5 inch Torquay Manor

Would a kindly 'model engineer' help me out with the easiest and best way to line up the guidebars/ crosshead and cylinder end covers, etc. on a Martin Evans Manor. Thanks.

hi gill,

careful miking of all the parts is a start. i would suggest you make the crosshead to be attached to the piston rod - carefully getting the piston rod parallel with the crosshead slides. then fix the slidebars temporarily in position. any mis-allignment will be obviously apparent. then its a case of carefully filing or machining the rear end covers or adding shim to the underneath of the slidebars till all fits snuggly and is parallel. if the piston is a jolly good fit in the cylinders and the rear cover perfectly concentric then any friction with no slop in the hole in the end cover for the piston rod then any mis-allignment will show up with the slidebars and will be readily apparent. one of these jobs easier to do than describe! just takes a bit of time and patience and as with all things loco wise 'fitting' is the key to success and long trouble free running.

cheers,

julian

Hi Julian - thanks for your help - a bit of advice works wonders. I like the cab view of your loco! All the best.

Hi Julian. I wonder if you could help with some advice re Torquay Manor. The drawings give no indication as to whether gaskets should be used for the cylinder end covers.

Re 5/16" piston rods. Could I get away with one taper pin. I think it looks nicer with just one! 2 off 3/32" is specified but could I fit one pin a little larger? The rod is a good push fit in the crosshead.

Many thanks.