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
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
Side Detail with pocks front and rear fitted
Started the engine build just a small collection of the parts
As you noticed, the printed coupler pockets fail to equal the quality of your own work. You managed to salvage a decent result. -- Russ
Looks like a lot of fun again. I can't wait to see the result!
Bernhard
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
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
Acceptable so far. -- Russ
Great craftmanship. Very inspiring!
All good Barney it is going to be a stunning model.
cheers Kim
Very interesting prototype, and a great build so far!
Quote from: Barney on January 25, 2024, 02:32:23 PMBy 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.
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
Engine now modified to Petrol / paraffin (more like tractors of the era)
and body panels now in place
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
Body will be of the open type - just did not look right with roof !!
Nice work on the revision. -- Russ
Looks great!
A few mods on the oil / fuel tanks Radiator trial fit
Red LEGO blocks on corners are sand boxes gearshift and brake levers in place Battery to be sorted !
Barney
A few "topsy " bolt heads / rivets to be replaced and a few rough edges to be sorted before undercoat / primer
and then the engine to be fully detailed it looks like its going to be a model on its own !!
Barney
It is looking quite good at this point, and that includes every detail. -- Russ
Looks great so far!
Yeah, really great! I like it.
Bernhard
Hi Barney your chassis is great.
Love the updates.
cheers
Engine bits nearly ready for paint shop - main block/manifolds /water pump/ starter motor /generator/oil filter /flywheel/magneto /gearshift /brake levers
and loads of Master Club nuts/bolts
Barney
please excuse the stray white bit on Red Lego block centre
Top RED blocks valve covers
Barney
I thought everything looked just fine until you admitted your unpardonable sin of placing that white bit on the red valve covers. Unfortunately you'll have to go back and rebuild the whole thing in desert camouflage colo(u)rs. -- ssuR
Quote from: finescalerr on March 10, 2024, 12:28:23 AMI thought everything looked just fine until you admitted your unpardonable sin of placing that white bit on the red valve covers. Unfortunately you'll have to go back and rebuild the whole thing in desert camouflage colo(u)rs. -- ssuR
Don't encourage him, he already paints all his models in Humbrol Olive Drab , or is it Khaki. We don't want him to introduce another colour as camouflage .
Colour I was thinking on the lines of a GREEN I mean what colours are small petrol / diesel critters
Even with a Zorin motif if is good enough for Mr Bond and his friends that's good enough for Mr Barney
The white bit has now gone and Maxes Hairs that no one noticed The engine is now a nice shade of undercoat grey HUMBROL OF CORSE
In the background of the above photo a tank has taken aim at the critter. Perhaps its new colo(u)r will be "Exploded Green". Uh-oh .... -- Russ
Are you feeling OK Russ or is it an age thing !!!!!
Barney
Ever since I lost my cotton pickin' mind I feel great! -- Russ
Slow going at the moment and still lots to do - due to some 1/35th stuff but all went wrong !!!
yes its GREEN but if its good enough for Mr Bond it will pass for me
Throttle / speed control still to do along with choke control and fuel lines
large tank across the bulk head for Paraffin as we call it - Kerosine for people across the puddle
tank on side rear for Petrol ( for starting ) and lube oil
jobs to do more weathering oil leaks and rust but not to much as she is "loved "
Barney
And forgot the tools for he box and some rail and scenery should give it a bit of life
Barney
Another cracking job done and a fine looking loco . I look forward to seeing it in the flesh in a couple of weeks time .
Nick
That little contraption looks extremely adequate, especially when you click on the photos and see them full size. The model's progress is acceptable. -- Russ
As Kermit the Frog crooned "It's not easy being greeen", but it is definitely a nifty little diesel.
That's rather nice!
The difference between the unfinished and painted models is striking. The paintwork brings this little masterpiece to life.
Bernhard
Marvelous work as usual!
Very clean build! :o
And i especially like the colours - they would also be adequate on my Büssing. What colours did you choose?
Quote from: Peter_T1958 on May 01, 2024, 07:06:07 AMVery clean build! :o
And i especially like the colours - they would also be adequate on my Büssing. What colours did you choose?
His usual colour !
Peter - Finish coat for main body acrylic Tamiya NATO GREEN XF67 - Engine Tamiya COCKPIT GREEN XF71
Humbrol enamel Dark grey for undercoat/base colour
Barney
As others have mentioned, a little color makes all the difference. A very pleasing model, indeed.
Stuart
Just a few more Dabbles "Sea Biscuit" nearly there a few bits of touching up and some oily bits on the engine fuel lines in just waiting on speed control/choke cable /tools and a few wires
The mining loco well on its way and flat car
The AWFUL TRACK is from the PECO SM32 range and is way over scale even for 1/16 scale models
Just using it for Demo purpose
Barney
You certainly seem to have mastered your craft. Sea Biscuit is most satisfactory. Now let's see how the others turn out. -- Russ
I agree with Russ. I'm also looking forward to the mining locomotive.
Bernhard
Well done!