The Home Machinist!

Andy -- Superb workmanship and a big boost for smaller-scale live steam. Thank personally, and in the name of Humanity; not much of this sort of skill and dedication comes along these days in any field, so congratulations!

B&OBob

The main character is said to be modeled after the famous L.B.S.C. although I believe Shute never said or confirmed this. Shute actually credited Edgar T. Westbury as his example for the Trustee. That is confirmed by his story, which emphasizes Westbury-type small steam and I.C. engines, rather tha...

What does this have to do with live steam?

B&OBob

It's encouraging to see that one club -- and a really engaged member -- have stopped burying wood ties, that are destined to rot, with long-lasting plastic. This is an expensive, labor intensive project, but sure to pay-off in the future. Great looking work, Dan! There are still some unsung heros ar...

Hello, and thank you for checking-in. Your great grandmother provided an opportunity for Atilla, possibly at a point in his life where he most valued friendship and opportunity.
B&OBob

Thanks for your note, Dave.
Very sorry to learn we lost Don, whose valve gear design booklets were concise and informative without being stuffy.
B&O Bob

Most external surfaces of my 2.5" Ga B&O B-18 ten wheeler and tender are brass. Forty years ago, before painting, I grit blasted everything prior to assembly with 450-grit aluminum oxide. Admittedly, this is a messy process having to be done outside and requiring a meticulous effort to eliminate eve...

Actually some riding cars did have brakes. Our 2.5" Ga. car had a steel-clad wood plank about 9" long under the center of the car. The pad was normally retracted by a coil spring on each corner. Actuating the brake lever caused an eccentric cam in the center of the pad to force the brake pad against...

Congratulations -- looks great!
How about a descripion and some closeup pictures of the works?
B&OBob

Nothing is perfect. The pressure switch and high current relay (especially if "automotive" quality) are subject to failure, possibly allowing the compressor to run indefinitely. While compressor maximum output pressure is self-limiting to some extent, it's worthwhile to incorporate a safety valve in...

Those compressors run at high speed, generarting considerable noise and some vibration. You might want to consider using a ventilated housing with moderate soundproofing and vibration isolation for the compressor. Also, the more air storage capacity in the system, the better to keep the compressor f...

Oops! I apologize for the multiple near-identical posts above. I did not realize the topic had gone to a second page and thought my comments had not been posted. Sorry about that.
B&OBob