"Catherine", a USA "Sweet Pea" engine build
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:51 pm
This is a brief build log for my still-under-construction "Sweet Pea" steam locomotive. Designed by Jack Buckler in the late 1970s to run on 5" gauge track, it had proved so popular that it was soon converted to run on 3.5" track (known as "Sweet Violet") and 7.25" gauge track (known as "Sweet William"); a different take which visually looks like an 0-6-0 standard gauge tank engine has also been done (known as "Metre Maid"). For some reason, calling an engine "Sweet William" seems ackward so I may lapse and call it a "Sweet Pea" now and then.
During the winter of 2011 I was faced with a set of difficult choices. I had the flame cut frames for an Allen mogul waiting to begin work on, and a complete assembled Locoparts tender kit already finished which I had done in 2009, but no machine shop. I live in a small apartment, and whatever free space I have is devoted more to storage shelves then shop equipment. All machine work I had accomplished to date had been done at friends' houses- an arrangement which was somewhat inconvenient and certainly not conducive to the construction of a steam locomotive.
Also, while I really liked the appearance of the Allen mogul engine I wanted something that would be a bit more different, or unique. I have a passion for British steam engines, and narrow gauge ones in particular, and tried to feed that appetite by scratch-building some 16mm rolling stock to run on the local live steam club's outside Gauge-1 track. Still, it wasn't enough.
There is something to be said for narrow gauge trains running on 7.25" track. Actually, there is a lot to be said! Narrow gauge engines usually are simpler in design then standard gauge models, have fewer parts which are larger, and in many cases are smaller in length (if not larger in width and height). One winter while going through the live steam club's library, I came across the book by Jack Buckler and read it cover to cover. Several times, in fact, over that winter.
A nice discussion on this forum helped give me more information about the engine: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... =8&t=90228
By the next spring I was intrigued enough to order the full plans, which at only 7 sheets total was quite affordable. After some thoughtful discussions with my wife, in which she questioned me ("Honey, everyone else at the club has a steam engine; when will yours be finished?") I decided to take the plunge and begin construction of my own steam engine.
There were several critical reasons to select this engine as a first attempt. First, the book- though designed for 5" gauge- is similar to those written by Kozo Hiraoka in that it explained not only how to machine the parts but what fixtures and procedures can be done to achieve satisfactory results. This was a big boost. Second, the engine was a proven design with hundreds running about the world. (For an excellent write up in the magazine Live Steam & Outdoor Railroading, see their July/August 2010 issue.) Third, it was based on a British prototype engine which not only appealed to my senses but guaranteed that once completed it would stand out at the American live steam tracks. Fourth, its overall dimensions were such that I would not need to purchase a truck or large minivan to transport it around. And finally, the small number of parts would help keeps costs manageable.
Bagnall, the prototype engine manufacturer, made contractor's engines in standard gauge and almost every possible narrow-gauge configuration. I am planning to build it to represent a 27" prototype as might have been seen on the Welsh Talyllyn Railway, but an eye is cast towards a 36" prototype like the Isle of Man Railway. However, at this point it doesn't make a bit of difference.
My fundamental approach to the hobby is two fold: (1) if you don't have the necessary skills or tools to do something, there is always someone you can ask for help, and (2) if you don't get started NOW, you may never finish your engine! As such, when I started the project I only had one mill file and a hand-held drill. I have since acquired a small drill press and a lathe. Fifty years ago people were reading LBSC's articles and with not much more than I had building working steam locomotives. Who knows what I will have when done, but the most important step is to get started.
For now, it is tentatively named "Catherine" because that is a lady's name that my wife and I both like. Who knows... perhaps someday there may be two Catherines in our house?
Other known Sweet William Engines under construction
- there is another gentleman in New Zealand building a similar engine. (http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... 45&t=92038) If you see our two threads, I am sure there will be some cross-posting. While we are approaching it in different ways at times, I think both may prove interesting.
- in Australia: http://modeleng.proboards.com/thread/84 ... ild#page=1
- I am also aware of two engines in the USA. One was owned by forum member "Fred V" though only the chassis was a Sweet William, with a redesigned body. Also, Randy Ross owns one up in Michigan ((http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... ss#p283000). If anyone else is aware of any, I would love to hear about it!
During the winter of 2011 I was faced with a set of difficult choices. I had the flame cut frames for an Allen mogul waiting to begin work on, and a complete assembled Locoparts tender kit already finished which I had done in 2009, but no machine shop. I live in a small apartment, and whatever free space I have is devoted more to storage shelves then shop equipment. All machine work I had accomplished to date had been done at friends' houses- an arrangement which was somewhat inconvenient and certainly not conducive to the construction of a steam locomotive.
Also, while I really liked the appearance of the Allen mogul engine I wanted something that would be a bit more different, or unique. I have a passion for British steam engines, and narrow gauge ones in particular, and tried to feed that appetite by scratch-building some 16mm rolling stock to run on the local live steam club's outside Gauge-1 track. Still, it wasn't enough.
There is something to be said for narrow gauge trains running on 7.25" track. Actually, there is a lot to be said! Narrow gauge engines usually are simpler in design then standard gauge models, have fewer parts which are larger, and in many cases are smaller in length (if not larger in width and height). One winter while going through the live steam club's library, I came across the book by Jack Buckler and read it cover to cover. Several times, in fact, over that winter.
A nice discussion on this forum helped give me more information about the engine: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... =8&t=90228
By the next spring I was intrigued enough to order the full plans, which at only 7 sheets total was quite affordable. After some thoughtful discussions with my wife, in which she questioned me ("Honey, everyone else at the club has a steam engine; when will yours be finished?") I decided to take the plunge and begin construction of my own steam engine.
There were several critical reasons to select this engine as a first attempt. First, the book- though designed for 5" gauge- is similar to those written by Kozo Hiraoka in that it explained not only how to machine the parts but what fixtures and procedures can be done to achieve satisfactory results. This was a big boost. Second, the engine was a proven design with hundreds running about the world. (For an excellent write up in the magazine Live Steam & Outdoor Railroading, see their July/August 2010 issue.) Third, it was based on a British prototype engine which not only appealed to my senses but guaranteed that once completed it would stand out at the American live steam tracks. Fourth, its overall dimensions were such that I would not need to purchase a truck or large minivan to transport it around. And finally, the small number of parts would help keeps costs manageable.
Bagnall, the prototype engine manufacturer, made contractor's engines in standard gauge and almost every possible narrow-gauge configuration. I am planning to build it to represent a 27" prototype as might have been seen on the Welsh Talyllyn Railway, but an eye is cast towards a 36" prototype like the Isle of Man Railway. However, at this point it doesn't make a bit of difference.
My fundamental approach to the hobby is two fold: (1) if you don't have the necessary skills or tools to do something, there is always someone you can ask for help, and (2) if you don't get started NOW, you may never finish your engine! As such, when I started the project I only had one mill file and a hand-held drill. I have since acquired a small drill press and a lathe. Fifty years ago people were reading LBSC's articles and with not much more than I had building working steam locomotives. Who knows what I will have when done, but the most important step is to get started.
For now, it is tentatively named "Catherine" because that is a lady's name that my wife and I both like. Who knows... perhaps someday there may be two Catherines in our house?
Other known Sweet William Engines under construction
- there is another gentleman in New Zealand building a similar engine. (http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... 45&t=92038) If you see our two threads, I am sure there will be some cross-posting. While we are approaching it in different ways at times, I think both may prove interesting.
- in Australia: http://modeleng.proboards.com/thread/84 ... ild#page=1
- I am also aware of two engines in the USA. One was owned by forum member "Fred V" though only the chassis was a Sweet William, with a redesigned body. Also, Randy Ross owns one up in Michigan ((http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... ss#p283000). If anyone else is aware of any, I would love to hear about it!