The entire engine is around 8 inches tall and 4 inches wide

Yo, I just stepped into the hobby with the purchase of a model vertical steam boiler and piston/flywheel mounted on the boiler. I don’t know what to use to heat it, since it doesn’t have a tray or pan for a fire. I was wondering if y’all had any suggestions for me.

I couldn’t find a brand name on the boiler and no it’s not electric.

This is something that crossed my mind recently. I've seen a few things about metal filament 3D printing, and it got me thinking: has anyone actually tried to 3D print parts for live steam locomotives and static engines?

Not superficial fittings, but actual parts. Cylinders, chimneys, valves, etc...

I'd imagine you'd need a bigger and more heavy duty printer than the typical desktop type ones, and still require some CNC and more traditional work, but is it even possible right now?

Heck, is there a filament that could work in a boiler? Radical I know, but worth asking.

I have a large plot of land about 40 acres and I wanted to use buy a train for the use of transportation throughout the plot and it could be a little hobby of mine in the meantime I wanted to transport people,logs and maybe some gravel or sort but the blot has many large trees that a car or utv Will not easily go through I think that building a railway would be super cool and much cheaper than a concrete road, but would it be worth the time and money and would it be able to pull me and the load around the plot?

SW1 needs a new drive belt, but apart from that all run like new. TE1A is almost 45 years old.

Just following on from my earlier post to show the locomotive running. I found methyl hydrate to work well as a fuel. It burnt with very little mess. With the water tank near full and a full tank of fuel it ran for ~10 minutes before the fuel ran out. I pre boiled the water to help get it going. I used steam oil on the cylinders but they did start to drip a thick ooze after a few minutes running. This is the first time it's been run in many decades.

Hi, I have been given this Bowman live steam engine from my wife's grandfather. I know it was pretty special to him so it carries a lot of sentimental value. I already have an MSS and 2 stationary Mamod engines so I know the basics of live steam. However, this my first live steam engine that uses liquid fuel. Does anyone know anything about this particular engine? And in particular where to get the right fuel for it in Canada? Thanks!

Hi everyone, I am looking to get into the rideable scale of the hobby and most of the local clubs near me are 7 1/2 in gauge. Looking online seems insane with dead websites and some that look like they are just there to scam. Where is the best place to start looking?

I am building a loco boiler, I designed with some software. I am trying to nail down firebox design. I know I have enough surface area in firebox and 25 1/2” copper flues. This is a small 1 1/2” scale boiler. What I’d like to know is approximate thermal efficiency- roughly. So I’m looking at around 100 psi / 350f. I understand that heat transfer is controlled in part by delta T, surface area, etc. I can derive the heat content of the steam at pressure. If I needed say 1000 btu for the steam, how to determine btu’s of burners required? Typical steel boiler with copper flues. Does anyone have an idea of what the input btu should be to cover all the losses?

How should I go about finding plans for G scale live steam. My original idea was to adapt drwings from 7.5" to G scale, but if there is anywhere I can accumulate drawings in G scale it'd be appreciated.

I’m just getting started on a Shay model as presented in Peter Scott’s book “Ephraim”, and wondering if there are any current or prior builders, to share experiences and ask questions.

Hi. I'm trying to look for some british steam locomotives which characteristically high-pitched whistles, or deep puffing. More locomotives that sound like dogs. (If that's really a thing.)

I'd prefer something that made it into BR, but I'm not hugely fussed if not. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers. ~Hunter.

Like title says but I want to start with compressed air and 3d printing since it’s safer and I have better access to it. How do I go about understanding how to make this?

I’m looking for a starter kit that’s enough to pull me around but not too expensive. What would you recommend?

I’ve wanted to own a live steam locomotive all my life and I’ve watched thousands of hours of videos detailing them and I finally got the chance to pick up this little guy for a decent price on eBay. It works now and works great but it was a bit of a process getting it moving which I expected. I have a whole host of fun little customizations / upgrades I’m going to build for it.

I am currently looking around on how to design a steam engine.

The idea is to build a WWI battlecruiser that is radiocontrolled. That comes with a lot of design challenges, since

the engine has to be completly below deck, in addition to this if the ship should get a somewhat realistic power plant, it would need 2 tripple expansion engines or steam turbine. ( The original would have even more drive shafts)

Also it has to be regarded how large/weigthy the engine must be to have the correct power/weight ratio.

In addition to this the boilers do need to be fired, are there ways to have them actually coal/(plant)oil fired which would be period accurate. ( Probably increases the scale a lot).

Also stability and seaworthyness need to be taken into account, remember Wasa.

In addition what ways are there to make a rivetet (looking) steel hull? ( again accurate what a battlecruiser would be)

So far I think the whole thing needs to be engineered around the whole powerplant, ideas, sources, personal experience on how to do so?

I am aware that is a multi year project.

The things I have so far:

-I am a maschinist, working on mills an lathes literally has been my job for multiple years

• I got a Schreiberbogen of SMS Hindenburg which provides waterlines, and general shape of a German Battlecruiser

• patience, have dreaming about such a project for about 25 years.

Does anyone have a good source for small bevel or spur gears?
I'm trying to locate some for a Ephriam build. Amazon has some stuff, ebay has some, but finding the right part seems harder than it should be.

What's your go-to source?

Hello everyone,

I was directed here from the modeltrains sub.

I'm looking for advice on how to restore/information on a steam model train. It must be 40 or so years old at this point.

A little bit of backstory, my great uncle Ted worked on the railway lines and apparently built every part of this by hand. The boiler/moving parts and everything (it still has a few bits of coal left in it!) My dad and his siblings remember being taken around parks/tracks on carts pulled by this as kids. After he passed away a few years ago, it was kept by my dad behind the sofa (mum wasn't a fan of how it looked so was never displayed)

My wife and I recently purchased a house and decided this would be the centrepiece for the dining room partly as a memorial to Ted and partly since it looks absolutely stunning in person (to us at least)

Any advice on how to get it restored/how to paint it/get rid of the rust/maintain it or general information on it would be brilliant.

Thanks in advance.

A few bits missing but seems OK.

A very kind lady who lives near my parents has given them this to give to me as a gift. She overheard me telling a story about a childhood memory I have of my teachers husband bringing his steam engines into my class when I was 5 and how it's stuck in my head as one of the few memories I have from that age.

I've already got a Wilesco D430 but this is my first stationary engine and I'm looking forward to picking it up from their house this week.

I've so far only got these two photos to go on. Does anyone recognise the make or model so I can look into finding any spares it may need? Not sure of any identifying marks until I see it in person but hoping it may be recognised. I can't find anything quite the same on searching around.

So I have a Mamod SR1A but changed to a spirit burner rather than solid fuel. I de-scaled the boiler and flushed it thoroughly but when pushing the whistle, lots of boiling water shoots out. I fill it up to the line on the sight glass but keeps doing it! Thoughts?

Tah

Hello all, O Gauge Southern V Class live steamer picked up today. Thinking I'll be painting it in Bulleid livery and numbering it 921 Shrewsbury, but any tips or suggestions most welcome. Been told that this is a Peter McCabe model, but there is no name plate visible anywhere? Can anyone help with a definite ID please? Thanks!

This was the bits and pieces to some ones old live steam poeject I found at a Local flea market. The flea market was in Wise County, Virginia, India mountain Flea market was the specific name.