UP 4-12-2 Build

[Leggy]

Count me in as someone who's planning on running 200-300 car ore trains over a rather long and sometimes close to 3% grade mainline...trains are meant to be run and admired in their natural environment on the rails, not a shelf imo.

[superturbine]

I for one have serious doubts that I will ever wear out this engine once finished, but if it does need servicing/repair I will be able to do it.  In addition, as stated before, this is the pilot engine. My next three engines will likely have Faulhaber gear head motors (that I will also likely epoxy in).  Thanks for the comments, I believe the point...... long ago..... was clear.

[superduperchief]

Engine looks great. I also epoxy motors. I just use a soldering iron to heat the epoxy and then cut.
But, who am I to preach. I solder turnouts!!
John,

[DKS]

I'd have no qualms about bonding a motor in place. The extra effort to make it removable, versus the extra effort to remove it on the off-chance it needed replacement, are likely a wash.

[superturbine]

I'd have no qualms about bonding a motor in place. The extra effort to make it removable, versus the extra effort to remove it on the off-chance it needed replacement, are likely a wash.

***smartest reply yet*****!!!!!

[peteski]

I am (one of the few?) who performs regular maintenance on my (and my friend's) locomotives.  I fully disassemble them, and give every mechanical part thorough cleaning (in ultrasonic cleaner) and a complete lube job upon reassembly.  I often even remove all the gears from the trucks. This maintenance includes dunking the motor in the cleaner bath.  This not only cleans the bearings but also does a good job of washing out the conductive brush dust from the commutator area. 

Having a model where I couldn't pull the motor out (or disassemble the mechanism) would make me very uncomfortable. I know this is a bit obsessive but it is harmless.    Thhat is the reason I'm such a strong preacher for making mechanisms which give easy access to all the mechanical parts.

[John]

Boiler progress.....

A casting of the sand dome was made and "shrank" down using the HydoShrink meathod (this was done months ago).  The sand dome is installed cab ruffed in and new steam dome installed.

what's hydoshrink method?

[superturbine]

what's hydoshrink method?

Hydospan is a urethane that shrinks in proportion directly related to the amount of water mixed.  In retains it form as it’s reduced in size. 

http://www.industrialpolymers.com/category/product-list/hydrospan-400-shrinking-resin/

[Ian MacMillan]

what's hydoshrink method?

We talked about it a while back:...along with the required thread drift
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=23016.msg220153#msg220153

I've yet to try it but it seems interesting.

I am (one of the few?) who performs regular maintenance on my (and my friend's) locomotives.  I fully disassemble them, and give every mechanical part thorough cleaning (in ultrasonic cleaner) and a complete lube job upon reassembly.  I often even remove all the gears from the trucks. This maintenance includes dunking the motor in the cleaner bath.  This not only cleans the bearings but also does a good job of washing out the conductive brush dust from the commutator area. 

Having a model where I couldn't pull the motor out (or disassemble the mechanism) would make me very uncomfortable. I know this is a bit obsessive but it is harmless.    Thhat is the reason I'm such a strong preacher for making mechanisms which give easy access to all the mechanical parts.

Yes, but Jason has explained his reasoning for permanent mounting of the motor. Seems to work for him based on his skills of building. I on the other hand would have to make an easily removable motor because my motive power building is less than within tolerance so something would either bind and break, or wear out faster than anything. But he has stated his reasons, so we can move on from this dead horse.

[pennsyfan1361]

But he has stated his reasons, so we can move on from this dead horse. Please Do.  Rich

[Cajonpassfan]

+1 PLEEZ

[Ian MacMillan]

Ok the +1ings of the move on is kinda beating a dead horse as well. 

[Lemosteam]

And now back to the regularly scheduled thread...

Jason is the third driver one tooth off? It looks a little out of phase.  Also which driver(s) are traction tire if any?  I assume you are going to load this baby up with weight?

[superturbine]

And now back to the regularly scheduled thread...

Jason is the third driver one tooth off? It looks a little out of phase.  Also which driver(s) are traction tire if any?  I assume you are going to load this baby up with weight?

Ah... Yes, good catch... The 4th driver  appears to be 2 teeth off.  The fourth driver has a traction tire.  And the the 1, 3(crank) 5, 6 have rod pins.  I did consider making the 5th driver a traction tire driver also. But decided against it...... At least not on this engine yet.  As for weight I will be adding a LOT of tungsten putty. 

[superturbine]

After much comparing...
I decided to reduce the boiler length to properly fit the mechanism.  The firebox did not proper cover the last driver and the cab was behind the trailing truck instead of more above it.  So I decided the best place to remove boiler length was between the steam dome and the cab.  Luckily the boiler in between this area has zero change in diameter.  After cutting and re-securing the boiler sections the walkways were cut and reshaped and reinstalled.    You can see hear roughly the amount of material removed from the boiler.

Joint is right at a boiler band.  I think the boiler band just ahead of the splice will be removed. The splice location right at the boiler band to hind the splice.  So what you are seeing is mostly boiler band not a horrible splice job.  Flaws to the side of the sand dome will be cover by sanding pipes and sanding pipe cover. Still much work to go on the boiler.... Primer helps identify flaws.

Jason Smith