 1919, which is slowly being demolished. Below this bridge is the old low water dam, built in the 70s to outdated specifications and it never really worked. It’s being demolished as well to make way for the new piers. The crane was preparing to lift a man-cage off the deck. In the background you can see the Holly Refinery complex and a PSO power station, both date back to the 1890s. The power station is mostly from the 30s and is on steam with boilers fired presumably with natural gas, which literally leaks out of the ground around here. In the first photo inside the berm you can see the new dam, about 25 foot high with two flood gates similar to those on the Thames. Once finished I think it’s getting four. Once the bridge/dam is finished it will provide a pedestrian link between the trails on the West Bank and the Gathering Place, which is Tulsa’s multi million dollar gardens & park. The dam is to provide water sports facilities. Douglas

Yes, they were mandated from the very start at the Rainhill Trials, although then they were a bugle blown by the fireman and known as "The Audible Means of Approach" rather than a whistle. Locos have had proper whistles since approx 1831.

I suggest simply cutting a door in the side your water tank above water level similar to a C-47/Dakota. A large order from Sieverts should see a marked improvement in water temperature during the chilling hipposhire winters.

Indeed it is, although due to scale it can’t be sprung. Each axle has about 2mm of vertical travel. The shaft the bogie pivots on is sprung though.

Evening all, Finished off the front bogie today more less, some stuff still needs doing on it though. Today was the first day back at school this year. A success, even math is looking up. Douglas

Managed to get the 4th and final wheel of the bogie* finished this evening bar painting, and fitted it to the frames and axles. The axles still need facing cuts made in the lathe along with shortening and neither of the right hand side wheels have been painted or trued up on the axles, so there is still work to do. Once thats finished though the engine is done and it’s on to the tender! *the bogie is made in the same way as full size with two sets of frames, one floating and one fixed giving it in simple terms 4 wheel independent suspension. Unfortunately due to scale it can’t be sprung. The bogie pivot pin is sprung however, which helps to put more weight on the drivers. Douglas

That would require the acquisition of a new engine. The main problem with a model stern wheeler is that with the high speeds the engine runs at. The reciprocating motion of cranks working on the paddle would have very severe effects on the stability of the boat. Most people who build model stern wheelers either make them huge or build custom engines with long, gentle piston strokes and valve events like on the real thing. On a real stern wheelers the engine is almost the full length of the hull, taking up about 3/4 of its length along the very edges, enabling a very very long stroke. I've seen a preserved one that was exhumed from a wreck in Kansas city and the stroke is probably 4 foot.