Messages

226

Work and Events / Re: Victorian Christmas

« on: December 22, 2008, 10:53:56 PM »

What's really nice about these photos is that this is exactly what it looked like 90 years ago.  As one of my students said many years ago: "You know that real life back then was really in color, not sepia tone".

Bernie

227

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: December 20, 2008, 09:42:28 PM »

Mike,

Thank you, I appreciate it.  I sent photos to Stephen to post of my latest project--spread out over many months.  This was for CNJ 113.  I hope you find it interesting--a three chime step top whistle bell.

Bernie

228

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: December 20, 2008, 04:25:42 PM »

Vince,

As mentioned in the post above, Jason is doing the engineering and drawings--talk to him.  I make the patterns from his drawings.

Bernie

229

Work and Events / Re: WW&F No. 11 - Official Work Thread

« on: December 20, 2008, 10:08:41 AM »

Matthew,

A considerable amount of "quiet background work" has been done on this locomotive and continues up to this point.  I have seen a number of posts involving people who do a lot of wishful thinking about new or reconstructed locomotives who don't have a clue as to the amount of work it takes to build a locomotive from scratch.  A considerable amount of engineering work and drawings have been made by Jason and others.  Wayne and myself have spent many hours just discussing the cylinder castings with Jason and visiting a commercial foundry and another pattern maker who is more capable that myself to do this job.

Recently I saw photos of failed casting projects which were heartbreaking.  This is why we are investigating getting this done commercially.  Who takes the hit when a $75,000 casting fails to pour properly?

I have built several foundry patterns for this locomotive and have started the drive wheel patterns.  Since I am involved in a local locomotive restoration project (CNJ 113), my WW&F stuff takes a back seat to this one and subsequently takes longer to get done.

Matthew, what you should do is start learning about patternmaking (there are many books available on the subject), and make one of the simple patterns for this project to see how much work is involved with each part.  We will need more people to do this, especially young guys like yourself who will be carrying on this preservation stuff when we can't do it anymore.

One more thing I would like to mention is costs.  The costs and tack ons at a commercial foundry will knock your socks off.  I got sticker shock when I got the final vouchers for the bell bracket castings.  The castings cost Wayne and myself just under $800.  I have since learned the name of a smaller, cheaper foundry, but when getting some of the big castings done, we will have to go commercial because of the amount of metal being poured and just for the sheer experience of those who do this every day.  Not all the work can be done by volunteers.

I have much more to say about this but I have to run.

Bernie

230

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / Re: SR&RL Annual Meeting

« on: November 25, 2008, 03:40:24 PM »

Stewart,

I know I have no authority in this matter, but couldn't they have castings made from the WW&F patterns and shrink the tires on like they are doing for Leon's.  The more the pattern would get used, the more I would like it.  I know the pressed steel wheels would be easier to use, but why not go full hog when the patterns are in existence.

Bernie

231

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / Re: SR&RL Annual Meeting

« on: November 25, 2008, 10:19:04 AM »

Stewart,

What kind of wheels are they using on it?

Bernie

232

General Discussion / Re: Inter library loan

« on: November 25, 2008, 06:43:43 AM »

I have used this system to borrow the books "Rails Around Gold Hill" and "Colorado Midland" among others.  The system works very well, but one should have someone at the receiving library note the condition of the books when they arrive.  The above mentioned two, and "The Shay Locomotive" were published by the same outfit and the binding tends to break and the covers come off.  I believe at least one, if not both the above came to me that way.  I own a copy of "The Shay Locomotive" (purchased new at Seashore Trolley Museum for about $20--that really shows my age), and it is well used and highly patched in these areas.

Bernie Perch

233

General Discussion / Proper Netiquette

« on: November 12, 2008, 10:49:08 AM »

Ed, James,

Thank you for your comments concerning the appropriateness of what is happening in this thread.  While I feel what appears to be young enthusiasts looking for information, it is taking a twist which caused me to avoid most other discussion forums and to avoid certain posters. 

Also, while I am commenting, I wish some new posters would use proper grammar and spelling (not counting the typos which spring up).  I just cringe when I read some some of the stuff which is being posted.  Some examples include: i instead of I, the improper use of their and there, the improper use of too, to, and two,  the improper use of break and brake, and the latest in one forum, the improper use of steel and steal.  I could go on and on, but I think most most people reading this get the point.

I do understand that we are not writing high literature here, but in a world wide forum we are exposing our souls permanently to everybody.

Bernie Perch

234

Museum Discussion / Re: Recieved: SEP/OCT 08 Newsletter!

« on: October 05, 2008, 01:19:22 PM »

I know that this is not a modeling forum, but not too long ago I purchased a 7/8n2 model of SR&RL #556 on ebay.  The scale is so rare that only one other person bid.  The woodwork on the model was almost complete, but none of the metalwork was done.  It was of spectacular workmanship and my critical eyes only noted one or two small flaws.  The interior walls and floor were complete and the interior was ready for detail.  It had to have been made a few years ago as unexposed wood around the removable roof wasn't oxidized.  The windows are movable and there were slots for glass (plastic).  It would be nice to know who made this model, as I believe it was purchased at an estate sale by the seller.  It is big at over 25" long and over 9"tall sitting on a pair of freight trucks I had purchased earlier on ebay.  I hope I can honor the person who made it by finishing it with the same contest winning workmanship.

Bernie Perch

235

General Discussion / Re: WW&F volunteer sighting...

« on: September 07, 2008, 05:23:54 PM »

I am spoiled----my house is about 100' behind me.  I keep the bank cleared so I can watch trains all the time.  I even have a spotlight for night.  One gets used to the noise.  The R&N local even blows AT the house--I know some of the guys including Chad Frederickson who is waving from the 425.  Wayne waved from the vestibule of a coach about 5 seconds after the photo was taken.  Wayne and Gordon both managed to wave on the return trip.  Thanks Stephen.  It's fun doing crazy things once in a while.  BTW, I made the patterns for 425's front number plate.  The R&N purchased the plate from Project 113.

Bernie

236

General Discussion / Re: Not narrow gauge, but way cool...

« on: August 14, 2008, 08:36:17 PM »

The next project from my shop will be the completed bell and bracket.  I have the finial/nut finished, and the yoke about 2/3 done.  These are the only parts which I intend to do from patterns to rough castings to finished product.  There are photos of these castings elsewhere on this forum.  Wayne Laepple and I are donating the bracket to the project.

After this and my three chime steptop whistle project for CNJ 113, the next patterns will be the drive wheel centers and the cranks.  The drive wheel centers will have the counterweights removable becuse two centers are spoked with counterweights and two are just spoked without counterweights.  I have no plans after that--whatever Jason needs.  We could probably use more patternmakers on this project if there is anyone out there who does it.

237

General Discussion / Re: Not narrow gauge, but way cool...

« on: August 14, 2008, 11:05:46 AM »

Jock,

It is entirely possible, as the patterns could be borrowed.  They were cast in red brass (builders plates were cast at the same time).  Of course, if you are willing to open your wallet we could have something to attach them to--------

Bernie

238

Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad / Bigelow Roundhouse Plans

« on: August 11, 2008, 10:01:00 AM »

Does anybody out there know where I could get plans for the SR&RLRR roundhouse at Bigelow?  I have the many books which show plans for the roundhouses at Bridgton, Wiscasset, Phillips and possibly others and could probably cobble a set from these, but I would like exact ones if I could find them.

Bernie

239

General Discussion / Re: Not narrow gauge, but way cool...

« on: August 09, 2008, 10:56:58 PM »

Gordon,

Stephen emailed me pictures of the #11 nose plate along with the headlight.  You did a super job and can be proud of it.  All we need are a few more parts----------

240

General Discussion / Re: Not narrow gauge, but way cool...

« on: August 09, 2008, 10:12:47 AM »

If you look at an early front view of #7, the number plate shows two distinct values of black and white indicating two different colors.  I like the combination mentioned by Keith.

When I sent up the #10 plate a few years ago, I wanted to make it two tone, but whoever I corresponded with wanted it all black.  If you want to see what a two color plate looks like, paint the perimeter around the Vulcan lettering on #10 with artist's tempera paint (water base).  Form an opinion, maybe take a few photos and then wash it off.

Most builders plates which I have finished, I painted International red.  Don't know if it was protoypical, but it looks nice to me.

Bernie