Not narrow gauge, but way cool...

[Stephen Hussar]

After 18 years in the making, "Tornado" No. 60163 was unveiled at Darlington Locomotive Works in the UK... more at: http://www.a1steam.com/

[Ed Lecuyer]

Well, we've got some leading truck wheels and a bell... I bet #11 will be done in less time than Tornado. While it's a little smaller, that doesn't matter - since Tornado, like 7/11 was equivalent in size for their respective owners.

[Stephen Hussar]

Well, we've got some leading truck wheels and a bell... I bet #11 will be done in less time than Tornado

Absolutely, and dont forget we've got many, many drawings, a big new lathe, and a place to build her. That's more than the A-1 group started with. Oh yeah, almost forgot the original throttle lever from No 7...can't go anywhere without that!

[Jon Dandridge]

Very interesting.

Didn't see any mention of a mechanical stoker and the picture shows the engine as being hand fired. Seems unusual that a new loco of that size for mainline running would be built today as hand fired.

Pehaps someday they'll be a group in the US that would build a new New Haven I5 or NYC Hudson - we can dream 

Jon

[Wayne Laepple]

There were very few, if any, stoker-equipped steam locomotives in Great Britain. Even their most modern engines eschewed appliances such as feedwater heaters that we take for granted over here. British engines look big, but compared to ours, they were really pretty modest machines. The 9-F class of 2-10-0's the largest in the country, weighed about the same as a modest-sized 2-8-0 here.

I remember in the 1960's when "The Flying Scotsman" toured the USA, someone pointed out that the locomotive and its entire train weighed less than Southern 4501! 

[Gordon Cook]

We have another important piece of #11 which is now at the museum. Bernie completed a number plate last year, and after some 'aging' in my shop it is buffed and painted and ready for display. So check it out when you get there.



Gawdon

[Pete "Cosmo" Barrington]

Wow...
I hadn't realized at first that the Tornado was a completely NEW locomotive!
Well,... I guess that's living proof that it CAN be done!

It woulld be nice to see some big-guage US locos recreated, but I'd suggest something a bit smaller than a 4-6-4 to start with!
Maybe a NH K-1-b 2-6-0 or somethin...

[Bernie Perch]

Gordon,

Any posibility of showing a photograph of your finished work on the #11 plate?  It will be quite a while before I can come to Maine to see it.  I'm sure it is absolutely perfect.

Bernie

[Gordon Cook]

Bernie,
I finished it up late and completely forgot to take a picture. Perhaps Stephen or James will take some pics of it this weekend and post them.
The background for now is all black. There was some discussion a while ago about using red around the number, and we can always do that later if that's the consensus.
It looks great, and will look even better mounted on #11's smokebox!!

Gawdon

[Keith Taylor]

Gordon,
Another way to go is black around the numerals and red around just the lettering. I believe this was the standard way Baldwin painted the plates originally.
Here is a link to a picture of East Broad Top Number 17, that shows this way of painting the number plates.
http://www.ebtrr.com/pics/l-myers/ebt-loco_17.jpg
Keith

[Bernie Perch]

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

[Bernie Perch]

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----------

[Stephen Hussar]

And here they are. Spectacular job, Gordon!!

[jockellis]

Hello, from Georgia,
That is beautiful! It appears to be made from brass or bronze. Is it? Maybe you could make a 12 and a 13 and...
Jock Ellis

[Bernie Perch]

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