Adams T3

[Thirtysecond]

The next big project has just started. Chris Tolhurst and I are building an Adams T3 each. Let's face it; one of the most beautiful locomotives EVER!

They will be in 1/32, have scale working cabs and be dual fired, coal and meths.



The first thing to do with any build like this is get hold of works drawings and this I have now done. Mark Wood is doing patterns for the wheelset in 1/32.



Chris has now started transcribing the GA measurements into the many CAD files necessary for definition of laser cuts, design of motion work etc.



Before we get to that stage however, loads of mundane items can be cut, milled, drilled and tapped. These include axle and hand pumps, stretchers, non-return valves etc.

If anybody is interested I will post occasionally with updates.

 

[Steph Dale]

Hmm. If the wheels are being done, I'll have to see if our kit could be blown up. I could fancy a T3 in 1:32...

It'll be interesting to see one of the inspirational Tolhurst models take shape; I look forward to watching your progress.

Steph

 

[Dikitriki]

Hmm. If the wheels are being done, I'll have to see if our kit could be blown up.
Steph

Please sir, please sir, can I do the test build?

 

[Steph Dale]

Please sir, please sir, can I do the test build?

Nope.

Steph

 

[Thirtysecond]

After conversations with Mark Woods I reckon we will get the wheel castings around summertime 2019.

 

[Thirtysecond]

Picking up the Mark Wood wheel castings this week so doubtless Chris and I will start machining on Thursday.

Also boiler now designed, so that building those will also be a priority:

 

[Mike W]

If anybody is interested I will post occasionally with updates.

I don't model G1 at all, but yes please, very interested. Don't think I have heard of dual firing before, which is also interesting.

Mike

 

[Peter Cross]

Hmm. If the wheels are being done, I'll have to see if our kit could be blown up. I could fancy a T3 in 1:32...

It'll be interesting to see one of the inspirational Tolhurst models take shape; I look forward to watching your progress.

Steph

Do they blow up to 1/32?

 

[David Halfpenny]

Don't think I have heard of dual firing before, which is also interesting.

Oh yes, Mike, it goes back at least to the Mamod Steam Railway, where the two fuels were used simultaneous, being 'solid alcohol' tablets heaped high with spent matches ;-)

 

[Steph Dale]

Do they blow up to 1/32?

Not easily, no. Doesn't mean they can't be though.

Steph

 

[SimonT]

I thought we had agreed not to open the 1/32 box.

 

[Mike W]

But perhaps it would blow up to 1:22.6?

 

[Steph Dale]

I thought we had agreed not to open the 1/32 box.

One reason the answer was 'not easily'...

Steph

 

[Thirtysecond]

Mark Wood wheelsets have arrived. This is the first time I have turned wheels (admittedly under the watchful eye of the master, Chris Tolhurst). Its a surprisingly time consuming business. It took a whole day to face off and put in a holding step for 50 wheels. Only one casting with an air hole presented any problems. I let Chris sort that out!!

On Monday we shall hope to finish them off!!

 

[David Halfpenny]

Hmm, air holes - until 1880, I understand people used Beaumont's Egg.

Actually, given there's such a thing as a Learning Curve, I think you've made good going

David

 

[Ian@StEnochs]

Hmm, air holes - until 1880, I understand people used Beaumont's Egg.

Actually, given there's such a thing as a Learning Curve, I think you've made good going

David

Yes used extensively in faulty castings on the original Tay bridge!

I have successfully filled blow holes in wheel castings, 7mm scale, with a mixture of cast iron fillings and epoxy resin. The filings came from the casting spigot on one of the casts mixed to a butter like consistency with Araldite original. I warmed the wheel and pushed the paste into the void, the heat making it runny and easier to stuff in. When fully cured I turned and profiled the wheel as normal and despite the hole being on the tread it is invisible and still running today.

Ian.

 

[Thirtysecond]

More wheel turning today. Almost finished the 50+ wheels!

Also took time to drill and tap some temporary frames and end stretchers. These disposable Brass frames will be used for working out where all the mounting holes need to be placed (cylinders, horns, smokebox saddle. brake hangers etc). The actual frames will be in laser cut Steel. There's hardly a straight line on these frames and I do wonder how they marked up and cut out such complex shapes of full size frames in the 1890's.

There are some difficult design decisions to be made which the temp frames will help with when all the "bits" are mounted. In its earliest form the locomotive had piston tails AND splashers on the bogie wheels. Those would be lovely to reproduce in miniature but because of the G1MRA back to back standard it limits the radii that can be accommodated before splashers hit piston tail. It may be we have to go with one or the other but that would be a shame if we can possibly get around the problem!

 

[Thirtysecond]

Prototype frames now have wheels and cylinders. We've decided to build a working prototype as clearances and the amount of "stuff" to get into available space is going to be critical. Note the cylinders are just in "block" form and are still to be properly profiled.

 

[Thirtysecond]

Prototype tender chassis.

I know its not very exciting to look at at the moment but this Brass prototype is crucial to us getting everything packed into the tender for the production models. Its a small tender but needs to contain water level electronics and battery, the pressure gauge, and all the usual tender tanks and pump plus an enots valve. Space is at a premium. Points to note:

Axles will be sprung but don't need to be on the prototype.

The three large holes are:

Front and rear; balance holes for water in front and rear tanks through the well tank
Centre; Meths sump (inside well tank)​

The five small holes are:

Two holes drilled in wrong place!!!
Supply FROM well tank to hand pump
Output high pressure from hand pump THROUGH well tank
Input THROUGH well tank for water return from axle pump
​

Pipework yet to be installed both from well tank and Meths sump plus return from by-pass.

 

[Thirtysecond]

Progress on prototype T3 to 4/8/19

Loco

Chris has finished fabricating the loco's Stephensons valve gear and is now milling ports in the cylinders



The tender body is taking shape. Just to reiterate, this is a prototype to test layout and practicality so has no detail whatsoever, not even coal raves. In the rear water tank is the hand pump, and enots valve input and the axle pump return pipe (a tight fit!) The rear and front tanks are connected via the well tank. The centre space takes the Meths tank but is also connected to the well tank. In the photo above that connection is plugged so that water cannot enter the chamber for Meths running. When running on coal a vented water tank is plugged into the same hole as the blank plug giving extra water capacity.