New Member

[airbrush]

Hey all,
I'm new to the board, and thought I'd introduce myself. My name is James, and I'm a
47 year old "train nut" too I'm currently finishing up my 1st year of a Associates
Degree in Machining Technology. We are in a 2 year course, heh that's two years, at
5 to 8 hours per day, full time including summers. We are learning most of the traditional
methods and most all of the new stuff (CNC, CAD/CAM, etc) . Even after all of this training
it seems that we've only just scratched the surface.
The work and photos I've seen posted here are staggering. It blows the mind to see how
much has been done, at times with few tools. And I thought I was dedicated.
There aren't any train projects going on here atm, . . . yet. You can be sure that
there's a lot of thought about it though.
later,
james

[Harlock]

Welcome James. That's great that you're in an immersive environment. Is machining a career change for you after school's done?

I'm always astonished at the craftsmanship that people put into their live steam models. It will probably take me 10 years to learn what you are learning in a structured program. Although 'Kozo University' is not a bad way to go for a hobbyist. I'm lucky in that I've been working in 3D for a long time so I understand spatial relationships very well. Now I'm learning the physical side and it's a lot of fun.

I think the best advice I've heard around here for people thinking of building a loco is...just do it! If you get to choose some sort of senior project, a stationary engine from castings would be a fine thing as well. My dad is just finishing up a Tiny Power engine now.

--Mike

[airbrush]

Thank you for the welcome and and reply Mike,
Yes, this is a career change! After 24 years in construction I felt it was
time to get out as it seemed that there were too many "undocumented" workers
to compete with (who don't require expenses such as workers comp) , so
I let them have it. Then it was on to the next 8 years as a starving artist.
Then one day I happened to walk into a machine shop.
I knew instantly what I wanted to do with the next 20+ years of my working life. It will
be great to actually get up in the morning and WANT to go to work.. I always stay after
class every day I can, and continue working on various projects until the instructors
run me out so that they can go home. ;D
I may not have time to devote to a large scale project like a steam loco at the moment,
but the school is keeping me busy with a lot of great projects for now. Most of the
projects we are getting assigned now are tool and die types of things, They let us make
a lot of tools and such that we can take with us and use later in our careers.
This summer we will be making 1-2-3 blocks, sine bars, a diamond tipped dreeser block for the surface grinder, and other various "test blocks" to see if we can hold
tolerances.
I don't know if would take you 10 years to learn this stuff on your own. But from
what I've seen on this forum, you guys allready know a lot of the stuff I'm learning.
Plans for after school are to work at a tool and die shop during the day, and to come
home to a personal workshop to work on the things I'm intersted in at night and
on weekends.
Theres a good chance that after school I be in "continuing education" classes at
home enrolled in "Kozo University".
regards,
James