Model Engine Maker

Supporting => Vehicles & Models => Topic started by: Brad on February 06, 2021, 11:48:18 PM

Title: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Brad on February 06, 2021, 11:48:18 PM
This is my first build. I am not one for taking pic while I am working. I will usually take pictures when I get done with something. I know this is going to be a long project but it will be fun. I will most likely be making smaller steam engines when I want to work on something else. Here is the start of My Wheels
Title: Re: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Kim on February 07, 2021, 05:34:48 AM
Looks like you're off to a great start, Brad!

What kind of material are you using for your wheels?  Are you going to stick with all the material as stated by Kozo (mostly brass) or are you doing something different?

The longest journey starts with the first step (or something like that  :Lol:)

Looking forward to seeing your build progress.
Kim
Title: Re: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Brad on February 07, 2021, 07:13:26 PM
Kim Thanks.
I am using 1018 crs for the wheels. It is what I could get a hold of at work vs ordering it right now. I had to order some new tools so I could move on to the other side of the wheels. Good excuse to buy new tools.
Title: Re: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Barneydog on February 13, 2021, 09:37:44 PM
Hi Brad,
I am not familiar with this engine so had to google it to see what it looks like. Looks a nice little shunter. What gauge are you building it?

It will be a long project as it is your first. The learning curve is very steep!!! My Simplex is my first large loco and has annoyingly taken me over three years to build. It was finished last October well into Covid restrictions. It has to wait for the club to open back up to have its steam test and in the mean time it will be fired up when the better weather comes. I have just started my next loco, 5" Sweet Pea, which I am posting elsewhere on this forum. With the experience of the Simplex I want this build to be alot quicker and am already moving at a decent speed. You will need plenty of patience as this is your first loco. Trust me things will go wrong but it is all part of learning. The problem I had was the longer the build went on the more impatient I got so the more mistakes crept in.

Though I am unfamiliar with the Penn Switcher I will watch your progress with eager anticipation. If I can help please ask though it appears there are several that have been built on this forum.

Good luck and happy building.

Cheers

Julian
Title: Re: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Brad on February 13, 2021, 09:45:39 PM
Thanks Julian
      Yes it will be a very long build. I will look for the progress of your build also.
73
Brad
Title: Re: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Barneydog on February 13, 2021, 10:33:13 PM
A guy who lives near us has been building a 3 1/2" gauge Pacific in his shed for over twenty years. He is a very good design engineer who at the moment is designing parts for ejection seats on fighter jets. He is not yet ready to run on air and is probably at least two years away from building the boiler. He already has every casting and bit of metal to fully complete the loco and its tender. I have to credit him with his intent but not his speed!!

What gauge is your loco?

Julian
Title: Re: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Brad on February 13, 2021, 10:56:48 PM
3 1/2"
Title: Re: Penn A3 Switcher
Post by: Barneydog on February 13, 2021, 11:22:37 PM
Hi Brad,

I have a 3 1/2" loco part built (badly by the previous owner) but have decided 5" is the smallest I am now looking to build. I have arthritis in both thumbs so small parts regularly end up on the floor! Even on 5" gauge loco some bits are still very small.

I am like you....I don't as a rule take many photos while I am building. Some of my projects only have one photo....the end product. I have had to force myself to take photos of every process. I have bought a new camera recently so decided my old one will stay in the workshop for the single purpose of recording all my work. I have to constantly remember to take photos. Maybe in time it will become a habit.
Normally I use my iphone but I have found having a dedicated camera next to my work is far better. It reminds me to take photos.

Cheers

Julian
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