Search found 237 matches

by ChuckHackett-844
Wed Apr 17, 2024 7:58 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Looking for Signal Castings
Replies: 2
Views: 153

Re: Looking for Signal Castings

Dick - with all the casting you have been doing I thought you would jump at the chance! :D
by ChuckHackett-844
Wed Apr 17, 2024 10:20 am
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Looking for Signal Castings
Replies: 2
Views: 153

Looking for Signal Castings

Too many times in this hobby we reinvent the wheel ... I am working on a project that needs 2.5" scale signals. I have developed a NYC Tri-Light with 1.5" lens openings based on NYC drawings. I'll be scaling a 5-inch mast which scales to 1" OD aluminum tube. We can develop all these b...
by ChuckHackett-844
Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:56 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: methanol burner
Replies: 16
Views: 411

Re: methanol burner

A thought on keeping a constant fuel supply as the tank level drops ... Perhaps you could use a float-valve from a carburetor to keep the 'tank level' constant. Mount the float unit to maintain the lowest needed level. Not knowing your situation, I don't know if this would be in the loco cab, etc. o...
by ChuckHackett-844
Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Another Dynamo Thread
Replies: 2
Views: 508

Re: Another Dynamo Thread

I have not tried it, but I think people have had good luck using the same electric motors used in electric RC flying, etc. as generators. They are permanent magnet rotors and generate 3-phase power. You would then use a 3-phase full-wave bridge rectifier (similar to what is in car alternators) to co...
by ChuckHackett-844
Fri Mar 29, 2024 7:00 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: boiler wash
Replies: 36
Views: 3148

Re: boiler wash

In the past I have used "Passivated Muriatic Acid" to wash the boiler on my Northern. I totally filled the boiler and had a pump circulating water from a bucket, into the boiler, and back to the bucket. There was a low fire in the boiler to heat the solution. This worked well to free rust ...
by ChuckHackett-844
Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:09 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: mosley turbo
Replies: 5
Views: 695

Re: mosley turbo

If operating, I sold a 1.5 version for around $900 awhile back so they are definitely worth money.

Have not heard of anyone making a 1" scale operating turbo.
by ChuckHackett-844
Sun Dec 31, 2023 6:23 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Signal Scale
Replies: 5
Views: 4268

Re: Signal Scale

Here I am thinking more the scale of the target, signal height, etc. as opposed to making the signal 'observable'. I don't have any issues with 1.5" scale 5/8" diameter, Fresnel-like lenses illuminated by 10mm/20ma LEDs, even in bright daylight. Tristan mentioned 2" scale. This is the...
by ChuckHackett-844
Sat Dec 30, 2023 11:29 am
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Signal Scale
Replies: 5
Views: 4268

Signal Scale

Before posting my previous post: https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?t=113146 I should have asked: On a 7.x" gauge railroad that runs mixed scale locomotives (1.5", 2.5", 3"), what scale of signals make the most sense to you? .. 1.5", 2.5", 3" ??? A ...
by ChuckHackett-844
Fri Dec 29, 2023 12:46 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Signal Availability
Replies: 1
Views: 1797

Signal Availability

I am looking for 2.5" scale signals. I'm interested in completed signals, parts, casting patterns, signal bases, housings, lenses, etc. Searchlight, position type (3 lamp, red, yellow, green in triangular pattern on round target as used by NY Central and others), etc. I am not looking for signa...
by ChuckHackett-844
Mon Nov 27, 2023 6:44 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Electric water pump install questions
Replies: 15
Views: 3981

Re: Electric water pump install questions

I wonder if this is a good idea. If the capacity of the water pump is large in relation to the boiler capacity I fear that it will cause thermal stress in the boiler through rapid cooling of one section of the boiler compared to another. just a thought ...
by ChuckHackett-844
Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:32 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: What is the best height for a locomotive stand?
Replies: 16
Views: 16329

Re: What is the best height for a locomotive stand?

Harper,

My personal website is way out of date but this page shows the engine stand I built that I also use to work on my 4-8-4

http://whitetrout.net/Chuck/EngineStand/Index.htm
by ChuckHackett-844
Fri Nov 10, 2023 10:25 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: 7.x gauge 3-way switch
Replies: 9
Views: 4781

Re: 7.x gauge 3-way switch

Thanks Rich & Greg ...

(Rich: Do you think they would supply it in 7.x gauge? :D )