This engine is a small 0-4-0 5 foot gauge built by Valcan Iron Works of San Francisco in 1862. It was the first steam locomotive in the northwest and may have been the first locomotive built on the west coast. She has been restored and resides in her own little glass building at the Cascade Locks Historical Museum in Cascade Locks, Oregon.The plan I have is in the January/February 1990 Gazette drawn by Daniel Kieft these are only basic plans and don't go into a lot of detail. I have found some photos on the internet but still looking for more. Any photos are welcome.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Hello Gordon,
long time no see....
Off to something new ?
Do you have this one already ?
"Mrs Duncan teakettle" a photo on page 52 in "Logging the redwoods" by L. Carranco and John T Labbe.
Jacq
Jacq, I have finished the out houses,the two trucks the Lombard, and have a good start on my backdrop diorama. So it's time for a little loco or two. I don't know if I have that photo I know I don't have that book. Is the photo of the Oregon Pony? After I get this engine started I will start a thread on the 3 foot gauge Apache Power Co. Porter Fireless Locomotive. Both of these locos are on display and with in a days drive of my home. The drawing for this engine is in January/February 2001 Gazette, but more on that later. I'm also looking at starting the Westfield plantation railway's 30" gauge #4 (2nd) gas mechanical, built from a Case tractor. There are no plans for this and I could make any tractor work. This loco is some what like Marty's Plymouth. I will Also do some of the cane cars used on this railway. Wooden 15 foot 4 wheel cars,from Bodley Wagon Works Staunton,VA. and Southern Car Company, Chattanooga,TN. This information is in the May/June 2007 Gazette.
Back to the Pony I will be building it in 1:16 scale and it will be gauge to standard gauge. This will let me set it on my new diorama.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
I don't seem to be seeing any pictures in the posts...are there supposed to be pictures?...or am I having a stroke? :-\........I'm not smelling toast or tasting copper ???
M
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Marc, is that better. I like the injector or is it just a Water pump.I am looking for more detail on the back head,valve gear,and ash pan.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Thanks Gordon. Thats a cool little loco. Unfortunately I am useless insofar as the information you are after. :-\...have you tried asking the Wiz or Jim W.....this seems like something that might be right up their alley.
Marc
QuoteI like the injector or is it just a Water pump.
It appears to be a drive cylinder with a water pump mounted on the side. What's really strange is the linkage to the drive shaft. In the photo it's hard to see how the shaft would clear the wheel and frame when the crank is at the bottom of the revolution.
Fascinating piece of equipment, though I think Platypus ;) might be a better moniker than Pony... very curious assemblage of bits and pieces. Really looking forward to see what you do with this one Gordon.
Paul
Gordon,
here the link: On google the complete book is available.
http://books.google.nl/books?id=G2FBSEfJxiMC&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=Logging+the+redwoods%22&source=bl&ots=hRFPO3h0dn&sig=rjvD_klEUvBv2jryoRJmQcp-AJM&hl=nl&ei=h3kZSoazMJiq-AbnqcHLDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#PPA52,M1 (http://books.google.nl/books?id=G2FBSEfJxiMC&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=Logging+the+redwoods%22&source=bl&ots=hRFPO3h0dn&sig=rjvD_klEUvBv2jryoRJmQcp-AJM&hl=nl&ei=h3kZSoazMJiq-AbnqcHLDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#PPA52,M1)
It appears to be the same engine, seen from the other side.
Jacq
Thanks, everyone for your input. I will put this search over on the railroad line forum. Maybe someone over there has some personal photos of this Tea Pot. I can see it's hard to get good photos though the glass.
Jacq, thanks for the link to some great logging photos. A quick study of the photos, I would say that they are not the same engine but do look like sisters, with the Pony built in the early 60s and Mrs. Duncan Teakettle later that decade.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Here is one of the better photos I have. You can see how much room there is between the wheel and frame. The prototype is 5 foot gauge and my model is standard gauge so I have less room. So I have to do a little give and take. The valve gear is inside of the frame.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
QuoteHere is one of the better photos I have. You can see how much room there is between the wheel and frame. The prototype is 5 foot gauge and my model is standard gauge so I have less room. So I have to do a little give and take. The valve gear is inside of the frame.
That makes things a lot clearer. I guess you're dependent on other peoples' photographs for this. One thing that's handy if you do get to worship at the real thing in a case like this is a rubber lens hood – you can press it against the glass to kill the reflections, but still move the camera around a bit to frame your shots.
Old Betsey, this is another little engine also built in 1862 by Vulcan Iron works of San Francisco, California. Plans are in the March/April 1990 Gazette.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
I have got a good start on the frame.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Nice work on the frame. It looks like the drivers may be a challenge. -- Russ
Here's two pics of the wheels and the gears with the painted frame. I will paint out the rust on the wood parts.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Wonderful. (But then one would not expect any less from you.)
Marc
Gordon
Once again your doing perfect work. Truly amazing!
Jerry
Beautifully delicate! Can't wait for the next round of pictures.
What a beautiful, neat work, Gordon. And so well documented. Thank you for sharing.
Here are two photos of the boiler, unpainted and over 1000 parts.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Oh................ Gorden needed putty to fill a joint....
He is becoming more like us mortal modelers................ ;D ;D
Fantastic work, in such a short time.
Jacq
This just keeps getting better. Just wonderful.
Marc
I don't see putty. I see virtual perfection. -- Russ
Gordon,
do you prepare for each part an expanded drawing ( unfolded) to be able to cut the correct shape and mark all rivet positions ? I am impressed by the accuracy of the reinforcement ring of the boiler/ dome connection.
Jacq
Absolutely beautiful work as always Gordon...
Paul
Thanks guys for your comments. For this boiler the only drawing I made was a cross section so I can line up the top, center and bottom parts of the boiler. After the center part has been wrapped with a sheet of styrene I take the rough formed top and bottom cores and fit them to the center part and trace a line to show their location. Extend these lines out the width of the flange and use this for the pattern. Cut these parts out of sheet styrene and add to the center part. The bottom core is made out of wood and is added to the flange sheet that is on the center part. Now add a sheet of styrene to all four sides having them fit up tight to the flange. The top core is made from a section of 1 1/2" ABS pipe with the bottom shaped to fit the center part. Wrap this core with a sheet of styrene that is longer on the bottom. Tape this sheet to the core and trace and cut to the shape of the core leaving about two scale inches longer than the core on the bottom. Glue the core and wrapping together. Now when shaping and fitting this to the flange sheet you are only shaping the thin sheet of styrene and not the thick core. This now can be glued onto the flange sheet. The core for the center part is a section of 2 1/2" O.D. tubing from Plastruct. I use sand paper wrapped around a same size piece of pipe or tube to do the shaping.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Very impressive Gordon!
Just curious, and couldn't figure it out from the post above.
Do you lay out the rivets on the styrene sheet before wrapping or after?
-Marty
Marty, on the first wrap of the center part I lay out the top line, the bottom line and a line on each side all going from end to end. Working the other way I draw a line at the first and second row of rivets and a line centered on the steam dome. I don"t lay out rivets until all three parts are connected.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
This is a photo of the core for the bottom part of the boiler.
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This is a photo of the core for the water tank.(looking at the bottom) with styrene on the top and sides.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Very interesting.
You don't experience any problems over time with difference of expansion between the wood and styrene due to humidity...or shrinkage from drying?
Marc
Quoteproblems over time with difference of expansion between the wood and styrene due to humidity...or shrinkage from drying?
If fully sealed by glued with a styrene top and bottom it should not give problems, unless very high temperatures expands the moisture inside.
Jacq
Very nice wood work, Gordon!
Starting with such a solid foundation sure makes life a lot easier.
------------------------------------------------------------------
EDIT: I posted this based on the photos on Page 3, then
went back and saw the boiler on Page 2:
Holy Smokes, Gordon - that's insane!!!!
Marc, I don't know if this will be a problem or not. I have other tanks with the solid wood core that are four or five years old and I can't see any problem with them. The tanks on my Michigan California Shay Are almost forty years old and I can see no problem with them. So only time will tell. I do live in a very dry place and maybe this helps.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
I've laminated styrene to wood cores with no long-term issues,
and we can get pretty humid here in New Jersey.
Such small pieces of wood shouldn't create any problems.
I have got the boiler and water tank ready for paint. Here are two photos.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
When you start building, Gordon, you don't mess around! -- Russ
Now I understand why rivets are in short supply in the hobbyshops........................ :D
I don't spend more words on it... save my superlatives for the end
Jacq
You never post a picture that isn't worth being thoroughly studied, Gordon. Some for the ideas they contain, some simply for the pleasure.
It's really good to see these pieces before paint, to study & appreciate
the different materials used in construction. Thanks, Gordon.
Gordon
Wow this is awesome!! Just one question is the word "sleep" in your vocabulary!! Hell its on;y taken a week to get this far most of us would still be doing rivets.
Jerry
Would any member of or visitor to this forum disagree that Gordon is a world class modeler? -- Russ
Not me! I would still be on the floor looking for the rivits that flicked off.
Quote from: finescalerr on June 11, 2009, 01:10:20 AM
Would any member of or visitor to this forum disagree that Gordon is a world class modeler? -- Russ
Sorry, I have no time for this, I'm too busy playing with my Legos...
Speaking of mixing materials, I tried to mix some resin castings with brass strips. That does not work!
John
Thanks, guys for your comments.
Here are two more little loco built on the west coast. Built by Marshutz & Cantrell of San Francisco about 20 to 30 years later than the Oregon Pony. My article on these two locos appeared in the 2005 Logging, Mining & Industrial Annual.
Bear Harbor Lumber Company Number 1.
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Elk River Mill & Lumber Company Number 1. (Falk)
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Gordon, thanks for sharing these wonderful models. The locomotives are beautiful, but I think I even prefer the shots of the chassis, with the simple beauty of your mechanisms.
Gorgon,
just discovered these 2 postcards:
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Jacq
Thanks Jacq, for posting these photos on this thread. These two photos were taken in the 40s at the Portland Oregon Union Station. Since 1970 the loco has been on display at Cascade Locks Historical Museum.
Here are some of the other photos I'm using for this project.
http://www.brian894x4.com/Steamlocomotives.html
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Here are two more photos, only a few more parts and it will be ready for water and firewood. The top of the stack,wheel and the oil cups will not be glued on til later.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Hello Gordon,
Waooooo......, still a superb model!
Since a long time, I have the project to make this loco in 1:20.3, your model encourages me!
Gordon you is The Master's scratchbuilder!
Sincerely!
Lloyd
To fall in love with.............. beautifull
What paint and which colours are you using ?
Jacq
btw. do you know the 4 wheeled geared loco Betsy of the Madera Sugarpine Co. ?
Damn!....just outstanding! Really a pleasure to look at.
Marc
Thanks guys
On this loco I used Floquil Engine Black out of a rattle can. on the other two I added a thin over spray of Box Car Red while the black is still wet. Then I will finish up with pastels.The roofing is painted with Reefer Gray.
The 4 wheel geared loco Betsy is on the cover of the Sept/Oct 1984 Gazette and is one of my favorite little loco.I think I could come close from just that painting.What do you know about it.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Gordon,
there are a lot of photo's and a (scale?) drawing as of 1931 by Donald de Vere in the book Thunder in the mountains by Hank Johnson.
Hoe accurate this is I don't know, as mill lay out plans by de Vere, shown in some books, are not realy accurate when compared to photo's or other available plans.
There is also a mentioning in Geared locomotives that it is build by Rose & Company (builder - unconfirmed) - San Francisco, California - prior to 1899
http://www.gearedsteam.com/other/images/madera_sugarpine_co-dwg-thunder.jpg (http://www.gearedsteam.com/other/images/madera_sugarpine_co-dwg-thunder.jpg)
(this is from the Geared Loco site. This photo appears in the book.
When this posting is not allowed, please remove reference)
Jacq
Gordon
Just absolutely beautiful. Just another outstanding scratch built engine by you.
Jerry
The finished model is wonderful, Gordon.
This is an outstanding work. I really appreciate the subtle rusting on the piping. Well Done.
Fantastic piece of work, Gordon. Another masterpiece.
Thanks guys, for your comments and input
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Marvelous work! A magnificent model, of a delightful prototype. I saw the Oregon Pony the last time I was in the Portland area, about 8-9 years ago. I have a few questions for you...
1. How did you make the gears?
2. On the photo of the unpainted water tank, I noticed that the hatch cover is red with white spots. Are the spots some kind of texturing technique?
3. Is this an operating model or a static display?
Ray, all of my models are static. The gears are made up of individual square strips of styrene glued onto a core made from styrene. The red part on the water tank lid is a 1:12 doll house plate on top of a steel washer topped out with a casting from Ozark Miniatures. I will use any thing that works on my models. (BTW) I enjoyed your web page.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Here are two more photos of the rest of the engine parts. I will post more after the last of the detail is finished.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Stunning!
Another question: How do you make the pipe fittings (elbows, valves, etc.)? Or do you buy them?
Ray, all of the pipe work and pipe fittings are built out of K&S tubing. The four valves are from Trackside Details part# TD 115 and TD 47.
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Gordon,
Wow that is just a beautiful piece of workmanship!!! Another great model by you.
Jerry
This model is now finished. Here are four more photos.
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Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Most satisfactory, Gordon. Yet another exquisite masterpiece. -- Russ
Gordon, thanks for the additionnal pictures. This is a fabulous model, once again.
Wow, Gordon...the finished photos are wonderful. The atmosphere this model
projects is enough to make anybody smile with delight. It's a pleasure to look at.
The "funnest" part of scratchbuilding is breaking down full-size objects into simple
shapes and faithfully replicating them in miniature using anything that looks right.
You've done that again flawlessly.
Thanks for the inspiration.(https://www.finescalerr.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fclapping%2F2.gif&hash=3e2f1b19290666b3370ccb1dd3fa22eb0ef09c68)
Gordon
Ditto to what Ken said above. He really said it all. Looking forward to the next project??
Jerry
Just spectacular! What a neat prototype. So elemental.
What is there to say other then FANTASTIC.
rich
spectacularly awesomely super dooper!
Love all the SBS info too!
-Marty
I am lost for words...............................
can't wait for the next one.... :D
Jacq
Gordon,
Equal praises as what the other guys have just said. Clean and exact scratchbuilding work...can't really ask for much more can we?
The big question though...whats the final parts tally? ??? ;D
I have always loved the ongoing tally you often commented on at the end of each section of your builds. I have this vision of you placing rivets and counting out loud, getting side tracked, forgetting what number you were up to, and pulling the rivets off to start again..... ;D
Dan
Thanks guys for your comments.It was fun to do another steam engine. Dan, around a 1000 parts on the boiler, 600 on the water tank. a 1000 other parts. That is about a total of 2600 parts.
I will start a new thread on my next project in a day or two. I will be doing another little 0-4-0 geared loco. Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company # 1. I will start the thread with what info I have and what questions I have.
http://www.finescalerr.com/smf/index.php?topic=400.0
Gordon Birrell
http://www.flickr.com/photos/77318580@N00/
Gordon, congratulations!
You have done a fantastic work...I am at a loss for superlatives... ;)