Chloe update

[Harlock]

Pictures:
www.mojaveserver.info/gallery/main.php/v/harlock/chloe/chloeprogressapril08/

The main suspension is coming along, new slide valves are starting to be machined, and most of the cab-rear is done except for the tank, which is being started on this week. The steam domes have been re-done and now match the cab, which is now completely finished. Parts for the crosshead pump are here. We are awaiting the arrival of the boiler from Marty.

We ordered a new main frame from Gene as the old one had wonky hole patterns and wasn't worth salvaging. It is currenly down here with me getting faced and squared on a large bridgeport. After that it will go back to my dad up north for finishing. The cylinders are still down here waiting to have the steam slots partially back-filled to correct bad machining by the original builder.

There isn't a whole lot being re-used from the old Chloe at this
point, maybe even less by the time we are done. This is essentially a new engine being built using a few parts from the old one.

Re-machining of the driver wheels and axles awaits the installation of a new 12X24 lathe, which has to be brought from its palette up to the lathe stand.

I attempted to have a number plate built up from Solidworks via rapid prototyper, but it could not build the smaller lettering at the standard resolution. Due to the higher cost of the high resolution RP services, I will likely just have it photo etched in brass instead like the builder's plate and cab side plates. This will also give it a more natural cast look.

I picked up a 4 foot Tom Bee flatcar and truck kit at Maricopa to turn into the riding water/propane tender. Right now I am machining the wheels for the flatcar trucks down here in Mojave.

I acquired the little passenger car from Jeff Badger's chloe train set that came from Jim Ferguson / Robert Morris. It is in the last picture. I put my fiance on it and pushed her back and forth on a piece of panel track while making choo-choo noises.

Speaking of that Chloe, I have added recent pictures I took of it at Jeff's place this past weekend, after the complete teardown/rebuild.
www.mojaveserver.info/gallery/main.php/v/harlock/chloe/robertmorris/

That Chloe is for sale on Discover Live Steam along with the riding tender.

--Mike

[phutcheson]

Mike,

Thanks for the update ... looking good!


Pat H

[steamingspud]

Hey Harlock,

Is the Chloe on the forsale pages of dls for ten grand the same as the one your working on?
It looks like a good investment, and easy to run. Any chance there's a company that sells a kit or blueprints of a chloe?
Thanks

Steamingspud

[Harlock]

Yep it's the same kind of engine, and the link at the bottom of my post above goes to that same engine that's for sale on there.

Gene Allen of Allen Models is still around and sells the plans and castings. The Allen Chloe is based off of a 2ft gauge Baldwin plantation engine that Ward Kimball owned and named after his daughter. Ward's full sized Chloe is now on display at the Orange Empire railroad museum in Southern California, which has that and the rest of his "grizzly flats" narrow gauge collection.

Gene Allen has no web page but advertises in Live Steam & Outdoor Railroading Magazine.

Unlike Kozo, the plans are very basic and do now show you how to do anything. There is a lot of fiddling and finessing that needs to be done to make it all come together. However it is a simple, small steamer for 7.5" gauge.