Figured it was about time to start this build thread. Have lurked for years on this site. I have always wanted to build a 1 ½” scale PRR K4s locomotive. In recent years the availability of castings have discouraged me from beginning the project that I always knew I wanted to pursue. My father was a good friend with a tool and die maker from the Baltimore MD area Mr. Bob Baker. Bob built several of the Coventry ¾” scale models including a ¾” scale B&O President Washington & the PRR K4. I’m lucky that my father handed down to me several photographic negatives of his builds and it seems that Mr. Baker new Mr. Coventry well in the Baltimore live steam community.
In the last several months I noticed the threads established by Dan Horting of PA documenting his work developing and producing a PRR K4 cylinder casting. Dan graciously made available a set of the cylinder castings to me after some correspondence.
I have spent the last several months accumulating some drawings and castings; enough to convince me to start a K4s.
Many on this forum have provided me essential help in getting started including; Dan Horting, Andy Pullen (thanks for not giving up on me), Dave Moore, and Dave Sclavi. Dan, Dave have invited me to their home and to the tracks respectively and been extremely helpful in getting me pointed in the right direction. Andy has proven to be willing to answer every question I’ve had and am looking forward to meeting him as well.
Please be patient with my inexperience, and thank you for all of the knowledge I have gleaned from all of you.
Jim Peach, Hampstead MD.
K4S Build
Moderator: Harold_V
Re: K4S Build
Some more photos of the frame progress. I developed a cad model of the K4s frame and over sized it by .125". Yoder Industries of PA laser cut my frames to amazing accuracy. With the exception of a few instances, I have had to true the frames by removing remarkably the same amount from the critical dimensions.
Re: K4S Build
Pictures of the trailing truck support fabrication.
-
- Posts: 463
- Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 9:27 am
- Location: Newbury, OH
Re: K4S Build
Very nice work, Jim. You have chosen a most iconic locomotive to build. But you will find a lot of great help, as it seems you already have, lol.
Rob Gardner
Rob Gardner
Pedestal Binders
Fabricated and mounted the pedestal binders this weekend. Next they will receive locating pins.
Frames are always clamped flat to the table and parallel to the x axis via a long precision ground plate that is fitted into the rear tee slot.
Repeat-ability with higher tolerance work using this double clamping method has been excellent.
Frames are always clamped flat to the table and parallel to the x axis via a long precision ground plate that is fitted into the rear tee slot.
Repeat-ability with higher tolerance work using this double clamping method has been excellent.
Re: K4S Build
Pedestal binder work continues. Binders clamped tight with .005" shim stock. Found edges and subtracted .002" for 1/2 thickness of shims. Center drill, drill and ream to .312. Clean and de-burr frame and binders, insert dowel pins and re-clamp. On to the journal box fabrication.
-
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2018 9:23 am
Re: K4S Build
Have you made further progress on your K4? I am rebuilding one presently. Best regards, Tom