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Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:49 am
by PRR5406
I don't think mine is one of the original four, but it has a copper boiler and was, I believe, constructed in 1982-84, or somewhere in there. I have numbered it as 1179. Bob's locomotive, mine, and another of the Mercer models, have triple-headed on the Silver Lake and Ossipee RR, in New Hampshire.
Someday, I hope we can arrange a rally of these little locomotives on a large enough railroad to accommodate good times and great pictures.

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:52 am
by LVRR2095
Bill Shields wrote:interesting...I only saw 1171 / 2 / 3 together & don't remember Ben ever mentioning a 4th to me.

must be getting old....
If you have access to Live Steam magazine for January 1971 look on page 17 and you will see a picture of 1174 and a description of the four man partnership.
All four used to show up regularly at the NJLS back then and many times I saw them quadruple heading pulling a long train of Mr. Rittenburg's hopper cars.

Keith

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:03 am
by shayloco
PRR5406 wrote:Mine was built by Elmer Nuskey and has a Ben Nixon pump! I love it!
PRR5406: your locomotive and Bob D.'s were both built by Tony Daddi when he lived in Pennsylvania. Dave S. knew him then. One was 7-1/4" gauge and one was 7-1/2" gauge. I met Tony when he lived in Connecticut, bought the 7-1/2" gauge loco and made it dual gauge with threaded on steel tires. I also made the tender. This is the loco that PRR5406 has now. Bob D. bought the 7-1/4" gauge one.
You are correct on the steam pump, it was built by Ben Nixon.

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:05 am
by PRR5406
I don't think mine is one of the original four, but it has a copper boiler and was, I believe, constructed in 1982-84, or somewhere in there. I have numbered it as 1179. Bob's locomotive, mine, and another of the Mercer models, have triple-headed on the Silver Lake and Ossipee RR, in New Hampshire.
Someday, I hope we can arrange a rally of these little locomotives on a large enough railroad to accommodate good times and great pictures.
Jim Abbott's Steam Meet 053.JPG
Jim Abbott's Steam Meet 054.JPG

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:06 am
by PRR5406
Thank you for the correction and further information.

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:29 am
by Bill Shields
does your loco have BRONZE CYLINDERS?

I ask because I have a set of castings from Tony D for this loco and the cylinders are bronze.

I also made the acquaintance of Tony's nephew at PLS last summer....

it was interesting because we were sitting and talking and he was talking about a Tich that he used to run when he was a kid...

A Tich that Jim bought in 1976 and I now have in my basement...that is when I learned of the relationship.

The thread on steel tires is a real slick trick...

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:46 am
by shayloco
Bill-
I believe PRR5406's loco has cast iron cylinders. But, you'll like this: the FRAME is bronze! The builder had a friend at the Brooklyn Navy Yard ...
-Larry

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:31 am
by LVRR2095
A picture of the four original locomotives with the four builders can be found on page 15 of the September 1971 issue of Live Steam Magazine.

Keith

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:44 am
by Bob D.
I did buy my loco from Tony D's son. It wasn't a Camelback then but I could see the good bones. I left the cylinders red in tribute to Tony. My frames are bronze, cylinders are iron. It was a great project bringing it to what it is today.
First day home
First day home

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:58 pm
by SteveM
shayloco wrote:But, you'll like this: the FRAME is bronze!
I have a set of Virginia frames that are bronze, although the frames on my chassis are steel.

Steve

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 4:04 pm
by jpeach1
I think another really positive aspect about what Dave is providing to the hobby is that the casting are done; not in development or waiting to be cast. To me this adds even more value. The prospect of sheet metal, tender parts or gingerbread to come as available to order in the future is icing on the cake. I appreciate the work and investment in all of the casting development and production up front to make a nice 1 1/2" scale engine attainable for pretty much anyone who can cobble the tools and the time together. Entry in to live steam at this scale is not going to get any more affordable than this...

Re: READING CAMELBACK 0-4-0 CASTINGS FOR SALE

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:18 pm
by Bill Shields
Oy...bronze frames....!