Whats the least expensive 7 1/4 build?

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Whats the least expensive 7 1/4 build?

This topic has 16 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 15 December 2016 at 09:37 by Tinus Deysel.

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15 August 2016 at 12:42 #250848
nigel jones 5
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@nigeljones5
Now that my 7 1/4 Invicta is complete I would like to make something using plans and castings (instead of my own drawings and solid). Who offers the cheapest build casting set?
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15 August 2016 at 12:42 #8247
nigel jones 5
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@nigeljones5
15 August 2016 at 19:21 #250895
nigel jones 5
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@nigeljones5
PING
15 August 2016 at 19:55 #250903
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Pong

I would have thought a bit of what you fancy the look of would come into it rather than just building an engine that your heart was not into even if your wallet was. Can't really help with a suitable subject as I/m not a loco man but would have thought some sort of freelance 0-4-0

Edited By JasonB on 15/08/2016 19:57:44
15 August 2016 at 19:57 #250904
Roderick Jenkins
Participant
@roderickjenkins93242
Reeves (not known for being the cheapest) have some drawings and castings packages on offer at the moment. In 7 1/4". Tug at £980 seems to be their cheapest offer. I would have thought that any simple 4 wheel contractor's loco is likely to offer the best value. How about Sweet Willaim, the larger version of Sweet Pea?

Rod
15 August 2016 at 20:11 #250905
Brian G
Participant
@briang
After reading Neil Wyatt's Southam article in the ME that arrived this morning I was looking on Kennion's site for the price of the "Tich" hornblocks, and accidentally found the "Big Titch" instead. By my reckoning the drawings and castings come out at £819.

Brian
15 August 2016 at 20:58 #250913
Bob Youldon
Participant
@bobyouldon45599
Good evening Fizzy,

I must be one of the most tight fisted model engineers around, the only castings I'll shell out for these days are wheel castings. Some of the prices quoted today for cylinders are astronomical and frankly I'll provide my own blow holes! There isn't much on the stock designs that cannot be fabricated, in fact some of the cast items offered are very poor; cylinders are a reasonably easy to replicate, see the current series in ME by Terrence Holland, even the new build Brighton Atlantic at the Bluebell Railway uses built up fabricated cylinders. By careful choice of prototype, say the little L&Y 0-4-0 pug, even the wheels can be fabricated. If its a stock design you'd prefer then there are a number that'll lend themselves to fabrication with perhaps the only investment being wheel castings.

Regards,

Bob
15 August 2016 at 22:46 #250928
julian atkins
Participant
@julianatkins58923
I dont know the answer to this.

I agree with Jason that something you really want to build and have an interest in scores more highly than overall cost, which when spread out over a number of years is of less importance, plus Bob's very salient points that very rarely do you have to buy castings.

If I were to build a 7.25"g loco I would choose Don Young's IW Terrier Newport design. It is an excellent loco, one of which Don was very proud of shortly before his untimely death due to cancer. I have done a revised/improved valve gear design for it. There is a 7.25"g variant of his Tom Rolt design which is quite excellent but it wasnt done by Don (he did the 5"g version).

The Ken Swan designs are well worth considering, but if 'Wren' which I have some experience of, the boiler could do with superheaters added.

The GLR/Kennions 1366 class GWR 0-6-0PT loco is a nice design in 7.25"g

I just hope you dont build one of those dreadful Tinkerbell or Romulus locos!

Cheers,

Julian

Edited By julian atkins on 15/08/2016 22:50:15
16 August 2016 at 09:48 #250955
Old Elan
Participant
@oldelan
I always fancied the GWR dock tank 1100 class. Also known as Midge. A build series was in ME in 1936 by George Gentry. Recent castings and drawings by Jim Vass but now with Horley Miniature Locomotives.

A strong engine and not 'PUG' ugly in my view!

http://horleyminiaturelocomotives.com/

Edited By Old Elan on 16/08/2016 09:49:10

Edited By Old Elan on 16/08/2016 09:50:25
16 August 2016 at 14:25 #250998
RICHARD GREEN 2
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@richardgreen2
What's wrong with Romulus ?

Richard.
16 August 2016 at 15:52 #251007
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Posted by fizzy on 15/08/2016 12:42:19:

Now that my 7 1/4 Invicta is complete

Photo?

Judging by your avatar you have time for a long build so go on start a 9F

Perhaps as you are not committed to any particular model you could wait for a part built chassis or set of castings on ebay or through the 7 1/4 association which might get it down to price.
16 August 2016 at 19:04 #251038
nigel jones 5
Participant
@nigeljones5
Ive got a complete set of drawings and castings for 5" Speedy but It just doesnt do it for me, so I apreciate the part about building something you want to build. My passion would be a GWR 1100 040 tank in 71/4 gauge. Im not into scale replicas so no problems with a few adoptations and fabrications, id just like to build to a proven design safe in the knowledge that I wont have to remake most of the parts further down the line. Do drawings exist for such an item (or a 71/4 Pansy, although I like the simplicity of 040)?
16 August 2016 at 20:07 #251049
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Try looking at Old Elan's link, they list the drawings etc
16 August 2016 at 23:04 #251079
julian atkins
Participant
@julianatkins58923
Midge is a very old design and the drawings would require quite a bit of work to bring them up to modern spec IMHO especially the boiler. Not usually on anyone's 'to do' list these days.

I was asked about Romulus. It is pretty basic compared to most 5"g designs and one of the boiler options is very – erm – basic with an appalling tube layout and no superheaters.

I like brass domes and copper capped chimneys and GWR green…

**LINK**

Cheers,

Julian
17 August 2016 at 07:30 #251087
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Posted by julian atkins on 16/08/2016 23:04:39:

Midge is a very old design and the drawings would require quite a bit of work to bring them up to modern spec IMHO especially the boiler. Not usually on anyone's 'to do' list these days.

Again, Old Elan's link is to updated drawings & design, not the 1936 Midge
17 August 2016 at 20:53 #251188
nigel jones 5
Participant
@nigeljones5
Julian, that 1366 is spot on, just a shame the wheels would cost £300. Im definately tempted though. Thanks
15 December 2016 at 09:37 #271953
Tinus Deysel
Participant
@tinusdeysel21051
I have made a start on a USRA 0-8-0 (almost identical to Martin Evans` Caribou) .Making own wheel patterns via wax ,lead and finally aluminium to be cast for free by a friendly guy.Only outlay so far was frame material.A long long way to go, but I suppose you build a loco the same way you eat an elephant-small bites! Should have said earlier that it is in 7.25 inch gauge.
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