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Post by phutcheson on Dec 27, 2006 3:56:34 GMT -5
Just finished updating my web site with my progress on the A3 Switcher by Kozo (3/4 scale) ... Finished the Tender Frame!
See phutcheson.net under Projects.
If you have any question or comments post them here or email me.
Thanks siggy for your help!
Pat H
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Post by pkastagehand on Dec 27, 2006 11:51:34 GMT -5
Lookin' Good!
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Post by Harlock on Dec 29, 2006 3:14:22 GMT -5
Your site will be very useful as I follow along behind you... Still workin' on the wheels. This fall has been very busy. can't wait to get into non-roundy things for some variety. Question - in phutcheson.net/images/A3%20Switcher/Tender%20Frame/Tender%20Frame0459.JPG what's that label on the edge of the bench that says Mojave? I live in the (Southern Pacific founded) town of Mojave in Southern CA, near the Tehachapi Loop. --Mike
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Post by phutcheson on Dec 29, 2006 17:52:09 GMT -5
Paul ...
Thanks Paul, nice to hear (read!).
Mike,
We are about 2-3 hours from each other ... instead of around the world.
Glad to hear that I can help. I have gotten a lot of help from web sites ... just trying to return the favor. Once you finish the tender wheels things do get interesting and more fun. That is one nice thing about this hobby ... not too much repetition, rather lots of variety.
I will be posting pictures on the Tender Frame especially the copper forming ... that should be interesting. Siggy says is not as hard as it looks!
The label shown is attached to a surface plate that I do my layout and measuring on. The company is located in Los Angeles. This surface plate measure 18 X 24" grade A (inspection). It was last calibrated in 2002. I paid about $100 for it and the stand from ebay (goes for about $600 w/stand new). The company selling it was local so I able to pick it up without shipping charges. I really like it!
Let's keep the information center going! Keep us posted with your updates and pictures if possible.
Have a safe New Years!!
Pat H
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Post by Harlock on Dec 30, 2006 2:24:29 GMT -5
Pat H:
Thanks for the answers. Are you planning on running your loco at LA Live Steamers? I tried to show up at the 50th anniversary meet up to check out the place but they had some kind of accident the weekend before (idiot member of the public stood up on a moving train apparently) and were closed for a while. I think I'm going to join up as an out-of-town member (I'm more than 60 miles away.)
know of any other 3 1/2" gauge track setups around SoCal?
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Post by phutcheson on Dec 30, 2006 12:52:19 GMT -5
Mike,
I will probably join the LA Live Steamers, since they are only about 45 minutes from us. It's a fun place to see all the trains actually running.
But that's far in the future ... at least a few years at my current pace. I still have the option of running in the back yard ... nice and close! I read Ed Hume article in Live Steam and Outdoor Railroading where he ran his A3 on a roller platform for testing ... great way to set it up for testing. Will probably do that.
I don't recall any other places to run 3/4" in Southern California. When I do I will spread the word. Maybe other readers could comment?
I hope to get back the my A3 soon, but I have some catching up in other projects ... something about a jar with paper in it ... wonder what that's all about!
Later,
Pat H
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Post by gordonfrench on Dec 30, 2006 14:27:34 GMT -5
Pat,
There are no places that I can find to run 3/4 inch gauge in Oregon either. But, this morning I had the guy from "Affordable Fence" over to survey the backyard. I want to RUN!
This is twice as frustrating because the longest 1-1/2 inch gauge track is guess where? OREGON! There have to be more Oregonians who bought one of Kozo's books and decided to have a go! Where are they?
Gordon
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Post by Harlock on Dec 30, 2006 15:30:22 GMT -5
Gordon: Heh. Train Mountain. My eyes bugged out when I first looked at the map and pictures on their website. I'm planning on doing a pacific northwest trip next year and I'll try to make it coincide with one of their gatherings.
I've talked to a lot of people who say they really enjoy their 3/4" scale models, and it's a manageable size for a first project, so I don't regret at all building something that I can easily stick in my trunk. But I have a feeling that the next project will be bigger...
--Mike
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Post by phutcheson on Dec 31, 2006 13:15:38 GMT -5
Gordan...
Well ... it looks like you may be the start of a trend!
How/Why did you pick a fence company ... I would have never thought of that. Or are you designing it and he will actually build it? Share any information like ... size of back yard etc.?
Please keep us posted (probably at your new post in Track Builders).
Mike ... you are exactly right ... manageable for a first project and portable. This gets our feet wet.
Pat
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Post by gordonfrench on Jan 1, 2007 22:01:32 GMT -5
I have been running on elevated tracks since 1965 so every time I see a guard rail on an interstate I wonder who runs the machine that digs out the square holes and plants the square posts that the attach the wrinkled steel rails to. If I could get him to come over with his machine then I'd have the makings of an elevated track in no time. Anyway the guys who build fences think nothing of sinking posts in the ground at given intervals, and they must have equipment or know-how to do it day after day. Something I don't.
The backyard is what is left after you put a house and garage on a lot 101 feet by 99 feet. I asked Brian how he would do it and he got his wheel and rolled around a while and said he would be back to me with an estimate.
More as the plan develops.
Gordon
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Post by locodan5416 on Jan 1, 2007 22:37:44 GMT -5
I would do this. Use a 4x4 and attach it to a plywood base, with some braces. then, put it on some form of gravel. No holes, no posts. Nothing getting out of alignment somehow. and, you can take it apart if you choose. keep in mind I live in a state where it normally snows... except this year.
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Post by gordonfrench on Jan 3, 2007 9:39:06 GMT -5
What you are describing used to be called a "portable track". Though they were generally built of steel, they could be taken apart and moved. It rains here in Oregon so much that I would like to avoid wood as much as possible. It seems that I've spent a lifetime replacing rotten wood at the GGLS site. There, believe me, the "High Track Chairman" gets no respect. But I will say that Christopher Leggo and Stanley James came up with the perfect solution to track tie/spike problem. The plates that they made hold everything to something. What they did is to punch plates that are then bent around the bottom of the 4 rails and the plate gets nailed/screwed to the tie, then the ties are screwed to the stringer. Boy that works nice!
Before, the ties were laid on stringers and pinned to the rail. That system works loose and falls apart quickly.
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Post by Harlock on Jan 3, 2007 21:26:23 GMT -5
Speaking of rot, I noticed at Bitter Creek Western in Arroyo Grande that all the new track going in is with recycled plastic ties. They don't look as authentic, but the real world invades aesthetics quite frequently when you're on a money and manpower budget, as everyone is. The real railroads are going to concrete, scale railroads are going to plastic. Interesting evolution.
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Post by Russells on Jan 7, 2007 19:53:29 GMT -5
I just posted some new photos on the Yahoo KOZO site of my recent progress. Two big changes I decided to make on my A-3 are: Nine latches on the smokebox door instead of six and White LED headlights. The "Pennsy Power" book shows A-3's rebuilt with eleven latches and I liked the look, but only nine would fit around the hindges. I also used 0-80 hex head bolts in the latches instead of phillips screws. The White LED's are from Radio Shack and are powered by two LR44 button cells inside the headlight. There is also a micro slide switch in the back of the case from Minitronics to turn it on and off. The LED's are unbelievably bright. Without the "C" battery, the air reservoir can stay solid for added traction and I will be building the air compressor from Kozo's "New Shay" book to add to the other side for balance. I have also added the optional dead weight to the smokebox so this will be a very heavy little engine. groups.yahoo.com/group/Builders_of_Kozos_Engines/Russells A-3 photos
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Post by Ed Hume on Jan 8, 2007 9:04:45 GMT -5
Russells,
It sure is looking good - the additional latches are an improvement. The flag posts look good too - its not easy to make those bad boys the same size.
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