“It” comes to life again

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Posted by Chris_C on 18/01/2018 13:06:47:

Hi Dean,

I'm not used to Fusion, but use Inventor. If they are anything like similar, if you keep number of components in an assembly low, but use more nested assemblies, you make life easier for the program. I'll keep the links as text so as not to disturb your thread.

I have Stephensons working (2 versions in my case, as two authors have had a go, with reverser position and suspension height adjustable) and whilst the version in this video (**LINK**) doesn't have a huge number of components the assembly is now as per this photo (**LINK**) and it still runs fine. I do render the animations rather than run them in real time though, I wonder if that makes the difference?

For what its worth, my assembly tree (not sure of how that should be named) is roughly

• Main Assembly
  • Frames with cylinders. tanks, bunker, smokebox
  • Axle
  • Crank axle
  • Pisons, rods, big ends
  • Valve assembly

That way, the program only has to deal with a few components during the animation phase, even if underneath the individual assemblies are complicated in themselves.

Really enjoying this and your previous locos, all the best!

Your work is amazing sir, I am not worthy!
I am going to try what you mentioned though about a rendered animation, if I can avoid having to deal with the fuss of trying to render this thing in real time it would certainly be ideal.

[John OlsenParticipant @johnolsen79199]

To expand a little on the comments about British and American practice above, America needed to build track over large distances, which limited the amount that could be spent on each mile of track. So they put more into the design of the suspension. Most American locos had compensated springing, so could run over track that was relatively poorly aligned. This is also why much of their rolling stock used bogies when the British stuck with four wheel wagons. They spent more on the locomotives so that they could get away with spending less on the track.

Also, in the early days, most American locos were burning wood. This is much cleaner stuff to burn than coal, so hence they could have colourful paint schemes and lots of brass. In later days when they started to burn coal, they gave up on colourful paint and were mostly black, either because they were painted that way, or because that is the colour they go when you burn coal.

I rather like the American style of locos from the early days, partly because they are so colourful, and partly because the works are out where you can see them. If you are going to hide all the works inside, it might as well be Diesel, or even electric.

Anyway, to get back on topic, Dean, I think you are doing a great job. I have fiddled with 3D design programs enough to know that this is not trivial stuff.

John

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I decided to make one last video of this critter in action- after this it's all stationary parts.
The mechanical lubricator as described in the article series for this locomotive was very contradictory- and the scant advise on where it was meant to be attached to this locomotive was of little help either.

Still, I made do.
The mechanical lubricator does move a bit faster than it should, mostly because I was unable to slow it down with out there being errors. I will be taking a break from Ivy Hall for a bit, perhaps to work on the absolute last design that Curly ever put out there for us to all see.

Thank you for following my work!
All the best,
-Dean

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I've decided to take a little pause from Ivy Hall, since the boiler is going to possibly cause some hair loss on this one. During this time, I started working on another one of Curly's toys, curiously it would be the very last article that he would ever publish that the design appeared in.

Thanks to my friend in Australia we'll call the "Aussie Guru" I have almost all of the information that I need to start on Zoe, which is the locomotive I am rather looking forward to at the moment. Due to limited space I have a feeling that could be the first Curly Lawrence locomotive I end up building, in gauge 1, and trying to actually ride behind it- thankfully I am not a large person.

I must admit I am also looking forward to Miss Therm, which I have acquired a lot of information on now that I have purchased quite a few magazines from the 30s.

All the best,
-Dean

PS: If anyone has old issues of Model Engineer (pre-1940) and English Mechanics (again, pre-1940) that they would like to sell, let me know!

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Still watching with interest Dean. Keep up the good work.

Dave

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I want to apologize for being a bit late on this post- at the same time I do need a break from drafting every once in a while.

In order to accomplish this project I have had to purchase a lot of older issues of Model Engineer (the ones I have focused on mostly at present are the 1930s) and of course, sort through them. The good news is that I have all the information on one of the locomotives I was rather looking forward to drafting, Miss Therm. The bad news is that I am only roughly a quarter of the way through having all the magazines from this era.

Curiously, this little stationary engine has made me think a lot more than I am accustomed to sometimes when I draft- often I put my brain in low power mode and simply draw what the magazine has printed, then make sure it's correct. Simple, but with this little beast the problem rests in what it is- a junk drawer build. The throttle (in bronze on top of the boiler) is actually a drain cock off of Ivy Hall, the engine itself is strikingly similar to a mechanical lubricator- right down to sharing a lot of parts with one.

Now a problem I have found that I have is that I need a design for a "standard" safety valve that I can rescale as needs require, until I have that I am afraid that I am going to have to omit the safety valve on designs that do not have a particular one called for. I may even draw a "proxy" safety valve and call for one that simply meets the requirements of the boiler with the threads called for. Same applies to whistles, however, with back head fittings I feel that there are enough out there to cover my needs in that department with out issue.

Until next time- all the best!
-Dean da Silva

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

It's that time again I am afraid!
I have finished the little steam plant up for the most part, the last little blobs and bits remaining are really not that noteworthy. After this it will be right back to Ivy Hall.
Oddly, the design for the safety valve that I was missing was staring me right in the face, so it is safe to say it shall be making an appearance again on some of the other designs of Curly's which lacks them- and it is fitting for.

Lately I have taken it a bit easy on the drafting, I am going to have to slow down a bit more I am afraid, since I have a client that I do need to tend to better. A fair amount of his work really is vintage style American locomotives, however, when the smaller scales come up that I would post about. Chiefly, a 2.5" gauge/3.5" gauge Northern (4-8-4) that is easily the size of a 5" gauge British locomotive.

I've decided not to do the Duchess of Swindon drafts, instead, I am going to take the challenge of redrafting Pansy for 2.5" gauge. The National 2.5" Gauge Association is after all receiving 24 of the designs that I am drafting when I am done with them, since they are missing designs that happen to either be 2.5" gauge or have a 2.5" gauge version.

If you have enjoyed seeing even this little copper can coming to life, please let me know. I don't think that it was very popular compared to Ivy Hall. It's certainly not as interesting as say, Stanleyette.

Heaven help me when it's time for Minx and the requested bit, Caterpillar.

All the best,
-Dean da Silva

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I found some photos of the original Caterpillar.

It got 'restored' but I prefer it in the original condition.

Neil

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 26/01/2018 10:43:56:

I found some photos of the original Caterpillar.

It got 'restored' but I prefer it in the original condition.

Neil

That is a face only a mother could love, and even then not look at it directly.
All the same, it's magnificent in its own right

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I was not ready for this.

That boiler is physically hurting my brain.

That's all for now!

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

"It won't be that bad"
"I feel confident in myself drafting this boiler!"

All lies.
This boiler has been one of the most bizarre, strange, and otherwise frustrating parts I have drawn in a long time. The throat sheet isn't correct, I'm well aware of that. I'm going to have to take my time to a great deal on this one- and even then I am not all that sure the drawings and the article even mesh together correctly.

Be gentle, it looks horrible.

To cleanse one's pallet after enduring that horrible work, here is something that has been in the works for a while in the US, a Dreyfus Hudson. My friend/client/fellow service veteran Jesse Banning did a fair deal of the work on it, while another fellow by the name of Jack is finishing it up.

I was so completely dumbfounded by this locomotive I stared at it much in the same way my dog stares at any small scrap of food that falls onto the floor.

Now, if anyone fancies American prototypes I shall be drafting some of those once Ivy is done. The good news is they are smaller gauges (2 1/2" and 3 1/2" gauges) and shall be sold once more on the American market by my client. In fact, I am even keen to building one in 3 1/2" gauge, particularly the 4-8-4.

Finally, the latest bit of fortune to fall my way has been successfully acquiring the information I need to draft two more locomotives, both 2.5" gauge, Miss Therm (narrow gauge 0-6-0T) and Victoria (Southern 0-4-4T) from a kind donor and eBay respectively.

Thank you all, until next time!
-Dean da Silva

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

It looks like it's that time again!

I hope that everyone enjoyed the Hudson!
Curiously enough, if you fancy Curly and you like the Dreyfus Hudson, it would happen to be a locomotive that Curly modeled twice, the first time as Judy, the second time as Josie.

Now, regarding that boiler that I have been working on….

I have never done a piece that frustrated me so entirely much as this boiler.
But I have learned a lot from it, so I think it's safe to say that it is worth the pursuit for certain. The drawings that were in Model Engineer for this boiler were… less than ideal to say the least. I have had to do a certain degree of "feeling it out" and the like to arrive at the point it's at right now. When it comes time to do prints for this locomotive I have a feeling that I will have to pay someone much more skilled with boilers than I to give this one the once over.

Curious, what would constitute gauge III as opposed to 2 1/2" gauge proper?
Being designed to pull a passenger? I realize that they both are technically the same gauge/scale, however I have wondered what distinction there is to be made.

I have some non-LBSC work coming up, including what I hope would be one of the most exciting projects I will ever undertake in drafting. It's not even remotely a British locomotive or designed by a British model engineer, however, if it goes as I am hoping it would all go, it would literally be the reviving of an old design from drafting the parts in the computer all the way to the point of building a locomotive. Until next time!

Best regards,
-Dean da Silva

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Gauge 3 is pretty much the 'big end' of model railways. Although they happily use live steam it's about running scale model standard gauge trains.

2 1/2" gauge is the 'little end' of live steam passenger (or at least driver) hauling (so can include narrow gauge etc.)

So in practice there isn't really a distinction in the appearance or capabilities of the locos (although Gauge 3 locos are more likely to be remote controlled), rather in what they haul and how they are used.

There's no reason why the same loco can't be used in both contexts if it has the capabilities.

Neil

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I regret to inform you all that there wont be a render for today's update.

I'll make sure that the boiler is coming along better for the next one.
I am not exactly 100% happy with how the wrapper around the firebox turned out, and putting the stay bolts in this thing will turn into a nightmare very quickly if I do not devise a way to handle this properly.

Once this boiler has been completed there will be much rejoicing!

I've spoken to my friend/client about the idea involving the small scales write up, following the whole thing from a short back story to the completion of the final model and perhaps if all goes well, one of us (likely me, since I have family in Portugal I haven't seen in 10 years) bringing one to the UK for a steam event.
He's keen on the whole idea, I may end up dying in the process- at least I will do my best to keep the whole matter entertaining.

He actually caught the 2.5" gauge bug and has slowly began spreading it to me!

Until next time, best regards,

-Dean

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

'tis time again for some renderings!

I've gone and started putting in the larger stays, which so far have been a bit of fun in their own right.
As far as the smaller stays? Well…those come next.

I did forget the seventh stay, I noticed that after I made all the pretty pictures.

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I finished the boiler.

Mocked up the locomotive.

Attached the boiler, and voila!
A locomotive is really beginning to take shape.

It looks sort of like a strange hybrid between a King class and a Hall class, frankly, with the regular Lifford Hall effects it would look rather fetching as a free lance GWR locomotive.

To date, this has to be the most complex boiler I have ever drafted. It was a challenge in its own right, I am happy to have done this monster in CAD, it has taught me a lot about irregular shapes, lofts, and copper boilers.

Until next time, best regards,

-Dean da Silva

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

I'm pleased to report that Ivy Hall is beginning to look like a British locomotive proper, I think that it's a combination of the chimney and the smoke box door that really make that apparent- rather the styling of those two parts.

I must admit, this really could be a pretty locomotive if it were not for the awful, horrid running boards that are in store for it.

Of course, underneath it all, this is a very complete drawing of this locomotive, I am not skipping any parts at all to save time.

I am roughly 13/14 articles away from completing Ivy Hall- which has been a rewarding challenge for me in its own right. I'm really looking forward to seeing this one completed though!

There are hints through out this whole process that Curly may have actually designed Lifford Hall (I refuse to call it Lickham hall thanks to this little voice in my head saying that name as un-British like as possible) such as how the reverser is located et al, but those were minor errors I worked through.

Until next time, best regards,
-Dean da Silva

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

It's that time again!

I went off the beaten course that I am supposed to follow to experiment with something, the new running boards. I really did want to make this locomotive look more like a BR locomotive- even though I find BR locomotives to be wholly unattractive save for Britannia and Evening Star, I gave Ivy Hall the old college try.

First though, here is the start on the back head.

Now for the ugly-as-sin original:

But now, what I have been so eager to have my hand at, the improved version!

Of course, it's worth noting that both of these still need some refinement, but I think that the revised version (which I have named Thompson Hall in honor of my late grandfather, whom inspired me to want to learn machining and drafting when I was a child) does look leaps and bounds better. I have debated putting on the elephant ears like Britannia has, but I'll try that one later.

I confess, this locomotive does have a really striking resemblance to the class 5, and when I rectify the situation with the front cover over the lubricator I can't say that there would be all that much of a difference really- save for the valve gear and a heftier boiler. Still, I think that in its own way it does look a lot better than the original.

Please, your opinions on this locomotive are most valued.

In other news, the less artistic and more archival side of the project is coming along well, my study is starting to fill with file boxes (I have the copies of ME that I own in sequential order, sorted by year and the lot) of old copies of ME that I have purchased.

If anyone is willing to sell me/donate copies of ME or English Mechanics, it would be greatly appreciated. For some reason English Mechanics from the Curly years seems to be hard to track down.

Until next time, best regards,
-Dean da Silva

[Martin WParticipant @martinw]

Hi

The revised design, Thompson Hall, looks much better. I don't know why but the original design somehow reminded me of a snow plough; maybe my brain cell/s are just wired that way. All that said I am amazed at the amount of work you are doing regarding these designs.

Cheers

Martin

[TomfileryParticipant @tomfilery]

Dean,

I agree with Martin W – your rework looks much better.

I'm not sure about the gap between the top of the frame and the underside running board though – it looks odd to me.

Please keep up your fantastic work.

Regards Tom

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Martin,

thank you so much for your kind words. You are right, Ivy Hall in its original form does resemble a snow plough and a British locomotive's terrible offspring. When I first started seeing the outline of this locomotive coming together I noticed right off the bat that this had huge potential as a BR locomotive to look much more attractive. Granted, this will remain a work in progress for some time- I need to find the articles for the BR 75000 that Curly designed to really finish this off the way that I had intended to. I'm glad that you enjoy my work sir, thank you!

Regards,
-Dean

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Tom,

Thank you sir, I am glad that you enjoy my work as well
I will look into the gap between the frame and the running boards, I don't believe that it's really a mistake per-se, but it does look more pronounced since I have not put on the valences that go along the sides yet.
This is really only the beginning, any LBSC locomotive I cannot find drawings for will end up being drafted, and I'll post them up for folks to see naturally. My intent is to at least clear out the large scale, more complicated fair first before diving into the less complicated (but more enjoyable) small scales.

Regards,
-Dean

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

On a few side notes, here is the ever expanding, all consuming collection of old ME magazines I have!

Which are all neatly organized in hanging folders, sorted by year in chronological order. Who ever said being in the service doesn't make people more organized was WRONG, I have certainly become a prudent person with organization in some respects.

For anyone that has FaceBook, I do have a page set up on there which I should have mentioned before.
>**LINK**

Someday, when I finish up this Curly mess, I hope to return to this beast. This is a Kozo Hiraoka K-27, his magnificent final locomotive serial that he is doing for Live Steam magazine. Truly one of the greatest live steam designers of this era, it's a shame that this is the last from him- but the work he has done is truly the stuff of legends.

Best regards,
-Dean

Edited By Dean da Silva on 10/02/2018 06:32:39

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Great stuff Dean – keep up the good work!

I have the Kozo books and whilst I will never build any of his engines, I do find them inspirational. His illustrations are remarkable and I also use some of his ideas/methods too. When you think he learned English in order to write his original articles – he is a very extraordinary man.

Yes, Gauge '3' is different from ' 2.5" Gauge ' – we don't passenger haul (cruelty to small steam engines?) and spend a good deal of time building scale rolling stock as well as locos. Whereas the National 2.5" Association runs its Rallys at ME Societies, we have Garden Get-Togethers and Exhibition layouts to run on.

You will see designs by LBSC, Martin Evans & Don Young running but the trend these days is towards more true scale engines – especially with the arrival of Chinese built G3 locomotives like this Class 4MT (seen at the West Midlands Show – sorry it's a bit dark – but had to turn flash off because of the glass case..)…

Of course, there are also many scale G3 battery electric locos around too – I've helped to design one myself…a small 100HP Sentinel — and the CAD took me much longer than it seems to take you! I drew the original engine full size (from prototype GA drawings) and then scaled it down at 1:22.6.

He's (his name is Arthur!) about the same size as a 16mm loco and being an 0-4-0 is usable on very tight curves. One day I might just get around to designing a small G3 live steam engine, using much the same approach as most 16mm locos but obviously to a standard gauge prototype…

I have a few pre-1940's MEs somewhere – anything you are particularly looking for?

Regards,

IanT

[Dean da SilvaParticipant @deandasilva59410]

Ian,

I have considered separating the LBSC designs that I have between the coal fired 2.5" gauge ones and the spirit fired gauge III designs, I figure that it would be a worth while differentiation to make.

You did an exquisite job on that little diesel sir! While I am not the biggest fan of diesels-I have good reason (in the hobby of miniature railroading in the US they are VERY abused, there are far too many over here, more than there are steam locomotives) but you certainly have made one that strikes my fancy quite well!

Curiously, a friend of mine who helped me gain my footing in the hobby of live steam has actually had the honor of meeting Mr. Hiraoka in person.

In true, overly organized fashion I have a list of the issues that I am missing at present.
I have some coming in the mail from eBay, but I will let you know sir! Thank you!

Best regards,
-Dean da Silva

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