Locomotion No. 1 – where to start ?

[Phil CatchesidesParticipant @philcatchesides15448]

[Phil CatchesidesParticipant @philcatchesides15448]

I have just bought a set of castings from Reeves for my next project but looking at the drawings it isn't clear where to start as there isn't a chassis as such. After only a couple of hours of thinking I think the boiler may be the right place, but has anybody made this model? I would love to hook up with a builder. Thanks, Phil

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

If you want to have a go at it, make sure you really understand the drawings, then look at my album.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by KWIL on 12/11/2015 10:15:47:

If you want to have a go at it, make sure you really understand the drawings, then look at my album.

I presume you are referring to the boiler with the many pads fixed inside? Not being familiar with the Locomotion design am I right to assume these are reinforcement so the boiler can serve as structural member not unlike a traction engine?

Some interesting pics there, BTW.

Neil

[Phil CatchesidesParticipant @philcatchesides15448]

Thanks both, like the pictures. Did you finish it to the point of steam? I must admit I hate doing boilers so pay somebody to do it but despite his experience of over 500 boilers he hasn't done Locomotion, yet! Looking more like starting with the boiler and cradles, bushes etc

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

Neil,

Yes the boiler is structural and the the thick pads are necessary to enable fittings to be screwed into the boiler wall without affecting the integrity. Cradles are riveted and silver soldered. Those are but a small example of of photos (various projects) and were largely posted in reply to others. Thanks.

Phil,

Yes start with the boiler but at the same time you can make piece parts as a little light relief (and also all the jigs you will need. The boiler is best jigged as well otherwise you will loose the ability to hold the dimensions. The alignment of the bushes is critical. I held centres to better than 0.001". Avoid use of comsol at all costs!

Naturally there are errors on the drawings and I will suggest where when you have absorbed what you must achieve.

Pressure tested to 2x and still doing the final making and assembly. Tender is an interesting woodworking project on its own.

K

Edited By KWIL on 13/11/2015 11:34:23

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

This is the only project I ever started and didnt finish. I like making boilers, but not this one! Infact the part completed boiler is now an orniment in the garden on the way to the workshop. i did enquire about a commercial build but was quoted very silly money, seems no one is over keen on this one. i have also heard said that they are little more than an orniment when built, but then the real life version wasnt the best ever! Good luck and I would love to see a build thread for this project. If I did revisit this one I would definately make the shell from steel.

[oldveloParticipant @oldvelo]

Hi

Being a expat "Geordie" there are a couple of full size Locomotion No 1s are at "Beamish Museum" this is a full scale working replica.

The other is the original machine and Is at "Shildon Railway Museum" near Darlington.

Eric

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Posted by oldvelo on 13/11/2015 17:49:55:

Hi

Being a expat "Geordie" there are a couple of full size Locomotion No 1s are at "Beamish Museum" this is a full scale working replica.

The other is the original machine and Is at "Shildon Railway Museum" near Darlington.

Eric

There used to be an ancient Locomotive on one of the platforms at Bank Top Station, any connection?

Not been on there for donkeys years, so this got me wondering about that.

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

The one at Top Bank was the one that is in the Darlington Museum at North Road Station.

Beamish Open Air Museum one is a working replica.

Both 12" to the Foot scale!!

 

Model boiler is not for the faint hearted due to the complexity and necessity to keep all tolerances tight. I am not surprised a commercial boiler maker will either not be interested or charge a high price, it is very much a hands on build.

There is a working one at Chelmsford Club I believe.

Edited By KWIL on 13/11/2015 19:27:24

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

KWIL what happens to all those tight tollerances when the boiler heats up and expands? I know on the traction engines the valve rod lengths are set for when the boiler is hot but how do you deal with the whole motion being moved apart.

J

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

J,

It all gets a little tight! The tight tolerances are used to ensure squareness and and even set up side to side.

Expansion in the vertical is not such a problem as the cylinder travel is in the same plane, horizontally the upper X frame will be colder and must flex, the top spreader has curved ends, I guess the real problem area is the wheel coupling rods and remains to be seen. Hopefully not by sloppy fitted bearing brasses, but maybe by larger clearances on the axle bearing blocks starting from a close fitted situation.

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