Isaac Dixon

[spikey faz]

I've been toying with the idea of installing some sort of inside valve gear, mainly to fill in what would otherwise be an open space. Now, I'm not an expert on this sort of thing, but a friend was using some sort of AI on his computer and he produced these images for me.


I think I'll do more research!

Mike

 

[simond]

Looks like a few engineers’ jobs are safe for another year.

 

[Dangerous Davies]

The images in post #41look like a design cross between W Heath-Robinson and Roland Emmett!

 

[spikey faz]

I've been researching! I think I've got my head around how Stephensons inside valve-gear works. In any case I'm only going to try and model the bits that can be easily seen. As I have only the one sketch of Isaac Dixon to go from plus the rather hazy photo of the sister engine, I'm having (as usual) to improvise.

I firstly need to establish the position for the lifting arm. Hmm. The drill bit in the photos below indicate my best guesses.



Mike

 

[Pete McFarlane]

I've encountered some problems with the wheels. One of them has become a bit loose on its axle. Another has developed an alarming wobble, and on closer inspection I can that the centre hub has split. Not sure why, but I'm not sure how to proceed now.

The solution to the Gibson wheels shifting is to pin them in place - drill a 0.5MM hole through the boss into the steel axle, and superglue a length of wire into it (then trim when the glue is set). That stops them from moving.

Nice to see a model of one of Boulton's engines. I'm always amused by some of the imaginary Steam Punk machines that people dream up, as they always seem fairly tame compred with the contraptions that came out of Boulton's sidings.

 

[spikey faz]

Hi Pete.
I'm hoping that the replacement wheels I've got will be better. I think I may have rushed the preparation on the first set, hence the problems I encountered. I can use the old set to line things up without worrying too much about them wobbling or slipping. Then use the replacement set for final assembly. Or at least that's the plan!

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

I've made a start on the inside valve-gear. I suspect that assembling wristwatch mechanisms would be easier , but I'm determined to get something installed. I am vaguely looking at making it work as well! If all else fails at least it'll look ok as a static piece.



Mike

 

[spikey faz]

Made a start on the buffer beams. So, half an hour of cutting and riveting has got me thus far.


In the meantime I found that the recently installed reversing-gear cross-shaft clouted the underside of the boiler. So the shaft had to be repositioned. I'm not convinced I have the skills or eyesight to make the inside valve-gear work now.

Mike

 

[Richard Gawler]

A friend built a set of working inside valve gear, and afterwards realised it is just a blur when the loco is running. Something every loco builder wants to build, but rarely more than once

 

[spikey faz]

I've since found a plan for the very similar looking Hughes & Co locomotive 'Nantmawr' in the Oakwood Press book 'Boultons Sidings including Contractors Locomotives'. This appears to not have the frame cutouts, thus potentially negating the modelling of inside valve-gear. But, I am where I am, so I'll plod on and see what happens.

Mike

 

[spikey faz]

Smokebox door is a best guess!


Rear cab rails now in place.


And the sole brake block assembled.


Mike

 

[john lewsey]

Looks good to me

 

[spikey faz]

Got the brake and associated operating gear finished.



I've also added some detail to the smokebox front.


Mike

 

[Rob R]

That looks a jolly useful little etch.

 

[spikey faz]

That looks a jolly useful little etch.

Hesketh Scale Models

 

[spikey faz]

I know I was hoping to have the inside valve-gear actually working, but I'm afraid it proved too much for my brain and eyes to accomplish. So here's the work in progress static version.



Mike

 

[spikey faz]

Currently the cab controls are a blank canvas, so I'd appreciate any suggestions on how to proceed.



Closer inspection of the drawing makes me think there's a couple of sight-gauges. The throttle appears to be a pull-out type. But these are my best guesses!

Mike

 

[Osgood]

Might be a top and bottom cock for one sloping (45 deg?) sight gauge?

 

[spikey faz]

Might be a top and bottom cock for one sloping (45 deg?) sight gauge?

View attachment 231856

That's pretty much my thinking.

I've also been mocking up the water tank to try and get the proportions right.

The height accords with the published drawing, but the width is yet another guess!


I think it may look better if the top edge is rounded off a bit. Maybe lop a millimetre off the width as well?

Mike

 

[James Spooner]

I don’t really know when gauge glasses were introduced (presumably when toughened glass was perfected as a production process?) so wonder whether an early loco like that would just have had a couple of try cocks? Even on the Ffestiniog’s Alco, when it first came to the railway (and was fitted with a gauge glass), there were three try cocks in a 45 degree slope with a tray to catch boiling water.

Nigel