The Home Machinist!

Moving forward, I decided to work on the firebox wrapper side sheets. I created a simple rivet pattern jig on the mill, and used it to lay out the copper head rivets along the edges. I believe 3/32 sized pop rivets were used for the hollow stay bolts and 2-56 acorn nuts for the flexible stay bolts. ...

IMG_8101.JPG Fits like a glove! IMG_2640.jpg Unfortunately, the backhead made from Jacks Atlantic form didn't quite fit for my application. IMG_8099.JPG I decided to cut it down to size by slicing it in half, cutting off the edges, then filing down the center until it fit and finally silver solderi...

I had hoped to start at the front of the locomotive and work backward, but I realized certain detail elements must be in place before I could go much further. In this case, I knew I wanted a detailed firebox wrapper, throat sheet and a backhead cover for the boiler. Speaking to a few modelers, I fig...

Looking for a top mount bell for my 1.5” LE Atlantic similar to the photo below. Would appreciate any info to assist in my search.

Busier than ever with work this summer but still trying to make progress when I can. IMG_1140.jpg First up was the booster exhaust pipe. Laying out the smokebox details was essential to figuring out placement as the prototype's exhaust appears to be recessed into the side of the smokebox, I'm assumi...

Any update on the next run for the 200psi version?

Front end work coming along nicely. Your soldering is superb. Thanks but that photo was taken before silver soldering! I marked and laid out the fittings how I wanted then let my friend David Lazarus take over the silver soldering as his background in HVAC made quick work of the job. Lots of odds a...

214392214_10225861044451385_2155809647557171896_n.jpg Smokebox plumbing is coming along nicely with larger 1/2" ID fittings and the 850 degree high temp valve from Swagelok mounted at a 45 degree angle to prevent lockups. I plan to attach lubricator lines before and after the valve. Also fabbe...

Great find! Atlantic’s are my favorite engine. This one looks like a museum piece! Very interested in the diameter of your boiler and how the original builder configured your front end. Any photos of the blast pipe? If you have a traditional single pipe blast nozzle, a worthwhile upgrade might be t...

Here's me and the 2-4-0 modeling for Allen Models at LALS I sold this loco a few years ago to help finance my new locomotive project and regret that decision every day. Photo by Mike Massee

Dave Bortz, Mike Venezia, and Brian Keim all sell them I believe.

I've had good luck with smokebox detail parts through https://californialocomotive.com and classification lamps from http://railroadsupply.com