Shay construction

[Waldbahner]

Hello folks,

some while back, I introduced myself with my N-scale projects and announced a detailed report about my live steam Shay, actually in progress on my workbench.
And here she is ->



The little folks on the runboard in the second picture are G-scale people. The loco is build in 2"-scale to run on 5"-gauge tracks. Thie prototype is a freelanced 30"-gauge locomotive.

I started construction of this loco in december 2008 and spend more than 250 hours of work. All began with some wheelsets and steel bars to built the trucks. If you look close to the third photo below, you can see a N-scale Shay on top of the left truck


Click on thumbs for large pictures.

Next step was the frame with working brakes and drive shaft.


Click on thumbs for large pictures.

The newest parts are the superstructure including the cab, water tender and boiler details.


Click on thumbs for large pictures.

The boiler shown in this photos is made from plastic tubes and will be replaced by a live steam copper boiler, build by a proffesional boiler maker.

The next days, I'll start with the water tank inside the tender and some parts of the plumbing. Once this chapter is done, I'll continue with the heart of the locomotive, the 2 cylinder steam engine.

To read more about my Shay-project and for many detail construction photos, feel free to visit my homepage at <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gerds-modellbahn.de/shay/index_e.htm">http://www.gerds-modellbahn.de/shay/index_e.htm</a><!-- m -->

Cheers, Gerd

[P5se Camelback]

WOW!

That is some incredible work! And devotion to a goal; to work for a couple of years aand essentially still have "parts" to show for your efforts is extraordinary! I applaud your dedication, Gerd! And I look forward to the day that water boils, steam is produced, there are two "toots" on the whistle, the throttle is pulled back and the wheels begin to roll ... powered by steam!

It's beautiful, Gerd!

[Sumpter250]

THAT IS AWESOME !!!!

[Waldbahner]

Thank you guys 8-)

The maiden run was planed for last summer, but I was a bit lazzy with this project, due to different other problems. One of this was the boiler question. After a long periode of "selfbuild vs. boiler maker build" I ended up with the last one.

Now I'm back and I started construction of the water reservoir for the tender made from brass sheet. I'll post some photos when the tank is done.

Once the tnak is installed, I'll go forward with the steam engine. The cankshaft is allready done and all other raw material waits for mashining. Once the steam engine is build, I can run the Shay on air for the first time. The steam boiler will arrive in 2-3 month so I'm very sure that the maiden run will happen in 2011


Click on thumbs for large pictures.

Stay tuned for new updates or take a look on my project homepage. Usually, I post new parts and progress the same or the next day.

Bye, Gerd

[e-paw]

Very nice work on the loco. I can't wait to see it run under it's own power. Keep posting pics.

[nachoman]

Did you make the gears on the wheels and driveshafts, or are they from some kind of supplier? You are off to a fantastic start.

[Waldbahner]

Hello,

I bought the gears and wheels, but modificated them to match the Shay design. All other stuff, instead of some valves and standard parts, are home made from stock material.

Cheers, Gerd

[modelsof1900]

Gerd
I think that you are knowing my opinion; but I must repeat it:

Phantastic work and very professional handcrafted art!

Wish you a good finish!

[nkp_174]

I love the little helpers! They are fine workers in deed!

She's a beautiful shay.

[tetters]

Very cool indeed!

[Waldbahner]

Well, I've some new photos for you.

I did good progress on the water tank last week and I finally installed the new brass tank inside the tender body. I also installed two water valves. Next I'll add some more pipes and will continue with the steam brake valve or the steam engine.

[Waldbahner]

Hello !!

Some more progress was done yesterday, I installed some water pipes and start work on the brake valve with connecting steam pipes.


Click on thumbs for large pictures.

Cheers, Gerd

[modelsof1900]

Gerd,
looks great. A working brake valve will be a really phanstik item!
Can you give a dimension data of pipes and valve, please?

[Waldbahner]

Hello,

The pipes are 4mm diameter. The size of the valve may be 20mm in diameter. You will find details on the brake zylinder and rigging at this pages :

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gerds-modellbahn.de/shay/Frame/Break/BC_e.htm">http://www.gerds-modellbahn.de/shay/Fra ... k/BC_e.htm</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gerds-modellbahn.de/shay/Frame/Break/BR_e.htm">http://www.gerds-modellbahn.de/shay/Fra ... k/BR_e.htm</a><!-- m -->

A movie of the brake cylinder test run on air is hosted at YouTube

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urOGqKYZ5hI">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urOGqKYZ5hI</a><!-- m -->

Bye, Gerd

[modelsof1900]

Gerd,
impressed pictures - and a creative chaos on the work table. Wish you a good time doing next steps!