Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

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Twombo
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 2:42 pm

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by Twombo »

That balloon stack looks like the one osed with the 7.5” gauge Marie Estelle designed by Don Young. Sold by Reeves and not too dear in price. Got one headed my way!
10 Wheeler Rob
Posts: 1546
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:44 pm
Location: East Hartford, CT

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by 10 Wheeler Rob »

Have not posted in a while, but have been busy in the work shop, finished all the piping both engine and tender. Disassembled the piping and removed the boiler. Moved everything to the garage from the basement work shop for painting and final assembly. Tender painted, locomotive in progress. Pictures in a few days.

Rob
10 Wheeler Rob
Posts: 1546
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:44 pm
Location: East Hartford, CT

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by 10 Wheeler Rob »

Here are the finished pics. I decided to go with maroon red and black, and leave the stainless ateel boiler jacket and aluminum stack in finisheb.

Rob
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10 Wheeler Rob
Posts: 1546
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:44 pm
Location: East Hartford, CT

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by 10 Wheeler Rob »

More pics.
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Pontiacguy1
Posts: 1566
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:15 am
Location: Tennessee, USA

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by Pontiacguy1 »

Very Nice!

Tell me something please... is that 2-4-0 tail-end heavy, did it naturally balance well, or did you need to add weight to the front end? I'm working on a narrow gauge 2-4-0 for someone, and the way it's configured, I believe that I will need to add weight to the front to make it more balanced.
10 Wheeler Rob
Posts: 1546
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:44 pm
Location: East Hartford, CT

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by 10 Wheeler Rob »

It's a 2-4-2. The trailing wheels do not show up in the photos due to the width of the 2 1/2" scale cab. And yes it definitely needs the trailing wheels for balance. It would be a rocking horse with out them.

Rob
10 Wheeler Rob
Posts: 1546
Joined: Tue Mar 21, 2006 2:44 pm
Location: East Hartford, CT

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by 10 Wheeler Rob »

The Minnie made the trip down to Florida from Connecticut in the back of my Dodge Grand Caravan. It passed hydro and was steamed for the first time last Saturday. Adjusted the safeties and set out on the track at Ridge Live Steamers. Ran in forward gear with a slight pulsating squeak. Upon switching to reverse the engine locked up. Could only move it little less than revolution of the drivers, so dropped the fire and after cooling down some it was still stuck. During a tow back to the steaming bay it freed up.

On Sunday A.M. upon further inspection a rub spot in the paint on the front driver axle pivot beam was apparent where the axle pump eccentric had struck the beam. I new clearance was close, but apparently the beam shifts position in reverse which had caused the jam up.

Took the eccentric strap off and removed some material to give more clearance. Fired it up in the P.M. and ran a full loop around the track without any more issues, except for needing to adjust safeties some more and trying to get the whistle to give a decent tone. Still needs more running in reverse to make sure all is well.

The Eccentric Engineer injector worked great The engine fired well on 50/50 mix of soft and hard coal. Hand brake system on loco worked well. Steam vacuum educator powered the tender brakes good. The unsprung drivers makes for some what of clunky ride when going over rough track and switches, but it tracked fine with no derailing issues.

So I think I am good to go for this weekend's meet at Ridge Live Steamers.

Pic on the steaming bay firing up Sunday.

Rob
Attachments
Minnie steaming up for the second time.
Minnie steaming up for the second time.
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Harold_V
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Joined: Fri Dec 20, 2002 11:02 pm
Location: Onalaska, WA USA

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by Harold_V »

Very nice, Rob! Thanks for the nice report and the great pictures.

H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
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neanderman
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Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 7:15 pm
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by neanderman »

Beautiful! Nice work!
Ed

LeBlond Dual Drive, 15x30
US-Burke Millrite MVI
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NP317
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Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:57 pm
Location: Northern Oregon, USA

Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project

Post by NP317 »

Good to see it back steaming. Lots of work for you to get to this point.
Thanks for sharing.
~RN
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