Steve Eaton Toby 0-4-2

Hi All,

I'm brand new to this forum, and to introduce myself, my name is Martin and I'm a retired old dude in Australia who wants to get into live steam for the first time...

The idea of Toby in 2 1/2 inch comes from Steve Eaton as a simple-to-build 0-4-2. (Opened out to a 2-4-2 by a member of Chaski) (www.chaski.org/livemachinist). Some of you may be familiar with it. I've sent for the construction DVD, but I'd really like to scale it up to 5 inch.

I've got 50 years behind me as a fitter/welder cum machinist and I know my way around metal, but live steam is new territory.

A couple of questions if I may...

I'm concerned that a simple doubling up the dimensions isn't necessarily correct, or how it would affect things like the eccentric throws, bore and stroke etc.

I'm not too worried about retaining 'scale' appearance, and I'm sure I can come up with something that 'looks' right, but critical dimensions might be a different matter. So is it a question of just doubling up motion dimensions for example? I'm aware that loco's do get upscaled but not knowing a lot about live steam leaves me floundering, especially if I was to double up certain dimensions which need some other formula.

Any ideas anyone? Any and all help appreciated.

Cheers, Martin

If you are considering Toby because of it's simplicity, why complicate things by scaling it up, Instead you could consider one of the many existing 5" gauge designs suitable for beginners.

As you are in Australia you might consider the Australian designed Blowfly alternatively the Don Young Railmotor 1 or Railmotor 2 or something like the Jack Butler's very popular Sweet Pea. The build series for the Don Young Railmotors can be found in Model Engineer during 1968 and 1969, back issues are carried by larger libraries as well as model engineering societies..

Clive

Thanks Clive, I appreciate your input.

Sweetpea has dominated my thoughts over the past few weeks and I'm still keen on this loco. A marine boiler is appealing because I could construct it myself very cheaply in steel. Tig welding is my thing and a marine boiler should be easier. Hackworth valvegear also promises to be simpler than Walschaerts, though the slip eccentric of Toby also has appeal as does the marine boiler.

I love the looks of Railmotor 2, but again the valvegear is more complex than either Toby or Sweetpea, and it's a stayed boiler. I've spent a lot of time assessing the various combinations and then saw Toby as being ideal as a starter, but as you remarked, with the added complication of having to scale up.

I have to take into account my personal idiosyncracies. I'm not good at long-term projects so a loco has to be reasonably quick and uncomplicated, although I realise that any loco needs much time. I'm also limited in my facilities and funds, but being newly-retired I should have plenty of time and fewer distractions.

I like setting myself against obstacles for the sheer pleasure of overcoming them, but I'm not a slave to it. I can also adapt things to suit a different purpose. My son once said he'd never known anyone like me who can readily ruin one tool to create another...we can become victims of our foibles.

Anyway after all that, I'll take on board what you've said and keep my options open. It will be a while before I make a decision and it has to be the right one for me, with everything taken into account as much as I'm able.

Cheers, Martin

Martin, if you want a quick(er) project you could look at this website:

http://www.modelengineerslaser.co.uk/

I deal with this guy and his laser-cut parts are really good, and speed things up no end!

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

Regards,

John.

Thanks John,

I've already conversed at length via email with Malcolm at Model Engineers Laser, and he seems a thoroughly decent chap.

However being in Australia limits my access to UK offerings. I even thought of a Polly build, having read nothing but good reports, and if I had the wedge, a Polly VI would be at the top of my list. A kit build, while probably offending the purists, would suit my temperement...quick, with every chance of success.

I dabbled with the idea of a B1 from Hot Coals in 21 month kit form, but they haven't yet got back to me from over a month ago. So they're off the list.

Back to laser cutting, here in Perth WA we have an excellent mob called Action Laser, and they have done a lot of work for me over the years when I had my own business building adult recumbent pedal trikes. They will be my supplier of laser-cut parts because of their previous history, convenience, good pricing and reliability of supply.

Many thanks though John for your input and sentiments, much appreciated!!

Cheers, Martin