The Home Machinist!

The wooden prototype intrigued me for a couple reasons. I thought it would look appropriate behind the Heisler I am building. Also, the cars were used by a company I had not heard of before and were hauled on the St. Joe Valley RR in northern Indiana.

I am considering building this side dump car as a future project and am in the research phase. The original photo is very grainy and details are not too clear. The text gives enough dimensions that I could get close but does anyone know or have any thoughts on how the dump mechanism would have worke...

Is there any update on this?

Thanks, everyone for all the replies. they have been very helpful.

For eccentrics such as an axle pump, what is the recommended lubrication, grease or oil?

The May meet of the Tri-State Locomotive Club will be Saturday May 22 at Bill Pepper's track in Andrews, Indiana. The track is roughly a half mile long and includes a signal system that permits bi-directional operation. This is a 7-1/2" gauge track.

How can this be? The government has told us we don't have inflation.

There was no first set. This is a new build. I purchased the partially completed project and this is where I am at this point.

Thanks for the replies. The bores are brass (or bronze) and the piston is stainless steel. (I took over the project from someone else who started it.) There are no ring grooves in the pistons as of yet. I will need to add them to fit whatever I use. So with this setup, would the recommendation be to...

On the Kozo Heisler, he calls for graphited asbestos yarn for packing for use as a piston ring. Later projects call for graphited ceramic fiber yarn. These are both for 3/4" scale engines. My question is for a 1-1/2" scale engine, is this the recommended material? Also, if it is the best, ...

I have to agree, track work is very satisfying work. One gets to be out in the fresh air all day and although physically tired, it is a feeling of worthwhile labor. After working all day on our local track, after replacing old, rotted ties, leveling and tamping, and then spreading fresh ballast, I c...

The September meet of the Tri-State Locomotive Club will be Saturday September 26 at Bill Pepper's track in Andrews, Indiana. The track is roughly a half mile long and includes a signal system that permits bi-directional operation. This is a 7-1/2" gauge track.