Not actually a Union Gas Engine !!

[Barney]

After reading and not "just looking at the pictures"of the Yellow Aster Gold Mine in the Narrow gauge & Industrial Review NO' 132 came across a UNION GAS ENGINE critter an unusual bit of kit with a fly-wheel up front the size of a dust bin lid ( or perhaps a bit bigger ) and with a large water tank at the rear and "the radiator flat on the roof " how on earth it worked I just can not figure it out - but they had a couple of the little beast ! 
My version in 1/16th scale on a 1ft 10in gauge track (32mm gauge ) not looking any thing like the prototype it will have a 3 cylinder diesel engine a copy of a Fairbanks Morse EARLY marine engine -
Wheels are from the Slater's Range or Narrow gauge (16mm scale) - every thing else my usual mix of Evergreen strips and sections - Plastic card skinned LEGO blocks
1st shot the basic frame and the chain covers with a small differential casing

[Barney]

Brake shoes are from Cambrian range of castings
The coupler pocket a bit of a "mistake" a Rough 3D print Took a lot of cleaning up using a Dremel with a ball end and bounced all over to give it a Cast iron look  -  Seemed like a good idea at the time But will not use that company again

[Barney]

Side Detail with pocks front and rear fitted
Started the engine build just a small collection of the parts

[finescalerr]

As you noticed, the printed coupler pockets fail to equal the quality of your own work. You managed to salvage a decent result. -- Russ

[Bernhard]

Looks like a lot of fun again. I can't wait to see the result!

Bernhard

[Barney]

By permission of the KERN COUNTY MUSEUM  a photo of the original UNION GAS ENGINE NO 1 and one of the original motor units
the original name being the"Regan vapour engine co " a 2 cylinder  4 stroke engine
Another Gas engined was from a Cadillac - the two union loco's were abandoned at the mine one buried and the other left underground

[Barney]

Engine bits fitted but all trial fit - Hence wobble flywheel and other fittings
Barney

Engine 3 cylinder Marine  Diesel  - on the pattern of a Fairbanks Morse early type

[finescalerr]

Acceptable so far. -- Russ

[Hauk]

Great craftmanship. Very inspiring!

[1-32]

All good Barney it is going to be a stunning model.
cheers Kim

[Ray Dunakin]

Very interesting prototype, and a great build so far!

[Ray Dunakin]

By permission of the KERN COUNTY MUSEUM  a photo of the original UNION GAS ENGINE NO 1...

Hard to tell from such a small photo, especially at that angle, but it looks like the engine in the first image might be similar to this one:

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/imagedetail.aspx?id=6479

Or maybe not...I just found a side view of the Yellow Aster Mine loco #1 on this site:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/pacificng/posts/2242445432554269/

They say it had a 15 hp double cylinder Union Gas engine of the 1905 type.

[Barney]

Thanks Ray That must be one of the original mining critters - and That SVRR ARCIVE has loads of unusual shots
My version is now going through a much needed engine change after finding a few more versions which I think must have been a more reliable version the engine now is a 3 cylinder Petrol - Paraffin ( Gas - Kerosene ) starts on petrol until warm then switched over to Kerosene as used on many tractors of that era - Photos soon of the conversion but continuing with the frame and bodywork
now a fully open version
Barney   

[Barney]

Engine now modified to Petrol  / paraffin (more like tractors of the era)
and body panels now in place

[Barney]

Small Petrol side tank with lube' tank and main paraffin (kerosene ) tank constructed
Components of the radiator ready for assembly flat sheet with 40 thou rods added - Then for front of rad a brass overlay Rear tool box with missing lid ! it fell off at  some point of its life
Barney