Aveling Porter Rail Locomotive 15mm / 3 ft gauge

[themole]

A simple 3 1/2" gauge traction engine can be made from a Wilesco traction engine, and the wheels off a Hornby live steam Rocket. Fix the large Rocket wheels in place of the Wilesco rear wheels (keeping the Wilesco sliding sprocket in place, this enables the engine to stop and idle before reselecting drive) Fix the Rocket small wheels to the front axle. Result a working live steam railmounted traction engine. I know I built one in the early 80's Alyn

 

[Mik]

I love it!
A while back I built a traction engine conversion based upon Pacific Face Brick #1

I have 5 or 6 other traction engine locomotive pictures in my files as well. Most here were used for logging or industry switching

But more on topic, there is a Fowler conversion postcard on fleabay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/K289-RP-FOW...368?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab668bd18 < Link To http://www.ebay.com/itm/K...mp;hash=item4ab668bd18

 

[persistent_bodger]

A simple 3 1/2" gauge traction engine can be made from a Wilesco traction engine, and the wheels off a Hornby live steam Rocket. Fix the large Rocket wheels in place of the Wilesco rear wheels (keeping the Wilesco sliding sprocket in place, this enables the engine to stop and idle before reselecting drive) Fix the Rocket small wheels to the front axle. Result a working live steam railmounted traction engine. I know I built one in the early 80's Alyn

I'd really like to try something similar but I have such a limited budget at the moment. I had thought about using a stationary mamod engine, with chain drive to two small wheel sets, perhaps a later project.

That is a peculiar looking locomotive Mik, looks like a wagon with a traction engine mounted inside, what did you make your locomotive out of? The link to that locomotive postcard is very useful, what a wonderful looking engine.

Best
Tim

 

[Mik]

Tim, it's an Aristo Eggliner/FA brick, half of a Kester's Old Time Collectables Russell traction engine, 2017 headlight, and a chunk of Bachmann freight car that I had in my junkbox. If I'd had to pay full retail for everything it would have been about $150 in parts, but I swapped for most of it, so I think I only had about $50 in it....

I took the lazy way out and used a Wilesco spring belt to drive the crankshaft. The original was chain drive.

 

[Mik]

I dug out a few conversion photos for you guys.
Here is another Russell

This one was factory built by Frick

This one appears to be a 20th Century traction engine and Shay parts

Unknown pedigree, possibly early Case, in California
http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives/7/Traction_1.jpg < Link To http://www.irsociety.co.u..chives/7/Traction_1.jpg

I have a Peerless and a Buffalo-Pitts someplace as well.

For those who prefer the British stuff a Wallis and Stevens semi conversion
http://www.irsociety.co.uk/Archives...ckeringbrookheritagegroup.com/buckinghams.jpg < Link To http://pickeringbrookheri...up.com/buckinghams.jpg

Britton Bros (based on Marshall)
http://www.geocities.ws/loggingloco1/BVT/britst02.jpg < Link To http://www.geocities.ws/l...loco1/BVT/britst02.jpg
http://www.geocities.ws/loggingloco1/BVT/britst03.jpg < Link To http://www.geocities.ws/l...loco1/BVT/britst03.jpg

 

[persistent_bodger]

Thanks for those, the first image would be perfect for a mamod stationary boiler, I'll keep hold of that thought for a later date. The Oz locomotive is really quirky, very useful for ideas on my build. Thanks for taking the time to upload these.

Cheers

Tim

 

[jameshilton]

Tim that is one crazy looking engine and will be interesting to see in action, I hope it never suffers a Garrat style disaster (!) if it visits the EJ&KLR. Have you finished the small 0-4-0t battery locomotive yet?

 

[persistent_bodger]

Hi James, it is a strange prototype, I love the weird and the wonderful. No fear the Garratt was always going to be problematic, two much weight for the tiny motor to pull, I did strip the driving block before I went away and altered some bits, its fully lubricated now and balanced so I'll give it a test one day. This Aveling Porter has a much better motor and gearbox running like a little sewing machine, there is also plenty of places to add weight above the axles so I it should be super slow with good pulling qualities. It will also have its own train, probably one wagon, so I expect no problems. The little 0-4-0 is sat waiting for works plates and lining, I also need to add some more details on the chassis and treat to a light weather, I had hoped to build the weed killing train but thats on hold while I wait for some parts.

The loco progressed quickly last night with a full 4 hours work. The crank has been finished with a single rod to the cylinder and dummy motion added on the other side. I had hoped to get this all to run but it got a little complicated so now just the crank spins driving the rod and cross head. This is all powered by the chain to the rear wheel. Everything runs really well and since the photograph has been taken its all be dismantled so I can begin riveting up. The cylinder needs some extra details, as does the backhead and smoke box. A suitable chimney has been located in the scrap box and will added once I find a suitable base for it. The strange white things are brackets to hold the buffer beams in place, similar to some prototypes that had huge castings bolted to the front and rear. The buffer beams will be made in wood but I haven't decided on the coupling yet.

Tim

 

[trammayo]

Looking very good - progressing well

 

[persistent_bodger]

Thanks Mick, I've made some more progress on the cylinders and I've sorted out a chimney. The cylinders have had some plastic overlays and bits added to bulk everything up. The rest of the locomotive has been cleaned up and filed smooth ready for all the detail. One thing I hadn't thought about was a water tank. After looking at the various designs I've decided this will fit under the frames in the middle as with 'Blue Circle'. Rather than build a plastic box I'm going to add rivet detail to the battery box which thankfully fits perfectly.

Quite a lot of progress has been made today off and on DIY jobs. Some white metal details were added from GRS specialists and then other parts fabricated in plasticard. Cambrian models supplied the brake wheel and rivet detail which has unfortunately run out so I'll have to wait for my new order to arrive. Still it will give me time to finish off the cylinder linkages, wheel overlays, brakes and buffer beams

I was able to push the locomotive along and after some slight tweaking everything ran smoothly. I haven't tried it with power yet but fingers crossed everything should be fine.
Best
Tim

 

[themole]

Very nice model, here, in the traction engine theme, is my live steam 1/10 th scale gas fired showman's engine and working fair ground organ. Alyn

 

[trammayo]

Missed your post yesterday (wasn't at home) but it looks like its really coming together. Very nice indeed - look forward to further work on it - nice subject

 

[persistent_bodger]

Thanks Mick, I'm really pleased with how things are turning out. Wow Alyn, that is one hell of a set up, what a superb model.

I've been able to slowly work through the many bits & pieces that need detailing up, unfortunately I've now come to a holt while I wait for the remaining parts needed. The front and rear wheels have been detailed up using overlays, spares in the junk box and a variety of nut and bolt heads from cambrian models. The chimney base has been modified, as too has the motion to the cylinder. New additions include sand pots and brake gear on the rear wheels made from wire and plastic card. I had a rummage and found some suitable strip wood that will be ideal for the buffer beams, so with a bit of luck I'll get them completed tomorrow.

I haven't decided on a colour scheme yet but I'm thinking either Olive green or lined black?

Tim

 

[jameshilton]

Tim - wow - another bonkers creation that looks fabulous

 

[persistent_bodger]

Thanks James, The gauges, wire & rivets finally arrived this week, after adding nearly 200 rivets the locomotive went into the paint shop for its first prime and a light sand. The battery box fits neatly underneath so the next job will be to add brackets to clip it in place. I will leave the loco for a few days to harden before another coat is applied.

Once I've decided on a colour for the body work, not sure yet, either green or blue? Any suggestions? I'll give it three coats and then pick out the details. While I write this I think it might be an idea to fit the motion and motor to check everything runs correctly, there is nothing worse than finding faults after the final paint job is applied.

One other thing I need to consider is what couplings and buffers to use. At present I like the simple hook and chain and chunky unprotected buffer but it may have to be altered to run with my other stock.

Tim

 

[musket the dog]

What a great project, a really nice build you have coming together there Where did you get the chain and sprockets from? I am considering a set for my current build. Many thanks, Ricky

Also my vote would be for blue

 

[persistent_bodger]

Thanks Ricky, I bought the Derlin cogs and chain from an ebay shop, really reasonably priced, came to about £7 including postage and packing. I'll have a scan through and see if I can find the seller.

Best
Tim

 

[persistent_bodger]

Its been a long time since I've been able to post any progress but after 2 months of waiting for some free time I've been able to finish the Aveling Porter. I had to spray the locomotive in gloss as the colour blue I wanted to use didn't appear in Satin. The whole locomotive will be sprayed satin varnished once I've added transfers which will calm the shine down. There is nothing worse than a glossy locomotive especially when the light hits it.

I decided on blue in the end as a change from all the other locomotives liveries I have. This is also the prototypical livery of 'Blue Circle' the locomotive this model is based on. I haven't yet decided on a name but once the decision is made an order will be placed with narrow planet. The last step will be to weather the locomotive to resemble a well looked after but older loco.

 

[The90733]

Very impressive. I do like that. Will have to show the pictures to my dad as he wished to build something similar!

 

[trammayo]

Lovely