GWR Armstrong 4-4-0 Loco

[mikemill]

Members might be interested in the start of a new build, this is a Gauge 1 GWR Armstong  4-4-0 locomotive to my mind a very handsome beast and the epitome of Victorian loco design. The engine will be 12v dc powered and radio controlled, I have built several G 1 engines over the last few years, I enjoy the design work as much as making all the parts including the wheels. Here is the last one a GWR Saddle tank an unusual design.

Mike

[ths]

Looks great Mike, a very GWR design. Are you working from plans that are available, or your own design? The saddle tank looks great, the photo is very realistic.

Cheers, Hugh.

[mikemill]

Hugh
I work from published drawings like J.N. Maskelyne Locomotives I Have Known and Jim Russell’s GWR Locomotives, then make CAD drawings for files to cut the parts on a CNC mill. The CNC process give you enormous scope to make parts that were impossible when I started modeling, like this water gauge flange, also you can build models that cost thousands for tens of pounds, above all great fun.

Mike

[ths]

Thanks Mike, I look forward to the loco taking shape.

Hugh.

[b.lindsey]

Mike,
I have moved this thread here to "Vehicles & Models" which is the normal sub-forum for loco builds. Looks like a nice project which I am sure many will be interested in!

Thanks,

Bill

[mikemill]

Armstrong chassis starting to take shape, there is not much room for the working motion a bit like watch making! but it’s looking the part, and turns over nicely.

Mike

[mikemill]

Engine progressing well, I thought the difficult part would be cutting the boiler and firebox to match the splashers, but by using card templates it worked first time much to my relief. Just the detailing to do, then the tender.

Mike

[ths]

Wow! Looks great, you've been very busy over the past month. Hugh.

[Johnmcc69]

That's some very nice fabrication work Mike!

 John

[b.lindsey]

That is looking great Mike. The details like the bearing boxes and springs on the front 2 wheels...are you also fabricating them, casting them or what?

Bill

[mikemill]

Bill
The front axelboxes, springs, and driver springs are commercial lost wax castings, all the rest inc wheels are home made , some with a CNC mill
To have small numbers of castings made by the lost wax process is very expensive, so if you can find ready made of the right size it make sense to buy in.
I am waiting for 3D printing machines to come down in price so I can use the process to make my own shapes, only problem I find 3D CAD very challenging!!!! one of these days the penny will drop.

Mike

[mikemill]

The Armstrong is complete, it’s been a long haul but I am pleased with the result. The engine is radio controlled  with the battery pack and radio receiver in the tender. It also completes the my goal of building my five favorite GWR engines, that consist of River Class 2-4-0, Dean Goods 0-6-0, 517 Class 0-4-2, Saddle Tank 0-6-0, and now the Armstrong.
I now hope to concentrate on extending the layout now that I have reorganized my workshop.

Mike

[tangler]

Very handsome.   

Rod

[b.lindsey]

That's a beauty Mike!! Any chance of making and posting a video of it in action?

Bill

[ths]

Very nice Mike, great result. Hugh.