Hi from the US from Bob

Hello from the US: Name is Bob, easy to remember as it is spelled the same forward as backwards! Residing in SW Missouri. Major interest is vertical stationary steam engines. Been a amateur machinist for for over 20 years now. Retired youngster that just turned 80 earlier this week. Previously built steam locomotives for 7.5 " gauge track in various scales. Just no longer strong enough to wrestle the 400 pound plus objects around so now build table top engines that I can get to the bench easily. Currently running the last two verticals I have built on compressed air, hope to build a boiler sometime in the future.

Have fond memories of visiting your part of the world and having the opportunity to drive a Sterling loco on a great elevated track in the Cardiff area. That would have been in the early 1990's while visiting and having the opportunity to visit my good friend John Norman. John was a previous resident of Cincinnati, Oh and a member of the Cinder sniffers RR club there.

Current basement workshop is approximately 12x25 ft and contains a small 8x18 in DRO mill, two lathes, drill press and some other bench top tools.

Will try to post some shop pics as soon as i figure out how to load photo's on this website.

Always interested in talking with fellow enthusiast on any aspect of building.

Just received a set of most excellent set of ME Beam engine castings from Reeves and will be starting on that project as soon as I finish the vertical engine I am currently working on. Keep making the chips!

Hi Bob; welcome! I am another stationary steam engine enthusiast. I built an M.E. beam engine many years ago. Does the set of castings still have the pulley casting for the layshaft, and one for the large gear on the crank shaft? The reason I ask is that I found that with the gear sizes specified, the cotter in the big end hit the layshaft. I increased the tooth count on each gear by five, and all was well. I sold the engine years ago; worst decision I've made. Never mind. Good luck with your project.

Maurice.

Welcome Bob! (Or boB). Be interesting to have your experience of model engineering from the other side of the pond; its funny how so much is the same and yet there are variations to cracking the same nut.

Hi Bob,

Welcome to the forum!

You may be in the USA but you have a wonderfully English surname!

Neil