Tich - first build

Hi All,

Beginner here, where to start?

I have a Tich, which I got after its owner sadly passed away. Photos attached, it is in a reasonably advanced stage of construction. The center eccentric and axle pump are not there and the cylinder front covers are required. There are some odds and ends which are also needed. There is a cab with roof and one side tank and some new parts as well.

I have an ML7, which I'm currently brining back to life and cleaned. I also have a Juliet castings set, but the Tich is much further on and I would like to finish this first. Pic below:

Cab and Tank

The question is, where do I start?!!

I would like to take it apart to clean off the surface rust, but the parts are all push fitted, how do I take them apart? For example the wheels are pushed on the axles, do you use heat to take them off?

Should I buy a boiler, or boiler kit or self source the parts or copper....?

How should I proceed?

Thanks All

Looks like you've got a good start there! Try and get hold of the book for Tich by LBSC, which should be a great guide to help you along - I think it's something along the lines of "Simple Model Locomotive Building - Tich". You can also get other castings, parts etc from various suppliers such as GLR Kennions, GS Supplies, Reeves and Blackgates. I'd recommend shopping around between all of them to find the best price though!

Regarding taking the bits apart, I wouldn't take the wheels off the axles necessarily as they might be quartered and keyed (can't see from the photo). If you dropped the wheelsets out of the frame, you should get enough access to clean rust off the parts as various assemblies - If you've got a lathe, an easy way is to put the wheelsets up between centres and clean them up with a fine emery or scotchbrite. Try and cover your bedways up though if you do!

If you get hold of the book, I think it would give you a better picture if you want to build the boiler yourself or not - Entirely up to you!

Cheers,
Exmoor

I have a Tich, and it's my favourite locomotive by far. Not easy to fire, but when you get the knack of it, much more fun than loping along on a large locomotive!

What would I do? Finish the cylinders, work on the valve gear, and get her running under compressed air. There are still lots of parts to make, but take it one step at a time, and complete something ("look, a cylinder!" and put it aside and complete something else ("wow! A water pump eccentric strap and piston!" and before you know it, all the parts fit together.

My first Tich boiler took months, and I was not happy with it. My second one (from a flanged plate, and tubes kit from Reeves) took 11 HOURS. But by then I knew what not to do! By all means talk to a local club boiler inspector; things like screwing directly to the boiler shell is not allowed.

Once you get this one done, your Juliet will seem to be easy as can be to build, because you know what to do.