The Home Machinist!

Dianne Best who posted on various Chaski forums as DianneB passed away on July 19. Dianne had many interests including private pilot, airplane restorer, steam traction engine operator, avid motorcyclist, RC modeler of helicopters, boats, and submarines, cowboy action shooting participant, figure ska...

Art water and Steam there are usually some engines running on steam. If a beam engine is running try to time your visit to see that event. People’s interests are different but I would allow at least a couple of hours to see the museum. I said before that Kew Bridge station was on the London Overgrou...

I have been to all the sites you mentioned. Crossness is only open limited times but is well worth a visit. It is a little difficult to get to from central London. The London Museum of Water and Steam (formerly Kew Bridge Steam Museum) is a must see and easy to get to using London Overground. The Sc...

The St Croix ended up with a 5" gauge on the elevated ... That's going to be a problem for me if I ever bring my steamer out. The locomotive is 3-1/2" and the riding car is 4-3/4". It was originally set up for running at PVLS, NJLS and LILS, which have both of those on the high line ...

I am thinking of adding a boxcar to my 7.5" ga. LE American and looking for plans. The older the style the better. I am trying to stay 1860s if possible. Thanks guys! August to Oct 1987 issues of Modeltec have a build series by George Dean that might be of interest. April 1988 Live Steam has a...

It has come to my attention that I have inadvertently insulted Dianne by stating that “operator error” was the cause of the WHOMP. I too have experienced the WHOMP many times when I did not take time to totally clear any gas accumulation in the firebox before relighting. I attribute that to my opera...

I need very little blower with the type of burner that Dianne uses. I have them in 4 different locomotives. When running I can turn the blower off completely. However, I normally leave the blower on a small amount so I don’t need to bother turning it on again when stopped. It is not much different t...

I’d add Kempton Park Steam Engines to your list. The two triple expansion steam engines there are the largest in the world. I’ve been there twice and especially if you can visit on a running day they are well worth a visit. The London Museum of Water and Steam (previously known as Kew Bridge Engine ...