locomotives for dummies

[DismalduncParticipant @dismaldunc]

Hi chaps, I have built a couple of elmers delightful engines and a couple of Stuart kits, and was looking into what goes into building summat like a "Tich"

However there are many bits that befuddle me apparently steam trains have "horns" when I thought they have whistles I also haven't a clue what " petticoat pipes are or many other bits and bobs that make the wheels on the train go round and round.

I did look at buying the LBSC book but its a dear doo for an initial poke around. So any suggestions of a good book will be gratefully received.

Whatever I do build I will be all on my lonesome (apart from pestering you kind people) as I live on a scottish island and there is no club, so I suppose I would have to have the boiler made for me.

Thanks

Dunc

[DismalduncParticipant @dismaldunc]

recommended reading for a noob

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Dunc;

Firstly, I love the Tich design, although others will disparage it – too small, too complex, too large (that's the gauge 1 crowd).

I'd think that if you have made a couple of stuart kits, a Tich would be fairly easy for you. Remember that there are quite a few variations of Tich; 3 boilers, at least 3 valve gears. My first locomotive was a "large boilered, slip eccentric geared" Tich, and she's still going strong, although the paint isn't!

I built 2 Tich boilers; the first almost in line with LBSC's writings; nutted firebox stays, etc, and I did not even know how to anneal copper at the time. It was a failure, but I learnt a LOT about it, so Tich boiler #2 (from a "Reeves" kit) took 11 hours to complete, and its still going strong.

Books? Do you have Model Engineer? Lots of info in there, but you may have to read between the lines. I don't know if I'd worry about the Tich book – it is entertaining, but you probably know enough already.

Another JohnS.

[Colin AbreyParticipant @colinabrey20074]

Duncan,

The Model Steam Locomotive by Martin Evans covers most aspects of locomotives. You could also try Beginner's Guide to Model Steam Locomotives by Tim Coles.

Hope this helps.

Colin

[DismalduncParticipant @dismaldunc]

Thanks chaps, I did not know there were flavours of tich and have requested mr Coles book as my early Xmas prezzie, sorry for the delay replying, had broadband prob .

Dunc

[Author]

Posts