The Home Machinist!

Interesting article on ILBS about someone who built a 2.5” scale 0-4-0. Using weight plates as drivers with slices of steel pipe for tires. Utilizing tapper bushings to attach the plate to axels. http://ibls.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Wayne_Davis

Good point with the driver’s being separated and concealed, it would make it easer to laser cut them. The FP&V RR was an awesome accomplishment of what people dedicated to the hobby can achieve. Harlock did a great video on the story of the FP&V. Interestingly Peters dad built an 0-6-0. https://yout...

Ryan, as awesome as a 3” scale K36 would be, it would definitely weigh tons, break my back and bank! I believe that Tom Miller’s ex- 2.5” scale k36 weighed in at 2000lbs! In 2014 I had the opportunity to ride behind the C&T #489. I have a great fondness for the K-27s and C-19s also. However if I get...

In reality it would look more like a UP 0-6-0
With a slope back tender. The Rio Grande had at least 3 0-6-0s, but I haven’t found good photos of them yet.

Ryan keep your drawings handy! I'm needing a complete 12" gauge 0-6-0 frame, wheels, cylinders and side rods. While I like to stay true to prototypical railroad equipment, the past couple of years I've been toying with the idea of building an 0-6-0 outline based on "Smokey" from the Bill Pete childr...

Yes, Aluminum would be cheaper. If someone wanted them for looks, that would be the way to go. I could have a few sets cast in aluminum as well. The plan for my railroad is to haul people and pumpkins, so I was going for durability.

The 3" scale car wheels I'm using are 1-1/8" across the tread, 1/2" tall flange that tapers from 3/8" at the base to 1/4" at the outside edge. These are same wheels that Todd Swan has machined up for his 1/4" scale F Units to use with 12lb rail. Harlock, I really leaning towards casting them in 3.75...

Ryan, funny you should mention cutting drivers. Coming up with some 3" scale 9.5" diameter spoked drivers is one of the ideas I'm bouncing around for a 2-6-0 steam outline based on C&S #22. Saw where you and Glenn were discussing cutting drivers and it got me thinking, hmmmm! Problem is I don't have...

Ryan, after giving laser cut brake brake wheels some thought, even with the of ease of producing laser cut brake wheels, it’s still hard to beat that traditional casted narrow gauge look. Glenn, I will wait to make a build post until I actually get started. I did follow your flat car build and it wa...

No worries Glenn, One railroad would be the North View & Frisco The other would be WF&P. It made no sense to build in 9” gauge with those RR close by. As of now it’s all still in the planning stage and collecting up parts. Unfortunately live steam is out of reach for me ($$$). Everything will be scr...

I want to clarify a couple of things Glenn brought up. These castings are not for brake arms or brake shoes. They are for DRGW narrow gauge 16 inch diameter hand brake wheel, ratchet/pawl and lower stirrup. Like were used on DRGW highside gons and flats. I looking at casting them in either 3” scale ...

Looking into having patterns printed and bronze castings made in either 3” or 3.75” scale of D&RGW narrow gauge style 16” hand brake wheels, ratchet/pawl and a lower brake stirrup. Would there be any interest in one of these two scales or in purchasing some extra sets to help offset my costs? Just t...