Messages

1

Work and Events / Re: Trout Brook Bridge - Official Work Thread

« on: September 07, 2017, 12:29:22 AM »

Why not make part of the track side sheathing into a door that could be opened to show the interior structure?  Keep closed to protect the structure, then swing it open on operating days.  That would be more of an early 20th century solution than plexiglas.

2

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: September 02, 2017, 11:09:14 PM »

The first group of these locomotives were built with 200 psi boiler pressure and a tractive effort of 16,700 lbs.  The second group of locos had 225 psi and a tractive effort of 20,800 lbs.  Factor of adhesion at that higher pressure 4.47. 

For a locomotive 20' long and 8' tall riding on rails two feet apart, 20,000 lbs. is phenomenal. That is why we call her "Saddletank Superpower" !

3

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: September 02, 2017, 02:07:19 PM »

Youngstown Steel Heritage is hosting our annual Fall Open House on Saturday September 23, so for the occasion I decided to put the saddle tank on the locomotive to show what the finished appearance of the 58 will be.   I may bring the unfinished cab over from the "Coalburg Locomotive Works" aka my home garage and put it in place as well. 

While the tender looks extremely small compared to the locomotive, in many cases where saddle tank engines had tenders they were of a small size. 

She is going to be quite a beast when back in operation, now planned for spring of 2018. 

4

Work and Events / Re: Bullard Vertical Turret Lathe Available

« on: June 03, 2017, 12:42:34 AM »

Jason,

I can weigh it on Sunday.  I'll get back to you.

Rick

5

Work and Events / Bullard Vertical Turret Lathe Available

« on: June 02, 2017, 11:39:38 PM »

There is a 36" Bullard vertical turret lathe available for sale cheap ($2,200) in western PA.   It runs and I'm probably going to use it to machine the treads of the wheels on our 5 ton Brookville.  After that job is done its destined for scrap unless someone takes it. 

With all the future work to be done on the 11 project, a VTL would come in handy machining the drivers, pistons, cylinder heads etc.  $2,200 is roughly scrap price for it.  Don't know if you already have one or access to one. 

6

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: April 30, 2017, 10:06:18 PM »

[/url]Loco Cyclopedia by Rick Rowlands, on Flickr[/url]

She weighs 93,000 lbs. in working order!  When we are done it will be a few pounds lighter as there are a couple of areas where we could lighten it up some.

2015-11-14 18.32.49 by Rick Rowlands, on Flickr

7

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: April 30, 2017, 01:57:02 AM »

It's heavier than it looks. 

But with roller bearings three of us can move it.
https://youtu.be/2wq2fWcRGVE

8

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: April 29, 2017, 12:32:22 PM »

2017-04-27 16.42.21 by Rick Rowlands, on Flickr

We put the 58 back on her own wheels yesterday. 

2017-04-28 11.41.28 by Rick Rowlands, on Flickr

2017-04-28 15.35.27 by Rick Rowlands, on Flickr

The locomotive rolls with almost no effort.  Amazing considering it weighs about 50,000 lbs. in this condition. 

9

Museum Discussion / Re: WW&F Receives Railway Heritage Grant

« on: April 09, 2017, 02:46:56 AM »

Actually, half of the eight 2017 Heritage Grants were awarded to narrow gauge preservation efforts throughout the US. Not a bad showing at all.

That is because narrow gaugers get things done!

10

Museum Discussion / Re: WW&F Receives Railway Heritage Grant

« on: April 08, 2017, 12:57:48 AM »

Looks like another two foot gauge railroad also received an NRHS grant this time around.  The Bucksgahuda & Western. 

11

Museum Discussion / Re: Are wood patterns obsolete?

« on: April 04, 2017, 11:31:47 PM »

As Jason said, various foundries are going to do things differently depending on what they make and what their customers want.  Jobbing foundries are getting even harder to find.  Not many industries require limited run castings anymore.  One of those industries is the heritage rail industry. 

Frankly I am looking forward to widespread acceptance of 3D printed sand molds.  Is it easier to find someone who knows CAD and Solidworks than it is to find a traditional patternmaker.  If it can be drawn up, the casting can be made at a cost probably cheaper than if I had to get a wooden pattern made for it first.  And even better, there are no bulky patterns to store.  Just a computer file. 

12

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: February 09, 2017, 02:27:29 PM »

2017-02-08 17.56.07 by Rick Rowlands, on Flickr

J&L 58 now has a face!

13

Museum Discussion / Re: 10 + 11 = 21: WW&F needs 2 New Boilers

« on: January 28, 2017, 02:20:57 PM »

Amazing progress taking place.  Boiler Kit on a flatcar, some assembly required. 

The dome lid blanks appear to be rather thick.  I assume they are going to be machined into a dish shape.   

14

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: January 10, 2017, 02:44:37 PM »

2017-01-04 10.13.05

Rear frame extension

2017-01-05 17.44.25

I had a short piece of 6x4 angle with the J&L mill mark so I made it into an oil can shelf that will be affixed to the backhead.  A nice touch!

2017-01-08 20.56.21

I had some additional lettering printed onto this pressure gauge face to approximate what the gauges from Porter looked like.

2017-01-09 15.26.05

A local blacksmith friend of mine forged a piece of 1 1/4" square stock into the new throttle handle to replace this quite deteriorated throttle handle.

15

US Two Footers / Re: Jones & Laughlin 58 Restoration

« on: January 10, 2017, 02:18:10 PM »

Work continues on the J&L 58 in Youngstown.  Looks like I have not updated this thread in over a year, so this is what we got done in 2016.

2015-09-28 11.38.41

Separated the boiler from the running gear.   Boiler goes to JS Company for work, frame goes to Reichard Industries for some heavy welding work.

2015-10-27 17.28.34

The roller bearing driving boxes were frozen into the frame, so I had to chain down the drivers and jack up against the frame to break it free. 

2015-11-01 16.35.19

The saddle tank had no means of accessing the interior to clean it out, so we cut a large opening in the top, framed it with 3x3 angle and added a cover plate.  There was about a foot of debris and rust in each water leg.

2015-12-02 12.52.52

I think we have the WW&F beat in terms of cramped shop space to work in!  Jacking the frame up off of the drivers.  The frame weighs 22 tons.

2016-05-25 08.48.00 small

Loading the frame to be taken to Reichard Industries.  This was the day that the 43" gauge shunter in the background was also delivered.

2016-12-26 11.24.02

New cab being fabricated in my garage at home. 

2017-01-04 10.16.19 small

Frame all welded up with the characteristic front plate reattached and a new rear frame extension welded on.  Ready to head back to the J&L NG.

2017-01-07 15.08.39 small

Since the 58 was built for 23" gauge and we will be following the same track standards as the WW&F, each driver tire must be moved out 3/8" to achieve 20 7/8" back to back distance.  I built a fire ring and tested it out on one of the spare worn out driver sets that we have.