I'm in the process of looking into the viability of building Kozo's "Pennsy" in 1 1/16" scale as my first loco. I have his book and he covers this loco in 3/4" and 1.5" scale for 3.5" and 7.5 (7.25"
gauge respectively. He considers this to be an ideal first locomotive.
I have come to the idea that a 5" gauge locomotive is a more suitable scale for me, the 3/4" a little small and the 1.5" is a little too large.
I have started drawing up a boiler based around a 5" tube (both sizes of Kozo's Pennsy's have a rolled tube with a butt & strap joint at the bottom).
I looked at the Sweet Pea boiler design for a comparison and it uses a 5" I.D tube – 5" I.D x 14 S.W.G for boiler and 5" x 10 S.W.G for the firebox tube.
The commonly available tubes are 5" OUTSIDE diameter. I have watched videos with Sweet Pea boilers being constructed and they are definitely extruded tubes.
If a 5.25" tube is available this would be more suitable for many reasons.
If anyone can shed any light on this and any comments about the change of scale it would be appreciated.
Graham