Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
Moderator: Harold_V
Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
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!
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Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
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
Rob
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Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
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
Rob
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Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
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.
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.
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Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
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
Rob
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Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
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
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
Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
Very nice, Rob! Thanks for the nice report and the great pictures.
H
H
Wise people talk because they have something to say. Fools talk because they have to say something.
- neanderman
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Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
Beautiful! Nice work!
Ed
LeBlond Dual Drive, 15x30
US-Burke Millrite MVI
Atlas 618
Files, snips and cold chisels
Proud denizen of the former "Machine Tool Capitol of the World"
LeBlond Dual Drive, 15x30
US-Burke Millrite MVI
Atlas 618
Files, snips and cold chisels
Proud denizen of the former "Machine Tool Capitol of the World"
Re: Regauging a 7 1/4" Minnie Project
Good to see it back steaming. Lots of work for you to get to this point.
Thanks for sharing.
~RN
Thanks for sharing.
~RN