Hello Everyone,
I am building a Steam Logging Loco in Fn3 (1:20.3) scale for an overseas customer.
The prototype is a Vertical boiler Steam engine of American Narrow gauge (36") that worked on Logging lines in the US & Canada prior to WWI.
Model specs:
1. All brass & Steel construction
2. Use of scale actual miniature rivets on the boiler
3. 2-rail Track power for 24v DC operation
4. Fn3 standard profile wheels
5. prototypical couplers and chassis frame
6. power and pickups on both wheels
7. for 45mm gauge track
8. Scale 1:20.3

Build progress:
-started off by preparing scale drawings from measurements & photos of the preserved prototype sent in by the customer
-formed the 'U' section 4mm X 4mm X 4mm brass angles using the press brake for the chassis frame
-milled a steel jig for soldering the chassis frame
-silver soldered the chassis frame using the jig as a guide
-cut out gussets from 0.6mm brass shims,drilled rivet holes in them
-used 1.8mm X 8mm solid copper rivets
-filed the gussets to shape and riveted them at the joints on the chassis frame.
-next turned the boiler shell from 2mm thick 28mm o/d brass pipe on the lathe
-turned the smoke stack and boiler top as two seperate parts and silver soldered them
-marked out and drilled all the holes on the boiler shell for the plumbing and rivets
-used the copper rivets to attach the boiler shell to the top assembly and soft soldered in place
more as I proceed.
Regards
Nilanjan paul
www.pline.in

some more photos of the work done so far.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul
www.pline.in

What will it look like when completed? Any pictures?

Hello VC
here is the photo of the preserved prototype, should look 20.3 times smaller than this when complete.
regards
nilanjan

wow! its powered?

Yes when complete it will be 24v DC 2-rail track powered with a single 24v PM 5-pole motor & gear drives on both axles using my standard 2 stage 1:34 phospher bronze worm/gear  & bevel gears.
regards
nilanjan

Turned the axle boxes from 4.8mm square brass stock this afternoon on my good ol "Hero" bench lathe.
The dummy bearing hub covers on the axle boxes are 3.5mm in dia with a 2.5mm dia drill hole through them to accommodate the axle shaft ends.
Next step would be to mill out the horn blocks from 1mm thk brass sheet.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

where did you get the steam fittings from . ( is there a sight glass, pressure gauge , any globe valves )



ps : i love steam engines , and the trains you built are super cool.

You've got to be from Bengal or Assam to understand my views on Pline's builds:

Phata Phati!

Sorry but I do not possess the linguistic skills to translate this accurately into English. Loosely it would be "Explosive!"

@sappanavic
Sir,
I am a manufacturer of live steam locos, custom made copper boilers and steam fittings.
regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

@ vc PHATA PHATI!

Ps: I'm from Calcutta

Sent from a potato using a lamp

Milled the horn blocks earlier in the day from 1.5mm thick brass sheet.
Here they are all 4 stacked together
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

Aniket, nice to know that you are from Kolkata. Pline@ Nilanjan is Bengal's pride. His contribution to Railway modelling is exemplary, internationally, to say the least. I am overawed.

Formed the headlamp brackets last Friday afternoon from 0.6mm thick brass shims and used the mini press brake to fold them.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

turned some wheel blanks from Stainless steel grade 316 stock of 24mm dia.
used a high carbide tool bit to cut the wheel profile as per G1MRA http://www.g1mra.com/ wheel standards.
Then marked the reverse faces of the wheel blanks for the 4mm dia spoke pockets, which I will drill out on a radial drill and then use my lathe chuck & tail stock to drill the 2.5mm axle hole through the wheel hub, ofcourse there will be a tight fit delrin bush to insulate the axle.

Regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

Made further progress with the Logging car.
drilled the spoke pockets and inserted delrin insulation bushings on the stainless steel wheels.
soldered and riveted the axle box frames to the chassis frames, and then soldered the "hat" shaped horn blocks into the axle box frames and inserted the axle boxes into position prior to housing the 2.5mm dia spring steel axle ends.
regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

Great Nilanjan. I am following this with much interest, and enjoyment

Sorted out the 2 stage drive mechanisms today. The motors are 24v DC and the reduction drive is 1:24
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

Open gears? No housing?

Sir,
Since you mentioned it will have to think about a suitable gear box for the production versions, once I have the prototypes running.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

Good for packing in grease and general protection

Hello Everyone,
I now have the gear box and motor mount brackets secured into position using brass M2 screws as well as some soft solder. Once the design passes the in-house track tests, I will decide on which of the 2 method to use for fixing the motor brackets into position on the production version of the model.
By the way I tried something different this time, after suggestions from an European customer of mine to fix the brass gears/worms to the spring steel shafts, instead of soldering them as I have done until now, used medium grade loctite 603 retainer compound, along with its recommended surface activator compound.

Power tested the rolling chassis on 12v dc(half power), the completed model is intended for 24v dc. Seated the gear box by running the rolling chassis at half power in both directions for 30min, and kept adding light machine oil to all bearings, axle ends and gears through out the process.

Here is the link to the test video:



Regards
Paul Nilanjan

Most of the metal work is now complete.
will install the carbon brush electrical pickups on to the frame.
Also on the list are scale wooden seats like those on the prototype, before getting started with the paint job.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

Have wired the models and have attached the balsa seats.
some photos.
Note: the 2 yellow wires are for the head lamp that I will be installing post the paint job.

Also will post a video of the track test of the models tomorrow.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

www.pline.in

Here is the link to the track test video of the model.



apologise the poor video quality.
regards
nilanjan paul

www.pline.in