Hello from Rugby!

[Oliver Barrott-ShearsbyParticipant @oliverbarrott-shearsby84077]

Hello All!

I'm a 23 year old lad looking to start my first live steam model. Budget is tight, space is little and knowledge is very limited apart from a few books which I'm trying to read. I am in the mindset of 'bigger is better' so I think to start I'd like to aim at a 5" Gauge loco. I have 2 tracks local to me and if anyone on here is local and could potentially assist in my quest to become a model engineer that'd be grand! I have looked at traction engines too, and STW are local to me but I don't quite have the budget for one of a reasonable size.

Further to all of this I only have a shed as a tiny workspace. Which literally means a workbench and I believe that's it. I obviously need tools but space is an issue. So the simpler the better if possible, most likely to buy in kits and assemble?

So what recommendations can you guys make for a beginner's 5" loco?

Thanks in advance!

[Oliver Barrott-ShearsbyParticipant @oliverbarrott-shearsby84077]

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

Hi Oliver welcome to the forum. There are many members interested in like projects on here so ask away but it is worth visiting local clubs as there is a wealth of information there and they may have machinery that helps with the build. They are usually friendly groups but you have to ask if you want help.

David

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Hello Oliver and welcome to the forum. Davids suggestion of joining your local club is an excellent one because you will have access to lots of information from fellow members and the chance to see and maybe even drive a loco that you might want to build.

There will also be access to a boiler inspector to ensure that your boiler meets the requirements for insurance, which is often included in with the cost of club subs.

You will find with most model engineers that budgets are always tight, we just don't like spending cash!

Brian

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

Hi Oliver. I too recommend that you join a local club. I know of two local to you – the Rugby Model Engineering Society ***RMES*** and the Coventry Model Engineering Society ***CMES***

Although both are currently closed due to the Covid-19 crisis you can learn a lot from either. Personally I recommend the Coventry club, partly because I'm a member, but primarily because it has a better 5" track, which is about 610 mtrs long compared to the Rugby track of 335 mtrs, but there are plans to extend it in the next 2 to 3 years. RMES has a very nice 7.25" track but CMES doesn't. Both 5" tracks can be used by 3.5" locos.

Basically, CMES is a 5" club and RMES is a 7.25" club.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Welcome to the forum, Oliver,

Might be an idea to buy a loco in need of 'heavy general' maintenance? Make sure it has a boiler certificate though.

Neil

[Alain FooteParticipant @alainfoote90915]

Definitely suggest Rugby MES if you live in Rugby. We have a very good 2 1/2” , 3 1/2” and 5” raised track, which is being extended, as well as a 7 1/4” ground level track.

[Oliver Barrott-ShearsbyParticipant @oliverbarrott-shearsby84077]

Thanks for all the replies chaps

Would it be ridiculous to think I'd be able to build a loco without a lathe or mill? I gather these are rather handy / vital bits of kit. Ideally I'd like to have both but I think the shed might be a bit tight and I think the lady would have a word to say if it were in the spare room

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

If you settle for a reasonable sized model, then all on a lathe is quite practical, only twenty years ago I think most of hobbyists still only had a lathe and fifty years ago hardly anyone did.

Things like frames can be drilled and filed, or order them laser cut. Smaller parts can be milled on the lathe with the help of a vertical slide. There are books on the subject, notably milling in the lathe by Tubal Cain.

Neil

[Robert YeendParticipant @robertyeend86185]

Hi Oliver, I'm new to all of this too and also live in Rugby, I'm looking to build a 5" Britannia over the next few years. I'm yet to join up at Rugby but was planning on heading over there for their first run of the year which has now sadly been cancelled for obvious reasons. PM me if you're interested in sharing resources etc, and of course, GOOD LUCK!

Rob

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