Rob roy first build

Hello All.

My apologies in advance as I am sure this has been discussed many time before...

I am quite new to the world of model engineering but must say I am enjoying it enormously,

Looking at building a Rob Roy for my first loco, wondered if anyone could offer any advise to whether this would be a good choice or not as a starter engine.

Thanks in advance

Brian

There are loads of nasties in the drawings and there is a problem with the fitting of the cross-head pump. You should find a list on Google. If you have a background in engineering It should be a good starter and is a good hauler. Otherwise start with something simpler.

Brian,

I am building Rob Roy as a first loco so welcome to the club. It is true there are several mistakes on the drawings, some of which are detailed here but for me the availability of the book and a set of blow by blow build instructions outweighs these errors. I suspect any other suitable loco is going to have errors as well.

I am at the air running stage and ready for platework so it is possible!

Andy

Brian,

I agree with Andy. There are a few errors but from my limited experience - there are errors and alternative techniques for virtually all the older engine designs not just Rob Roy.

I have got the book, drawings etc and I have made quite a few of the parts (some of them shown in my album). The engine seems to be a nice combination of a reasonable size but not too big, not the cheapest (parts) but not too expensive, from what I have heard - not outstanding performance but not bad either and there is a wealth of knowledge out there including many pictures.

I would recommend contact with a local club before touching the boiler. Building your own boiler doesn't appear to be too daunting (famous last words) but it is well worth listening to the various members and obviously - the inspector before buying all the expensive materials etc.

Phil H

hi brian,

it is a lovely loco.

make sure you have a set of updated plans showing the improvements specified in ME 5th Sept 1986

the boiler design has a ridiculously low firebox crown being about 1/4" above the boiler centre line.

cheers,

julian

I would not recommend the RobRoy as a first engine. It is not a simple engine to build. I chose it in the early 90's for my first engine (Probably my last) and did "complete it" a couple years ago, sans painting. It runs well on air, however, I have had some difficulty steaming it on coal. There are some problems with the drawings, but not insurmountable. If I were to do it again, I would certainly look at the piping between the cylinders. There is very little room. Some builders have modified the piping by bringing it out in front of the cylinder chests as opposed to in between. I am now working on gas firing as per "Doubletops" recent posts. Just my thoughts. As for the boiler, I did not have any serious problems except that Martin Evans does allow soft solder for caulking the stays which I did do. I wish I hadn't. Since I am in "the states" and my club does not have such stringent testing requirements as you apparently do in Europe. I did test my boiler up to 250 psi and held it over night, so I am not too concerned about it's strength, but must be concerned about keeping the water level up in the boiler when running so as to not compromise the stays.

Rick

Cape Cod, MA

Thanks all for your replys,

Really do need to make contact with a club, wealth of expertise so not sure how they would cope with an amateur like me.

Will get myself a set of drawings on order and take a look through them,

could anyone recommend a supplier to use for both the drawings and the other bits?

Hello All..

Well I got me drawings, I got me book, the only thing I am short on is time, much the same as many I would guess, oh, and any idea of what I am doing.

Need some help and advice please.
The side plates on a Rob Roy, not sure which material to use.
Much of the standard presswork rolled material i am used to seeing has a slight curve to it which i guess would not be ideal for side plates..

There is a local steel stockist close to me in Birmingham where I will go and ask, but wanted some advice form you chaps before I did

Any help will be very much appreciated..
thanks

Brian,

Im sure there will be plenty that disagree but I have made three sets of frame using 1/8" thick bright mild steel without any problem at all. Many people (even the books) tell you to avoid BMS because the material twists after being cut to shape but I must be lucky. All three of my sets of frames have stayed reasonably straight. One set of frames did bow a little bit but a couple of minutes in the vice with soft jaws and gentle pressure straightened them out easily.

Be careful buying the 'material for frames' from the common suppliers because they often use sheared plate and the long edges of the strips have curved edges from the shearing action i.e., if you buy sheared plate - you need a strip that is say 1/2" wider than the finished depth of the frames.

Phil H

If you do not want to cut the frames out yourself you could always get a laser-cut set.

Model Engineer's Laser (MEL)do a fair range of parts for Rob Roy, though there are of course other companies offering the same service. The current MEL price for the frames is a just below £55 + P&P.

Phil

Thanks both for your reply's , must agree that laser cutting would be the simple option but for this my first loco I am going to make my self struggle a little I think, have brought a piece of bright to try, seems straight at the moment but we shall see..I have been looking at the option of having a boiler made for me, would you have any recommendations on who I could try?, I do appreciate that this will be very expensive but feel that this would be beyond me..

Thanks all..

Hi Brian

I'm building a Juliet as a first loco, and have gone for laser cut frames. They have made progress easier. I joined a club a few months ago and am enjoying it. I'm reasonably new to the hobby and perhaps had the same concerns. I think you will find that clubs have members with a range of interests and abilities. Everybody has been welcoming and helpful. Don't wait until you start the boiler, join now. I have taken advice from the buffer beams up!

bob

Hello Bob..

Thanks for the reply, i am going to try and join me local club,

I think they would be a great help but they must get fed up of people like me trying to pick their brains all the time.

Brian, believe me they won't!

Go for it Brian, the ones that are there were like you once, looking for a club, and wondering if they would be welcome, and as you learn you will pass your knowledge on to others, as we as make life long friends.

Ian S C

In the process of getting a couple of quotes to have this boiler made, still don't know which way to jump as the saying more money than sense springs to mind..

being unsure of the rules within this forum for name dropping, but does anyone have an opinion of either Western steam or Chedder Valley ?

Edited By Brian Abbott on 03/07/2014 16:32:25

Hello again Brian,

Will you be coming to Audlem this weekend? I would like you to see the Rob Roy bits and pieces but want to fit in other visits etc.

Can you contact me please so that I can plan my movements? Thanks and regards

Gordon.

p.s. a M,E, from U.S.A. has asked for shipping costs!!!