The Home Machinist!

The following information was given to me some years ago. It should help get you in the ballpark. HEATING SURFACE ref. ASME Section I, 1971; paraphrased The number and size of safety valves needed is determined on the basis of the pounds of steam generated per hour per square foot of heating surface...

Looking great Chris! I am glad you are making progress and are able to be working again in the shop!

I know most of you don't care for or like Facebook, But if you search for Black Hills Designs, he makes laser engraved plates that are freaking gorgeous! his website is kirkwelding.biz. I didn't see any info on there about the plates after a quick glance, but that is the website he has listed on FB....

Rod engines can be tough, but try to move a Shay by hand! That will wear you out if there is any significant distance to cover!

I try to keep the reverser in the direction of travel, cyl. cocks open etc. makes it much easier.

Could you fashion some modification to a phono plug so that it has an index to keep it upright? That way the whole lamp just plugs in. It won't fall out because of the design of the plug, but keeping it from twisting would be the challenge.

I will second the scissors. I have had to help make gaskets for a steam chest on a run day out of a latex glove box and needed them! was a real pain to do with a box knife and drill bits, but we got-r-done and played trains! I have a blade from an old flat head screwdriver that once had a wooden han...

Often times keystock is plated as well, so that is another thing to look out for. I used 1/4 x 1/2" HRS for my 10-Wheeler and used the stock Allen Models cast bronze crossheads and have no problems after 7 years of running. Sure was nice not having to do much machining on those parts! This should h...

Often times keystock is plated as well, so that is another thing to look out for. I used 1/4 x 1/2" HRS for my 10-Wheeler and used the stock Allen Models cast bronze crossheads and have no problems after 7 years of running. Sure was nice not having to do much machining on those parts!

I formed the slides on mine during construction as opposed to adding angle like Marty suggests, but do you have room to get in there with a couple of rivets or screws & nuts to add the slides to the front hopper as well using some small angle? Once you can open both front and rear hopper with one mo...

Watch more of his videos. He drills the lock on the hitch and has it open in less than 30sec. I feel like I have seen a similar hitch cover with that style lock, but has more hardened steel that protects the lock itself. Bottom line is that if they want to steal it, they will. A friend had 2 enclose...

Chris! Wow. That is great! It will be a little sad to cover that with paint! Great work! Looking forward to seeing you in the next few months!
Peter

Couldn't you just build it with a gear on one of the axles between the rail wheels and have the chassis sit/bolt down so that gear would mesh with the rubber tired frame? Simply unbolt 4 bolts and lift off the frame and place on the rails. Perhaps even the same gear that comes off the engine drive?