Adams T3

[Thirtysecond]

Working on the backhead now. Added glasses to water gauges with cuts in the back of the rod to represent the water tubes.




Levers too long. I've chopped those. Copper pipework now being added. Water gauge drains still to do (today if I have time). Update; yes I had time!

 

[Thirtysecond]

Now steamed on both Meths and coal. Meths - easy peasy, Coal - still on learning curve but we'll get there!

 

[P A D]

Working on the backhead now. Added glasses to water gauges with cuts in the back of the rod to represent the water tubes.

The water gauges look good and the cut seems to work as well as drilling through. I'll give that a go next time as I think it will be easier than drilling, especially in 7mm scale.

Fantastic model by the way.

Cheers,
Peter

 

[Thirtysecond]

Just realised I haven't reported in for almost 3 years!!!!! Well the bad news is that we still haven't finished the run of 5 production locos but we are not far away. There are now boxes and boxes of machined and fabricated parts but the main delay at the moment is the Brass etch sheets which should arrive any day.

The Steel laser cuts have all been cut out, machined, drilled and reamed where necessary, and assembled. Here is an example:

25 Eccentric straps.



Coupling rods being fluted:








Boilers built and hydraulically tested (only 4 as the prototype will provide the fifth):

:

And a host of items fabricated in Brass. For example Buffer stocks (not yet washed to remove oil and swarf:




I will try and post more regularly in future. It definitely will not be another 3 years!!

 

[David Waite]

Hi Thirtysecond
I have just read through your Adams T3 build, I must say “absolutely Outstanding workmanship“.
David.

 

[Thirtysecond]

The Brass etch sheets have arrived (3 for each loco) 15 sheets in all. Every item now needs removing and the tabs linished or filed off. I have been at it off and on for two weeks now and am gradually getting there.

One of the 15 etches ( tender etch).........



.....becomes a tray of parts

 

[Thirtysecond]

Construction now seriously under way. Meths tanks and auxiliary water tanks complete and tender structure has begun.

 

[Thirtysecond]

Progress on tenders. Basic construction complete but loads of detail to add.

 

[Thirtysecond]

Details added to tender body rears including lamp sockets, tool box hinges and handles, handrails and vac pipes. Work commencing on frames adding horns, springs and axleboxes.

 

[Thirtysecond]

5 reversers and a spare scratch-built by Chris T.

 

[Thirtysecond]

TENDER PROGRESS
Tenders finished. All left in pieces for painting but one put together as a test construction. Brakes, stretchers and sand boxes not necessary and not added.

 

[Thirtysecond]

LOCO PROGRESS

All sub assemblies complete so just the task of putting one together as a test.

 

[Thirtysecond]

There are three lamp sockets on the front of the smokebox all of which need to be riveted on (2 rivets per lamp socket). So how to get these sockets in exactly the right place on 5 locos? A jig obviously. Chris made up this jig from a 2" bar of Brass in about 25 minutes. It would have taken me hours if not a whole afternoon!

 

[Thirtysecond]

The first trial build is now complete ready for the Gauge One AGM next week in Swindon. All unpainted of course as this is a test build to sort any issues before assembly starts in earnest. Everything will be stripped down after steam testing for painting, lining and reassembly.






We have also created accessory boxes to house the firing cassettes and associated tools.

 

[michael mott]

Stunning work, I wish I was closer

 

[Bigjohn]

Very nice, clean and compact - the copper tube bending is exemplary. Unfortunately it raises a few questions - sorry. So it appears that although a couple of tubes are filled with superheater elements it seems that a couple seemed to be blanked off with brass plates and some have blanks bolted in with a ptfe washers - what is the purpose of these? Many thanks.

 

[Bigjohn]

A small question. The Adam’s radials had no plate work in front of the smoke box. The Lyme billy was often returned to Axminster with planking left in place when fitters attended to maintenance at Exeter. Was this not common to Adam’s locos?
Congrats on the superb build
John