Building Small Steam Locomotives


Book Description

If you have an ambition to build a small live steam locomotive, but are daunted by the skills required, then this book is for you. Written in his clear and encouraging style, Peter Jones demystifies the whole process for those with little or no previous experience. Contents include: An explanation of terms; Basic metalworking processes; Step-by-step project guides; Machining; Boilermaking; Painting; and Finishing. Fully illustrated throughout with color photographs and drawings, and including appendices of suppliers and societies, this is an invaluable work for the railway modeler.




The Backyard Railroader


Book Description

Steam locomotives dominated the railways from the 1820s through the 1960s. Today almost all of them have been replaced with electric and diesel engines, yet the fascination surrounding steam-powered trains has not dwindled. A diverse community of enthusiasts--from mechanics to teachers to lawyers--have taken up the hobby of building and running steam locomotives in their own backyards. Drawing on the author's extensive experience and research, this guide covers the materials, tools, skills and technical information needed to get started or to improve an existing design.




Building a Portable Steam Engine


Book Description

This practical, instructional book describes the construction of a model of the Lampitt portable steam engine, which dates back to 1862, and which provided rotative power to drive threshing machines, circular saws, feed mills and other farm machinery. The construction of every component is described in precise detail and the text is supported by many helpful step-by-step photographs. In addition, useful advice is provided about obtaining materials and about the tools that are required to equip a model-engineering workshop. Accordingly, the information provided in this fascinating book will enable the reader to construct not only the Lampitt engine but also many other engineering models in the future. When the reader has finished building 'the Lampitt' he will, in effect, have completed an engineering apprenticeship, and will have a model engine of which he can be proud and which fully reveals the skills that he has learned. Fully illustrated with 142 step-by-step colour photographs.




Making Simple Model Steam Engines


Book Description

In this book long-time model maker Stan Bray describes the construction of a range of uncomplicated miniature steam engines, for construction by the model engineer.







A Passion for Steam


Book Description

"A Passion for Steam" describes how small scale, live-steam locomotives work in clear, understandable language. All systems are covered, including boilers, boiler fittings, burners, different fuels, valve gears, different cylinder types, and sundry variations. The second half of the book is a fascinating survey of nearly 100 miniature locomotives, scratchbuilt and commercial, that discusses what makes each one different from its fellows. The book is fully illustrated with hundreds of high-quality drawings and beautiful photographs.




Scratch-Building Model Railway Locomotives


Book Description

Have you ever dreamed of being able to make a beautiful model locomotive from scratch? Do you have a favourite locomotive that you would love to reproduce in model form? Are you itching to start such a project and feel you need a helping hand? If so, this is the book for you. Using step-by-step text and illustration, this new book demonstrates how to construct a model of a pleasing J15 class, 0-6-0 steam locomotive in 00 gauge. It also explains how models of other locomotives can be built by adapting the methods covered in the book. Alternative options for chassis construction, other gauges and scales are considered as well as how to build a simple diesel locomotive.




The Model Steam Locomotive


Book Description




Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive


Book Description

Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive documents the role played by mechanical engineers in the development of locomotive design. The steam engine and the mechanical engineering profession both grew directly out of the Industrial Revolution's need for sources of power beyond that of men and animals. Invented in England when coal mining was being developed, the practical steam engine eventually found numerous applications in transportation, especially in railroad technology. J. Parker Lamb traces the evolution of the steam engine from the early 1700s through the early 1800s, when the first locomotives were sent to the United States from England. Lamb then shifts the scene to the development of the American steam locomotive, first by numerous small builders, and later, by the early 20th century, by only three major enterprises and a handful of railroad company shops. Lamb reviews the steady progress of steam locomotive technology through its pinnacle during the 1930s, then discusses the reasons for its subsequent decline.




The American Steam Locomotive in the Twentieth Century


Book Description

Between 1900 and 1950, Americans built the most powerful steam locomotives of all time--enormous engines that powered a colossal industry. They were deceptively simple machines, yet, the more their technology was studied, the more obscure it became. Despite immense and sustained engineering efforts, steam locomotives remained grossly inefficient in their use of increasingly costly fuel and labor. In the end, they baffled their masters and, as soon as diesel-electric technology provided an alternative, steam locomotives disappeared from American railroads. Drawing on the work of eminent engineers and railroad managers of the day, this lavishly illustrated history chronicles the challenges, triumphs and failures of American steam locomotive development and operation.