The Home Machinist!

Thank you for posting the video. Ironically I've also managed to acquire 2 of those blue riding cars Harry is pulling in this video. They still remain in original condition exactly like you see them in this video.

THIS is SCARY!

The scary part is that someone could neglect their boiler this long and not even realize it. I'd be rethinking my boiler treatment plan if I found my boiler looking this bad.

I grew up with loco boilers, full-size and model, and was taught never to allow oil or grease into the boiler. The reasoning was that it coated the plates reducing heat transfer and thus causing overheating of the plate and eventual failure. Whether this full-size practice is directly applicable to...

I have a question for you Marty and others that are in the "know" TDS and keeping them suspended is a big one. that one is easy, my question comes to PH, our boilers are normally only wet a few years our of the year, how much does that play into the over all plan? full size boilers are of...

I have gotten very good service from Otto Gas Engine Works. He has alot of the standard sizes in stock but will also make custom rings.

Otto Gas Engine Works
2167 Blue Ball Rd
Elkton MD 21921-3330
phone: 410-398-7340
E-mail:otto@ringspacers.com

In my experience I have found bronze bearings to survive best when greased on hardened pins or axles. Some of the cars I pull regularly were originally built by Bruce Achor back in the 50's. They have greased bronze bearing on the trucks and,to the best of my knowledge, are still the original bearin...

Steam in the snow is just another way to enjoy one of the values of model railroading in the prototype fashion. The only trouble is draining the steamer completely, and making certain she stays well above 32F when not being fired. Unfortunately our equipment storage isn't heated, and to be quite ho...

im not a mean person by any means, but I take operation of a steam locomotive very seriously. I don't joke around. I would whole heartedly agree. Those were also the same points that were stressed to me as a kid some 30+ years ago. I don't know agout anyone else but I don't want to have to invest t...

i have been using clutch liner material on my brake shoes and have found it to work great. Its available at mcmaster carr.

The only purpose for us self dispatching the railroad at that time was simply to verify that the railroad could be opperated point to point. As you can read there are individuals that are still convinced that it can't be done. I don't choose to make statements of fact unless I know for sure that the...

I was faced with this same dilemma a few years back. The local companies( one was a 2 hour drive and the other a 5 hour drive) were becomming more and more difficult to get Pocahontas coal from, so I started doing some investigating. I found a company in Virginia that offered dilivery of a truck loa...

I would have to to agree with Ray. I dont know exactly how big your engine is but even if you can only get an 1/8" pipe plug in it. Something is better than nothing. I have a few of them that small. I might also suggest getting a ph tester of some type, they have them at McMaster carr. The well...