Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

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Adirondack
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Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by Adirondack »

Hi folks. My oldest son gave me a copy of Bob Maynard's book on the CliShay for Father's Day, and after looking it over I came up with a few things I would "upgrade" for my own build. First, I would add a wider frame made of wood to give it more of a narrow gauge look. Second, and most importantly, I would add spoked drivers for a proper "period" feel.

So... I drew up a Climax-style spoked wheel and 3D printed a foundry pattern. The style of the wheel is based on a Climax drawing found in the Narrow Gauge Gazette, and the actual wheel dimensions are from the CliShay book. These should be a direct replacement for the solid wheels originally specified by Bob. If you can build the CliShay, you can most certainly perform this simple upgrade.

I don't have a solid handle on pricing at the moment, but they will be available in sets of 8 in the very near future. My online store is currently "broken", so please message me directly so I can invoice you via PayPal or Chase QuickPay for both of our protection. I figure a $100 deposit is fair, with the remainder being billed when they are ready to ship. I'm pretty sure they will fit in a USPS Priority Mail box to keep costs down.

Questions or comments, I'm all ears. Thanks!

Chris
Attachments
Example of spoked wheels.
Example of spoked wheels.
3D print
3D print
wheel face
wheel face
wheel rim
wheel rim
NG Gazette plan
NG Gazette plan
Adirondack Car & Foundry
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A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
bill4227
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by bill4227 »

If the wheel size is the same as in the book I would recommend that the diameter be increased to 5" which is what I did. Several who built the Clishay have a problem with the chain dragging when it stretches from use. Just my $0.02

Bill
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RussellCofIdaho
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by RussellCofIdaho »

Loved the CliShay build series and always wanted to build one for our 18” gauge line but it is gone now. Following any updates or upsized to the CliShay, love the bigger narrow gauge locos.
Russell Courtenay
Idaho - USA
unknownidaho.wordpress.com
Big trains and big dreams...
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Adirondack
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by Adirondack »

Russell, here's a 15" gauge version. Runs really well.

Chris

fifteen 15 inch gauge clishay.JPG
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
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A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
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RussellCofIdaho
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by RussellCofIdaho »

And a Great One it is. I don’t have funds or room for 18” anymore so designing the biggest things I can fit on 7 1/2”..
Russell Courtenay
Idaho - USA
unknownidaho.wordpress.com
Big trains and big dreams...
mblaisdell
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by mblaisdell »

Hello,
I was curious if you had the castings made? I was thinking about the same idea but was going to use aluminum with a steel tire. I figured a cast iron wheel still needs a tire so why pay the $$$ for cast iron? I would be interested in 8 if the price is right or if it helps you get a better price buying more.
Like your idea of cleaning up the Clishay to look better!
Thanks!
Mike
FKreider
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by FKreider »

mblaisdell wrote: Wed Aug 26, 2020 5:03 pm Hello,
I was curious if you had the castings made? I was thinking about the same idea but was going to use aluminum with a steel tire. I figured a cast iron wheel still needs a tire so why pay the $$$ for cast iron? I would be interested in 8 if the price is right or if it helps you get a better price buying more.
Like your idea of cleaning up the Clishay to look better!
Thanks!
Mike
Most builders turn their wheels from cast iron without any tire.

IF you are one of the relatively few live steamers who run their engine enough to wear groves in your wheels then at that point you would remove the axles and they can be turned down as an assembly and then tires could be installed.

There are many many live steam locomotives built 50-60+ years ago with cast iron wheels that are still fine today with no noticeable wear.
-Frank K.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by Bill Shields »

I would worry more about the aluminum wheel bore on the steel axle more than cast iron on the track.

As said...cast iron on the track is generally not a problem unless you happen to crack something in a derail...
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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Adirondack
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by Adirondack »

Hey folks. Today I received castings of a similar sized wheel, so I can now provide pricing for my spoked Clishay drivers. A full set of 8 wheels will be $100 plus $15 USPS Priority Mail shipping in the USA.

Feel free to message me directly, but I will add the item to my online store as soon as time permits.

Thanks!

Chris
Attachments
120723816_2838902193010928_6664400913351510870_o.jpg
120769012_2838902149677599_8205023035478259708_o.jpg
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/

A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
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NP317
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by NP317 »

Those are nice looking castings!
RussN
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Adirondack
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Re: Simple, good looking upgrade for your CliShay

Post by Adirondack »

NP317 wrote: Mon Oct 05, 2020 10:38 am Those are nice looking castings!
RussN
Thanks Russ.The boys at Cattail Foundry do a good job.

Chris
Adirondack Car & Foundry
Check out our projects: https://www.facebook.com/ADKrail/
Visit our ALL-NEW online store: https://adirondackcarfoundry.square.site/

A little locomotive with 4 wheels on the track is a lot more fun
than a 1/2 finished one with 16 wheels on the bench!
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