Thread: Stephenson's Rocket

Originally Posted by Benny_

Wow, it looks great Keith! Looks like it’s a little over half way done...

Thanks Benny.

Not quite half way yet. I think I will be on this loco until nearly Christmas

Regards

Keith

Originally Posted by keith_1

thanks benny.

Not quite half way yet. I think i will be on this loco until nearly christmas

Regards

keith

christmas in july????

Originally Posted by crowie

christmas in july????

I don't think so Peter

It will be finished before Christmas. Not sure which year yet though.
Unlike the Stephensons' you do not have a trial to get to.
Keep up the good work and high standard.

Originally Posted by Keith_1

I don't think so Peter

And why not Keith you have summer at Christmas

Originally Posted by Keith_1

Attachment 429899 Attachment 429900

Hi Keith
I think the Rocket would look more powerful / purposeful if the connecting rods were positioned in a way that neither rod was at top or bottom dead centre.

Originally Posted by ian

Hi Keith
I think the Rocket would look more powerful / purposeful if the connecting rods were positioned in a way that neither rod was at top or bottom dead centre.

Thanks Ian,

We can do that easily

Regards

Keith

ian I went back and looked at the last pictures and see what you mean.
My designer mind wants it straight up and down or in line but it does give it a feel of motion your way.

Hi All,

I have been working on the regulator for controlling the flow of steam from the boiler and the connecting pipework that feed into the left and right hand cylinders.

The biggest issue was bending the pipework from the regulator to the steam inlet flanges as they are impacted upon by the cylinders support brackets. I used solid round PVC as my "pipe" and used a hot air gun the get the PVC into it's semi plastic state to allow me to bend the "Pipework".

62.jpg 63.jpg

The worst part was getting each side pretty much the same. There were about 5 goes (all in rubbish bin) before I got the second one relatively similar to the first.
This is the problem when you get 2 parts the same sitting beside each other - they need to look pretty similar.

The body of the regulator is turned pine in the wood lathe. I drilled a hole through the regulator so the "pipework" is a sliding fit the the body of the regulator. This gives me a bit of play when attaching the pipe and regulator to the cylinder inlet flanges.

The double flanges on each side of the regulator are made out of MDF and the gasket between the flanges is some thin cardboard.

The guide for the regulator handle is made of Tassie Oak. The Regulator handle is made from aluminium flat bar and I machined the end of the handle out of 6.3mm aluminium round.

Below are a couple of views of the Regulator valve.

Next step will be to make up the Crosshead-driven water feed pump pipework that is situated at the top of the right hand cylinder.

Regards

Keith

72.jpg 73.jpg

Keith, I can see why the pipe work with all the bends was so hard to get right. Just as well you did not need to make a working valve.
Not sure of the historical/period accuracy of hex nuts on the flanges, I would have expected to see square nuts as on your back plate.

You are sure bringing to life an interesting and historic machine.

Hi Kevin,

Yeah - I reckon you are correct about the hexagon heads. Although some of the photos of the 1935 Replica in the Museum in York show some hexagon head bolts and nuts (particularly on the cylinder slides). I will keep using the hexagon heads on the majority of smaller items but try and use square heads on the major standout items. Thanks for your comments and interest

Regards

Keith

Keith, Remember the "Bog Master";
all things can be hidden or disguised with a good layer of plastic body filler.....
Cheers, Peter

Thanks Peter,

I won't tell you what's been hidden already

regards

Keith

Originally Posted by Keith_1

Thanks Peter,

I won't tell you what's been hidden already

regards

Keith

Are you trying to tell us this is really a plastic model you bought at the toy store and your souping it up, tell me it's not so!!!