Model Engine Maker

The Showcase => Vehicles & Models => Topic started by: crueby on August 27, 2019, 10:13:35 PM

Title: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: crueby on August 27, 2019, 10:13:35 PM
Hi all,
My build of a model of the Marion model 91 steam shovel is now complete. On Friday I had the opportunity to take it out to LeRoy NY, then town near me where the original machine still exists - the last of the mode 91's left. Great day out there, they had a public opening of the shovel grounds, and I helped out with talking about how the machine works. My thanks to the head of the LeROy Historical Society, Lynne Belluscio, who allowed me access to the real machine a number of times starting two years ago so that I could photograph and measure the machine in fine detail. I have given the historical society a roll of full-dimension plans for the machine to help document it, and am working with them on the new signage they are putting up in front of the machine to explain it.

(https://i.postimg.cc/RCs2X5Gc/DSC-8480.jpg)

The model is 1:16th scale - this picture puts the size of the real machine, with the model in front of it, in perspective:
(https://i.postimg.cc/NfKSnJPZ/DSC-8405.jpg)

The shovel is about 75' long, and weighs over 130 tons. It was originally a railway shovel, with two heavy duty railroad wheel sets underneath. Built in 1906 and purchased by the limestone quarry in LeRoy, it was used to dig rock that was further crushed for aggregate used in building railroad beds, road beds, and also the Mt Morris Dam on the Genessee River. It was used all the way up to 1949, when it was finally retired. The company drove it out of the quarry and parked it across the road, where it has been ever since. More recently the town purchased the land it sits on, and the historical society got it on the National Registry to help protect it.When retired, the quarry coated it in some sort of tar, which has helped protect it over the years. That coating is now mostly gone, so efforts are underway to raise funding to get the remainder of the coating stripped off and the metal properly protected. The wood spacers in the center of the boom are in poor shape, but the rest is in remarkably good condition for a machine sitting untouched for 70 years.

Here the model is shown in the same pose as its big sister - one of the people there for the event found a big rock to put under the bucket to complete the look:
(https://i.postimg.cc/PJRcxYN6/DSC-8413a.jpg)
For the talk portion of the day, we put the model up on the left side track:
(https://i.postimg.cc/q7x5K9z6/IMG-5571.jpg)
and took off the roof and one wall to show the inside:
(https://i.postimg.cc/P5ZcXLH4/IMG-5593.jpg)
Here is a short video that I put together to show the controls and operation of the different functions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvn3UPKpHto

This has been the most involved model project that I have ever done, with a lot of people to thank for their support! So many of you have followed along, with many suggestions, tips, techniques, references, lots of encouragement, jokes, banter, pointing out mistakes, and asking great questions that made me dig even deeper into the research of these wonderful machines.  Also, as many of you already know, my Lombard Log Hauler model build has been running in Live Steam Magazine, and the editor is planning on starting this model when that one is complete next spring. More excitement for me, now I just need to finish writing the last couple of chapters and polish up the drafts of it. The articles include full measured drawings for the models - lots of work but a great way to preserve the sequences.The model is in my collection for now, though it may wind up out at the Historical Society museum in LeRoy at some point. It will be going back out there for events and fundraising for its big sister along the way.

Thanks again to all those that have helped and encouraged me along the way, it is most appreciated! I have learned a LOT of things off of this forum over the years!
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Kim on August 27, 2019, 10:49:39 PM
Congratulations, Chris!
This is a huge accomplishment!  And a beautiful one at that!  You've been working on this for a long time and we've gotten to come along for the ride.
Thanks for including us.  It's been fun.
Kim
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: b.lindsey on August 27, 2019, 10:54:08 PM
What a beautiful model Chris. I have been following silently, looking forward to completion day. Very impressive to say the least!!!

Bill
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: steam guy willy on August 27, 2019, 11:27:08 PM
Hi Chris , lovely model ,and great to see it working !!   and did the  Marion engineers ever make models of their products ?  and can we expect models of the other 90 in Marions portfolio !! :)  superb craftsmanship and a lovely finish...
Willy
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Dave Otto on August 27, 2019, 11:46:38 PM
Amazing what you have been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time.
Very nice work on the model and great to see everything working as it should.

Congrats!
Dave
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: rspringer on August 28, 2019, 01:12:33 AM
Glad for you to see it finished.  But it is like my favorite TV show being canceled.  Great job my friend.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: vcutajar on August 28, 2019, 01:31:22 AM
Congratulations Chris.  That is an awesome model.

Vince
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Johnmcc69 on August 28, 2019, 01:32:04 AM
 :AllHailTheKing: :AllHailTheKing:
 Just amazing work Chris! That was a quick "couple of years", I really enjoyed reading your daily updates & had troubles keeping up at times because of the speed of your progress. Learned a lot following along as well, just an exceptional thread & build. & what a great thing for the community of Leroy, I hope your presentation of the model, the drawings, & the magazine help "build up steam" in the preservation of the real thing.

 Just truly exceptional work Chris, my hats off to you.

 John
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: derekwarner on August 28, 2019, 03:14:59 AM
Yes Chris...I have been here daily since day 1....a truly amazing build :cheers:....[from your history, the actual machine retired in the year I was born].........Derek
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Don1966 on August 28, 2019, 03:27:38 AM
No more words from me Chris it is an awesome built and seeing the final working model puts it all on  perspective. Your work is phenomenal and great craftsmanship in all its glory. ....... :praise2: nothing more to say but magnificent accomplishment!


 :drinking-41:
All my respect Don
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Larry on August 28, 2019, 04:25:59 AM
Just amazing - have followed each of your daily posts from Day 1. Congratulations !
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: gunna on August 28, 2019, 04:30:58 AM
I have also followed from day 1 and am so impressed, Chris. Thank you for sharing this "trip" with us, I am sure everyone has learnt something along the way.
Ian.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: PJPickard on August 28, 2019, 11:00:29 AM
That model is fantastic, loved seeing it come together. OK so what's next? :)
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Admiral_dk on August 28, 2019, 12:02:49 PM
I don't now what to say that haven't already been said above ....  :praise2:  :praise2:

I followed your first build here - the Shay Locomotive - and was already very impressed with the quality of the build, but you keep up your challenges  :NotWorthy:  :cheers:

Best wishes

Per
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: gbritnell on August 28, 2019, 12:14:55 PM
Congratulations on an outstanding piece of work! To see what you machine on your equipment is what keeps me inspired. I know it should be in a museum but it's hard when you have so much time and work invested.
gbritnell
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: ShopShoe on August 28, 2019, 12:47:35 PM
Wonderful project

Wonderfully Documented

Thanks for posting all of it,

--ShopShoe
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: cobweb81 on August 28, 2019, 01:09:24 PM
This has been a great project to follow and has provided much inspiration.
Congratulations on it's completion.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: BAH on August 28, 2019, 02:38:59 PM
Awesome work Chris. I have always been fascinated with steam shovels and want to build a Marion tracked unit. Was alway wondering how I was going to make the smaller working engines inside, now I know
Great work, looking forward to your next adventure.
Bryan.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: crueby on August 28, 2019, 02:43:22 PM
Thanks everyone for your kind comments, its been a really great time and a fun journey!  :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:


Next will be a lot of catching up on other projects around the house and on some of the RC models, now that workbench space is available. After that, hope to start on a model of the Stanley Steamer engine that I have plans for. Lots to figure out how to do and how big to make it.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: paulc1 on August 28, 2019, 02:59:50 PM
Congratulations this is a  Fantastic project and truly amazing :praise2:
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Flyboy Jim on August 28, 2019, 03:22:15 PM
Congratulations Chris  :whoohoo: on not only your incredible build, but for your putting together such a great build thread.  :ThumbsUp: Watching you solve the, seemingly, unsolveable problems is an inspiration for me and I’m sure many others.

Not only that, but you did it all on a Sherline Lathe and Mill! It certainly showcases just how much these little lathes and mills are capable of! It once again makes me pleased with my choice of Sherline equipment. I’ve heard it said that Sherline equipment is light duty and won’t hold up.  :lolb: Looking back at all the builds you’ve done with yours, it certainly takes that statement to lunch,

Jim
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: bent on August 28, 2019, 03:55:40 PM
Wow, nice job Chris!
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: crueby on August 28, 2019, 07:25:25 PM
Thanks very much guys!


Jim, compared to a big commercial lathe and mill, the Sherline is light duty, but with proper use they will do a lot, maybe just slower. The base for the model is almost as long as my bench with both machines, so they also make a compact home shop. I like them!
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: kvom on August 28, 2019, 09:21:56 PM
Did you lay off the elves?  Hopefully with a nice severance package.

Please bring the Marion to CF.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: crueby on August 28, 2019, 09:41:54 PM
Did you lay off the elves?  Hopefully with a nice severance package.

Please bring the Marion to CF.
Lay THEM off??  they have embezzled so much from the engineering accounts that I am living off THEM now!   :lolb:

If I came to CF without it, I am sure you guys would make me go back for it!  A lot will depend on the weather this winter.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Roger B on August 29, 2019, 07:35:41 AM
Splendid Work  :praise2:  :praise2:  :praise2:  :wine1: I've tried to keep up with the build log but you were always several pages ahead of me  ::) Maybe I need to shop elves to speed up my builds.
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Jeff Michel on August 30, 2019, 12:44:58 AM
Again you never fail to amaze. Thank you
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Zephyrin on August 30, 2019, 09:27:22 AM
nice to see your smile, easy to understand upon such a awsome achievement !
the thread with the built is a course in model making, thanks to share !
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: crueby on August 30, 2019, 07:58:39 PM
I put this over on my build thread, thought I'd include it here too - some video snippets learning to run the shovel (lots of small levers for big fingers). Will get more of the gravel to make a bigger pile so it takes a larger bucketful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2-mbGX5L00
 :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Roger B on August 30, 2019, 08:05:31 PM
Excellent  :ThumbsUp:  :ThumbsUp:  :wine1: + Cider  :)
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: crueby on August 30, 2019, 08:07:20 PM
Excellent  :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :wine1: + Cider  :)
Ooh, cider! The cider season is just about to start here (western NY state is big apple growing region)
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: Admiral_dk on August 30, 2019, 09:25:36 PM
Even though you made a perfect model - it just shows that these early diggers requires a lot more training to operate to something like the precision of modern equipment (not that the operator don't improve with time in them too). I agree on the handle vs finger size too  ;D
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: crueby on August 30, 2019, 09:27:47 PM
Even though you made a perfect model - it just shows that these early diggers requires a lot more training to operate to something like the precision of modern equipment (not that the operator don't improve with time in them too). I agree on the handle vs finger size too  ;D
I'm sure with practice the operator would get to the point where its second nature - I keep having to stop and think which lever in which direction...!
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: gary.a.ayres on September 02, 2019, 08:11:49 PM
Wow! It is completed!

An absolutely stunning piece of work. Phenomenal...

Congratulations!!!

gary

 :praise2:

Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: scc on September 02, 2019, 08:26:12 PM
Chris, It's all been said :praise2:   Very Well Done.     Enjoy your cider :cheers:   Terry
Title: Re: Chris's Marion 91 steam shovel completed
Post by: fumopuc on September 15, 2019, 06:39:58 AM
Hi Chris,
to see it in motion and following the operations is a great fun.
That is an extraordinary project, made with passion and the love to the all the small details.
Very well done.
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal