1949 Reading Steam Freight Locomotive

[nine fingers]

Bret , I have followed you making the train,

I couldn't forget either. The wheels do spin but I tried them today with all the rods hooked up and didn't work so well. It seems it gets hung up when all the wheels get to the top or the bottom of the rotation

Bret

Hi Bret, I think the problem with the wheels locking the rods are out of true length by a fraction, the rods MUST be the exact length of the center to center of each axle , one rod on 2 wheels may work, 3 rods on 4 wheels must be exact. been following the build , looks great . cheers John.

[bj383ss]

Thank You Peter. John you are probably right about the rods. They are not exactly the same as I marked and measured out all of them seperate so I'm sure they are off a little. The wheels also may not be the exact same length apart. I have decided to build a display case made of plexiglass to go over a wooden base for the train to sit on so it will not be moving anyways. Going to mount it over the French doors in my study so my little ones can not reach it, but I will still be able to see it everyday.

Bret

[Yonnee]

I agree with Crowie, that's pretty cool.

[Dalboy]

Sneak Peek!
Attachment 232182

Now that is one mean train, looking forward to the complete finished model.

[TKO]

Hi Bret Have had trouble posting to your thread If this works this time no 5 trys Your loco is a magnificent piece of modelling,

Eddie

[bj383ss]

Well I have finally run out of steam on this project. The Locomotive and tender are now 100% finished and completed. I still have to finish the track and make a display case for it. But for now I am finished. I took alot of pictures.

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Bret

[Dalboy]

Absolutely brilliant Bret. Congratulations on a most enjoyable build that I have ever watched.

[Yonnee]

Magnificent Bret, just awesome!!

[crowie]

G'day Bret,
I'm not sure that even with your great ability with the camera, that the photos do your train justice.....
Now everyone can see that all the blood, sweat, tears, time & effort is so worthwhile and your attention to detail along with the patience’s shows off your craftsmanship as one to inspire toward....
WELL DONE, ON A TOP PROJECT WHICH YOU CAN BE VERY PROUD OF INDEED!!!!.
Thank you for all the WIP photos and build notes.
Cheers, crowie

[wheelinround]

Bret I have popped in to see whats been happening every so often and to see now the finished piece is to say the least a work of art. Well done.

[bj383ss]

Thank You Derek, Yonnee, Crowie, and Wheelin. I was in a hurry yesterday as I was posting the final. I have approx 117 hours completing this project. I started it last October. It almost lasted a year. If I had just 3 solid 40 hours weeks I could have finished it quicker. The actual build time was 102 hours and about 15 hours of assembly and finishing. I feels good to have it finished but now I have nothing on the bench and that is driving me crazy. Hope to start a new project soon.

Bret

[Dalboy]

Hope to start a new project soon.
Bret

Once you have made a cabinet for it Bret

[Handyjack]

I feels good to have it finished but now I have nothing on the bench and that is driving me crazy. Hope to start a new project soon.

Bret

You could make a (railway) car or two and a caboose to go with the engine.

Top job.

[bj383ss]

Derek I do want to make a cabinet for it and Handy I also want to make some more cars. Probably a boxcar, tankcar and a caboose. But for right now I am all steamed out. I went out in the shop this evening and decided to finish my lathe workbench drawers which is what I was working on before I finished the train. The reason I quit working on them was the sawblade in my tablesaw was dull and would not cut threw the maple edging for the false front drawers. So I went out and bought a new sawblade and have no excuse to not finish now.

Bret

[scotty60]

Bret once again a job well done it has come up superb, great detail looking forward to the next project but really waiting for the rod.