Thread: Stephenson's Rocket

Hi All,

This is indeed going to be a build that will take a long time.

Fletty (indeed a top fellow) has lent me the book that was suggested previously - "Stephenson's Rocket - Workshop Manual" and it is a treasure trove in showing exploded assemblies with isometric sketches. There is one of the subframe (I have scanned the sketch that I have used for my design)

I have made the frame out of aluminium using countersunk head screws to join the aluminium. The aluminium gives a more realistic scale that timber as I would have needed to make it much thicker to gain the same strength. I have also made the bearing horns out of aluminium and as I only had the space for one screw - I have had to drill and then pin beside the screw to ensure the is no movement of each bearing horn.
I have then filled each countersunk head with body filler and then sanded back to look as though the frame is not screwed together.

The second and third photos show my representation of the frame and with a beer can for an idea of size.

The last photo is pretty rough - I have placed the wheels on the ground - then the frame and then the other side wheels - to show the frame and wheel configuration.

Regards

Keith

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Great having such good refference material.

No rush here, enjoying the ride

DaveTTC
The Turning Cowboy
Turning Wood Into Art

What great imagery. The use of plain back ground really makes your work stand out.

Also well done to Crowie for providing the reference material.

Just goes to show how lightly the real early engines were constructed.

Thanks Kevin,

Crowie is indeed a great guy as well - but Fletty provided the extra reference material.

Regards

Keith

Now the engine is starting to take shape. Like many builders starting from the bottom up seems to work. The chassis looks great but as many will know there is still a long way to go and i for one look forward to it

Hi All,

I have been working on the Rocket chasis. Made up the trailing and drive wheel bearings to slide into the bearing horns.

Also had to make up the leaf springs. The trailing wheel spring assembly was a real pain as the leaf spring has to fit through the bearing horn. I drilled the horn with a 5mm drill and then used a square needle file to get the rectangular hole on both sides to suit the leaf spring.

The drive wheel springs were a lot easier. The ferrules on the ends are aluminium that I turned and drilled. I then slotted them with a hacksaw and then used a really tight interference fit on the top of the leaf spring into the ferrule. (Used my vyce for this tight fit). The I used body filler to act as an adhesive and also to allow a better looking join.
Side plates on the front springs are 1mm aluminium. Fletty's photos were great in allowing me to get the correct width and number of leaves on the springs.
I think the next task will be to turn up some axles. Then I can get into more detail on the chasis once I have the wheel clearances etc.

I have kept in touch with Trev's (Repliconics) son - Tayne. He is going well. He was aware that I am making the Rocket. Not sure how as I'm sure I didn't tell him, but he found a "Matchbox" replica of the Rocket that Trevor had and he sent it to me. It is a priceless article for me - photo attached.

Regards

Keith


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Looking good.

Originally Posted by Keith_1

I have kept in touch with Trev's (Repliconics) son - Tayne. He is going well. He was aware that I am making the Rocket. Not sure how as I'm sure I didn't tell him, but he found a "Matchbox" replica of the Rocket that Trevor had and he sent it to me. It is a priceless article for me - photo attached.

Regards Keith
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What an extra special gift from Tayne, Keith.
Trevor's memory lives on in the hearts & minds of so many of us and sir, you do both he & yourself proud with the attention to detail in the train builds...
Top job Keith. Cheers, Peter

Originally Posted by Keith_1

I have kept in touch with Trev's (Repliconics) son - Tayne. He is going well. He was aware that I am making the Rocket. Not sure how as I'm sure I didn't tell him, but he found a "Matchbox" replica of the Rocket that Trevor had and he sent it to me. It is a priceless article for me - photo attached.

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Hi Keith

I think it will have to be the tall stack now

Definitely

That is absolutely great that he thought of you and nice he is keeping in touch

Gday Keith.

As part of my next GTG I will be having a tribute to Trev (repliconics for those who may wonder)

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?url...re_pid=2056645

Jerilderie Jaunt and Watcha Dooen at Dooen? This is my 5th anniversary and we are shaking things up a little bit.

Hope the link thingy worked.

We plan to have many of his pics and projects on a slide show along with any words anyone would like to share.

I will start a seperate thread for the tribute side of things in the coming days.

Would love to see you again in Dooen if you can make it.

DaveTTC
The Turning Cowboy
Turning Wood Into Art

Here is a link to a how to on building one of those wooden electric trains.
I thought it was very helpful with many usefull ideas.

Originally Posted by htl

Here is a link to a how to on building one of those wooden electric trains.
I thought it was very helpful with many usefull ideas.

Thanks so much for this.

I have always loved the shays. Great reading and information.

Top Stuff

Regards

Keith