Hello from Germany

I decided it was time to sign up. Last time I was in England I came back with an old set of drawings for a Tich live steam loco + a biscuit tin of second hand castings. I’m currently teaching myself how to machine these up with the help of YouTube videos and a slightly eccentric book of instructions from “LBSC”. Luckily it’s still possible to order new castings if things go too badly wrong. It’s slow going, but I’m learning a lot and it’s coming along gradually.

I have a small home workshop with a 1970 Myford lathe and an even older German milling machine fitted with stepper motors to make a basic but usable CNC setup.

Welcome Nick Smartt

LBSC very eccentric. I knew someone who new him and very eccentric was correct, even 70 years later it is still true.

However, his book of words and music is excellent.

You won’t go far wrong especially with the help from this forum.

There is another forum that publishes errors in LBSC and other designers drawings. I can’t remember the name of the forum bit someone will probably post it on here. I don’t know of any errors in Tich but it is worth checking. I think the frame thickness in the magazine was different to the book but after 40 years, I can’t remember which one was thicker but I think one was 1/8 inch and the other was 3/32 inch. Theoretically if the book is correct, the distance over the frame spacers should be correct but I am sure someone on here can enlighten you.

Also, ignore any posts that say Tich is useless as it won’t pull anything. There are too many people like that. Enjoy your new hobby and come back often.I

Welcome to the party Nick , there are many here who will be able help with build. Good Luck. Noel.

Welcome!

There will be many on here who have trodden the path ahead of you, and be able to advise.

And not just on Tich.

Howard

Welcome to the forum

H

Thanks for the welcome messages. I’ve only just joined and I’m already getting useful info!

My version of the Tich drawings and book both specify 3/32” frame thickness. LBSC recommended using soft blue steel plate and avoiding either hard rolled bright steel or “rustless steel”. Even Google didn’t know what soft blue steel plate is. I used some 3 mm sheet with no information about what grade of steel it was, and this worked out fine. I had to calculate the width of the frame spacers so the outsides of the frames are the right distance apart. The dimensions aren’t round numbers, but that’s OK. I converted all the dimensions to metric anyway (without rounding) as I’m not used to working in fractional inch sizes.

As a first time locomotive builder, I find LBSC’s words and music entertaining and helpful, even though some of the methods he describes are a bit obsolete if you're lucky enough to have access to a milling machine with DROs.

Hi Nick
I think the 1/8 dimension came from the original magazine.

Good luck with Tich. I look forward too seeing it progress.