1860 Steam Train

**htl** · 24th August 2019, 10:13 AM

This will be a scratch built Stream train in the style of the 1860’s or there about.
Something like this.

Here’s where I got to today.

I have three partial days in it, one of those spit and sputter builds.
I have the plans for both Toys and Joys trains but wanted it to have a longer look to the boiler.
I have built both the wood and coal T&J’s Trains.
Started with the frame.

The back is 3/4” and went back and thinned the front part down to 1/2”, I used dowels to hold the parts together and will add a lot a strength to it.
Don’t faint but I used the Shop Smith’s lathe tools to build these parts. lol

Back in the 1980’s I had a one man shop and built many house and restaurant cabinets.
I used very simple tools a Sears RA saw and table saw and my SS was used for my drill press and any disk sanding that came along.
But what I want to show is how I did my face frames back then and what I used today for the train frame.
I have a Dowel Crafter doweling jig and it make quick work of doweling for face frames and fast quick doors.
First you mark the center of the face of the two boards.

Mark one board as x and the other as o.
In this picture I’m going to drill the x board first.
Line the board center up with the dowelers center and drill the two holes.
Then flip the doweler around and drill the o board with two holes.

The top of the boards are flush with each other, If the board were of different thicknesses would make no difference they would be flush.

Using the kreg system works the same way but uses screws to hold it all together but it hadn’t come out yet when I was building cabinets.
The Dowel Crafter isn’t made any more but can be found on Ebay for around $25.
You can also build your own jig of wood that will work just fine.

**crowie** · 24th August 2019, 10:41 PM

Won't be long at this rate before this beauty is steaming down the track Bruce...
Looking good sir

...
Cheers, Peter

**Keith_1** · 26th August 2019, 02:54 PM

Nice work Bruce

Regards

Keith

**htl** · 28th August 2019, 06:35 AM

Got a little more done.

Found out my tread making jig also does a pretty good job at making spoke wheels, sure saves a lot a time I would have to be drawing all the points needed to drill. Just add a blank and drill, once the jig is centered to the bit.

The indexer is set up for cutting 36 treads but as you can see I have it marked for every other hole or as I did this time every third hole.

As you can see the backer plate gets pretty chewed up when making the different sizes and angled treads.

Then I glued the parts to some card board to keep every thing lined up and glued in the spokes.

I forgot to mention I added a walk way before I started the wheels.

I really have fun adding all the dodads inside the cab.

Then I wasn’t going to do it but added the wheel Guides to the bottom of the wheels. Sorry don’t know what you call them, but I built them!!! lol

Up next will be the cow catcher, I always have fun figuring it out. #4 over and out

**crowie** · 28th August 2019, 08:16 AM

G'Day Bruce, You make it it so easy but in fact I know the skill & patience it takes to do the wheels so well; Top Marks Sir... Cheers, Peter

**Tonyz** · 28th August 2019, 03:04 PM

how many went ebaying for a dowell crafter, Ebay au brings up all sorts of stupid things (what a surprise) but not the real deal, plenty in USA though

**Handyjack** · 28th August 2019, 08:41 PM

Love the build.
I wonder how many cows you will catch with your cow catcher?

The wheel guides are called flanges.

**htl** · 29th August 2019, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by Tonyz

how many went ebaying for a dowell crafter, Ebay au brings up all sorts of stupid things (what a surprise) but not the real deal, plenty in USA though

I guess it's a US thing like the Shop Smith tons of them sold but only in the Us.
Tonyz I blog it first on Lumber Jocks then copy and paste it here.
I used to rewrite it here but found out I could just copy and paste and got to lazy to edit it for you all. SORRY!!!
Here's an interesting site that shows how to make your own dowellers.

**htl** · 29th August 2019, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Handyjack

Love the build.
I wonder how many cows you will catch with your cow catcher?

The wheel guides are called flanges.

A close friend used to own buffaloes, and I could have tried catching one of those but he quit messing with them as they have a mind of their own and can hardly be controlled.

**htl** · 29th August 2019, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by crowie

G'Day Bruce, You make it it so easy but in fact I know the skill & patience it takes to do the wheels so well; Top Marks Sir... Cheers, Peter

Crowie I may make it sound easy but just 4 years ago I would not be able to under stand let alone do some of the things I do every week building these models.
I have learned so much hanging around these model building sites picking up a tip here and there and combining them to build my projects.

**htl** · 31st August 2019, 07:21 AM

Worked on the front wheels and played with two different cow catchers.
IMG_6490.jpg IMG_6491.jpg IMG_6492.jpg IMG_6493.jpg IMG_6494.jpg IMG_6495.jpg IMG_6496.jpg IMG_6497.jpg IMG_6498.jpg IMG_6499.jpg IMG_6500.jpg IMG_6501.jpg IMG_6502.jpg IMG_6503.jpg IMG_6504.jpg IMG_6505.jpg

**crowie** · 31st August 2019, 08:46 PM

I like the simple clever way you did the “cow catchers” Bruce; well done sir!
cheers, Peter

**Keith_1** · 1st September 2019, 11:46 AM

Top work as always Bruce

Accidentally pushed Request for picture

Regards

Keith

**htl** · 3rd September 2019, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Keith_1

Accidentally pushed Request for picture

Regards

Keith

You want more pictures I got them. LOL!!!

Got the hand rails done and didn't like the front wheels I made way to modern looking so made some spokes, which as small as they are was a pain.
I got looking at the picture of the real General train and it has spoke wheels on the front.

IMG_6508.jpg IMG_6509.jpg IMG_6510.jpg IMG_6511.jpg IMG_6512.jpg civil-war-081.jpg

**Keith_1** · 9th September 2019, 11:11 AM

Thanks Bruce.

You are doing a great job

Regards

Keith

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