Beginners 7 1/4" gauge loco advice sought

I started building a Don Young 5" gauge Railmotor quite some time ago but other than a few little bits and pieces I have made very little actual progress. Work, family, and life in general having conspired to keep me out of the workshop.

A recent garage tidy up along with some free time have rekindled my enthusiasm to get going once again.
While contemplating what to do next I realised that one of the demotivating factors has been the lack of anywhere suitable to run it once completed. The only track within a reasonable commute is the 7 1/2" gauge Burnaby Central Railway - a 45 minute drive from home.

So (to paraphrase a certain unnamed MEW editor) embarking on any loco other than a 7 1/4" loco would be madness or else a mantle piece ornament.

Therefore, despite preferring the smaller gauges I am considering whether it wouldn't be wiser at this stage to put aside what little I have done and to start again with a 7 1/4" design.

Considering myself still very much a beginner and preferring something on the smaller size I have narrowed down the list of candidate locos to:

Tich 7 1/4"
Bridget
Elidir (Hunslet)
Railmotor with a tender, or Tug as a tank engine.

Right now I am leaning towards the Railmotor or Bridget but in the later case it appears that drawings may be difficult to find.

I would appreciate any comments on the merits or otherwise of the engines listed or even alternative suggestions.

Thanks,
Clive

Edited By clivel on 22/06/2018 22:44:07

Oh I forgot to add, Don Young published the "Rhymney Rail Motor and Tug" construction series in Locomotives Large and Small issues 41 to 48 inclusive.

I have managed to find 41, 46 & 47 on eBay but am missing the rest which I would happily purchase if anyone has these available.

Thanks,

Clive

Why not consider the Kozo Penn' A3? Comparatively small and light. Wheel castings readily available in North America. No other Castings required, although there are some available if you prefer to work from castings for cylinders etc. Full construction notes and drawings in the book. Plans and conversions in the same book to build the 7 1/4 & 7 1/2 versions. Many successfully built in North America (and elsewhere).

Regards,

Phil

Wow ! that Burnaby Central is quite something - super lay-out and well worth the 45mins trip. I counted 9mins plus to complete a circuit. I often used to drive a 7 1/4" Bridget on a portable track in the 70's and it was a good steamer and pulled a fair load all day without drama. Bit of a lump to load though. Good luck with whatever you decide on.
DaveD

Thanks for the idea Phil I hadn't thought of the A3, definitely worth consideration, hopefully the library has the book to help me decide before I go out and purchase it.

It is a spectacular track. I took my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter last weekend, she loved the trains and didn't want to go home.
When I wrote a 45 minutes trip, it should have been only 45 minutes, which is close in comparison to the nearest track that caters to smaller gauges, a 1 hour car ride and 2 hour ferry ride away.

Clive

I have built a Super Simplex, many of the reasons are listed on my website: **LINK** I have built it for 4-3/4" gauge track, as 1 inch scale in the U.S. uses this gauge.

The club track I run on is four hours away from my house., I usually dedicate and entire weekend when I visit. I wish it was only 45 minutes away! Needless to say, I drive that far because it is an amazing facility. **LINK**

The Kozo book is a good reference even of you don't build his loco described in it. There are many tips on making parts in new and interesting ways. There is also a good chapter on Silver Soldering.

Building a miniature live steam locomotive is an exercise in time management and focus, if nothing else. Everyone has life commitments and all of the typical distractions of life. If the project takes too long, you will loose interest and it will never see steam. We all know how many unfinished chassis are for sale and the owner is long gone. My Super Simplex first ran under it's own steam in 23 months.

David

Edited By David Wasson on 25/06/2018 10:13:21

David,
Your Super Simplex is a lovely looking loco and I very much enjoyed browsing your web site. Thanks.

I do count myself fortunate to have a track only 45 minutes away, especially such a fantastic one **LINK** it is over 2 miles long.
Unfortunately though it is only 7 1/2" gauge, which is why I am looking at building to this gauge rather than the smaller gauges I prefer.

Thanks for the advice,
Clive

Hi Clive,

Looks like a wonderful track you have! I did not see any diagram of the layout at the web site, but, two miles is quite the track!

Time to get cracking so you can enjoy your own loco on that track. Stay focused!

David