trying to build a live steamer NEED HELP!!!

garratt6042 · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Cronulla branchline

hey fellow bastards

I'm thinking about building a 5inch gauge ad60 garratt just wondering if anybody has any information ,measurements and such that would be helpful
in designing a slightly smaller version of this friggin massive loco that would be greatly appreciated.
Ive already arranged for 5mm thick 270mm diameter 316 grade stainless steel pressure vessel pipe at about 700mm long
which I can start a boiler with.
so like ive said above any help of any kind WILL be greatly appreciated as ive got nearly no idea other than the relative boiler size and a guesstimate of the loco's general dimenions.

Thanks fellas

PS: I'm only giving this particular live steam project a go as it seems to be a great (and expensive) challenge.

fireman dave · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject:

Tips

1: Join the nearest model engineering group.

2:start with something a little smaller and less complicated.
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Bwana · Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:12 am Post subject:

I'd be hitting the heritage groups. You could go to Thirlmere with a measuring tape, or seriously suck up to ARHS-ACT - they're doing up the real thing so may have diagrams and such they'd be willing to share.
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flathog · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 57

I wouldn't even bother attemtping to make an AD60 in 5" gauge just yet.
I know someone who has and they have said it was the stupidest thing they ever did as it was bloody difficult and time consuming.

I'd go with something a bit smaller and more manageable like a BlowFly, C30 or similar.

Tom

garratt6042 · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Cronulla branchline

thanks fellas for the replies
judging buy the replies something smaller good might be a good idea maybe stick to HO scale Smile

I'm just gonna start by building a boiler anyway just to see how I go
from that ill decide what type of loco would be easiest to build C30, C38,west Aus Vclass I dunno ill see how it goes
I'm planning to go and visit the illawarra live steam mob in wollongong on this sunday the 28th ill try to be there at around 9:30
just going for a look around and a chat to loco owners/builders

Also I'm a sheetmetal worker so marking out, welding, fabrication and laser cutting of most parts isn't a challenge its just the machined parts like
cylinders pistons and wheels that are the problem other than that I just need drawings.

if any of you lot are interested in meeting there pm me before saturday 8pm.

Again thanks for the help fellas

garratt6042 · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 14 Location: Cronulla branchline

was sorta considering something like this http://ils.org.au/Pegasus.shtml

flathog · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 57

Not a bad choice
Essentially just building two BlowFly's which are a fairly simple engine to make.

Tom