evening star locomotive

[Albert CornofskyParticipant @albertcornofsky50684]

looking for the dates of model engineer magazine pertaining to building the 3.5" scale evening star locomotive full build

[Albert CornofskyParticipant @albertcornofsky50684]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Put Evening Star into this index search box.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Albert, when you search as Jason has said, you will find only five issues of ME from 1978 vol 144 (Jan-July) that contain construction of the 3.5" Evening Star, this is because LBSC started the series in Practical Mechanics but passed away before the series was finished and those in ME are where the late Martin Evans completed LBSC's work. You may be better off acquiring the Martin Evens book on building the Evening Star. **LINK** is one place that it is currently available.

Regards Nick.

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Martin Evans book for the 3 1/2 " Evening Star is not a complete treatise as it glosses over several items but is easy to follow. There are some errors in the drawings, particularly regarding the linkage to the reversing gear. One link is shown too long.

Clive

[Nigel BennettParticipant @nigelbennett69913]

Like a lot of LBSC's designs, it isn't a particularly accurate model of the real thing. The frames and horns are not as the full-size 9Fs, which had the horns affixed to the outside face of the frames. I also found out (after I'd spent ages fitting steel tyres and fitting separate balance weights on mine) that the castings I had bought only had 13 spokes instead of 15.

Having said that, careful attention to the detail appearance (from photos) can give you a reasonable-looking locomotive which should run well – like Ken Ellwood's Times and Star which carried off a number of prizes in its time in efficiency competitions. If you want more accurate detail, you could always refer to the Les Warnett 5"G version, published in another magazine from about 1983.

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

Posted by Nigel Bennett on 11/07/2015 17:01:40:

. . . . . .The frames and horns are not as the full-size 9Fs, which had the horns affixed to the outside face of the frames. . . . . . .

Not strictly correct.The 9Fs along with the other larger BR standards had the frames centred over the horns. A clear example may be seen where the horns can be seen being welded centrally into the frames of Hengist at http://www.72010-hengist.org/hengist-components/frames?start=40

This feature was also common to DoG (71000), the Brits (70XXX) and Clans (72XXX)

[stan pearson 1Participant @stanpearson1]

The horns on the 9F was fitted on the outside of the frames as Nigel say`s and they were riveted not welded.

Stan

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, the photo below shows the first three coupled wheels of the Evening Star displayed in the National Railway Museum in York in 1993. Through the spokes of the middle wheel of the three, can be seen the horn quite clearly on the outside of the frame and it looks to me that it is in fact riveted on. I do not know if there is any part of this horn or a pair to this horn on the inside of the frame also.

Regards Nick.

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi nick,

thanks for the excellent pic!

brian is correct in that the horns are centred over the frames although fitted from the outside as stan states. this is copied from the Bulleid Pacifics.

hi albert, when you get to the boiler be very careful about the throatplate as LBSC specified a sif bronze welded joint here, as butt joint to the barrel. my own preference would be a double flanged throatplate. also ditch the stainless piston valve bobbins and make them out of hard drawn bronze. there is an awful lot of 'new' stuff on piston valve bobbins and liner passage shape cut outs that is far in advance of LBSC's practice.

cheers,

julian

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Do you locomotive modellers have dinky little trays to catch the oil from your bearings, too?

Cheers, Tim

[Robert Graham 1Participant @robertgraham1]

No Tim, just one big one! Actually, I think I have seen some over here with just such small trays for that very purpose.

Now, Hello Gents and Ladies of Model Engineer. My name is Robert Sydney Graham; Sydney after Syd Stevens, my grandfather. He was a model engineer in New Zealand many years ago and I have the good fortune of inheriting his knack for mechanical things along with his 3 1/2" engines; a Juliet and a half built Evening Star (main frame, running gear and smoke box as well as tender all completed). I brought all of his collection here to Canada back in the late 90's and have only just now begun to start into the hobby since I turned 50 earlier this year.

I do recall seeing the drawings for this Evening Star back then when I packed things up but I have yet to find them now that I am beginning to think about trying to finish her. I have a question regarding the boiler outer tube material and I'm hoping I might find the answer here until I find my drawing set. What diameter and wall thickness is the outer tube? I have the back plate for the tubes in the firebox, flue tubes, superheaters, throttle valve, etc. but I am hoping to procure the main outer boiler material and have a potential source here but I need some specs to be sure to get the correct material.

I see there is a complete boiler kit available for these still available but given how many parts of this I already have, I am hoping to just procure the missing pieces and therefore save myself a little expense. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Rob

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

 I have a copy of Martin Evans book building the Evening Star.

I believe all the plans are in the book as well as the build details. I have put an ad in the for sale section..

Edited By Engine Builder on 24/07/2015 09:09:36

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

The boiler is 4 and 5/8 " dia and 1/8" thick is specified but I think 10 G would be about right. I could not find any 4 and 5/8" tube and think I would use 5" and silver solder a strap along the seam as the diameter is reduced to 4 and 5/8". There are detailed instructions in Martin Evans build book for Evening star.

The boiler on the last quote I had was £1300 and an 11 month wait time!. I am at the same position as you graham, a rolling chassis, Tender done and smoke box done, its the boiler that has held me up and I am getting older and older. Not retired completely yet at 78.

Clive

[Involute CurveParticipant @involutecurve]

I have all the build articles from the other MAG, I have a copy of Les Warnett's Drawings in A0 format and I have an almost complete 3D model of the Engine, I went the 3D model route when I got into CNC and started this 3 model whilst convalescing after major surgery, I will finish this thing and when I've proven all the Gcode Ill probably put the 3D model and said code up for download! but don't hold your breath, its a rolling chassis with all the valve gear etc done………. but for now my bike projects take priority. so much to do and so little time…………

Shaun

[Robert Graham 1Participant @robertgraham1]

Wow, how timely this thread is and what a wealth of knowledge there is here. I'm not really surprised but am definitely happy to know there are others who are still around and have the info.

I believe I have a copy of the Martin Evans book as well but it too is still tucked away with the drawings(I hope!).

I just picked up some 1/8" or thicker copper sheet that I was wondering if I could roll into the tube I need and then silver solder one or two straps to the seam. I wasn't sure if that would be acceptable or not but if it is, this may be the best solution for me. I'm in no rush for any of this, just sort of starting to think about it all as the opportunity has presented itself for me to begin the undertaking.

Thanks for all of the great info.

Edited By Robert Graham 1 on 24/07/2015 20:47:07

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