I’m fairly new to this site and need some direction. I was a backshop machinist and still do pattern work and machining. My interest is in fabrication of steam locomotive components, assembly and setup. Things like making tires, setting up driver box roller bearings, fitting binders and pouring tin in slippers. But again I am a machinist.
I have looked for places on the site for people who have the same interest as me, machinist. Is there a place where I can find and communicate with other shop guys? Thanks in advance, Russell.
Look at museums and tourist operations with steam locomotives. UP, Navada Northern, Steam Town; thats three out of almost a hundred such facilities. Even check the narrow guage lines like Silverton, WW&F, East Broadtop. Mid Contenent Museum. Ft. Wayne Historical (765). Just off the top of my head.
Thanks for the help. It seems odd to me that as mechanically intensive as this subject is that people are not interested in how these machines are fabricated, rebuilt and maintained. There are not many left that have this knowlege. I began to realize that when no one asked me what my screen name ment. Russell
Hi, Russell. It is true, and you would feel some keen disappointment, I am sure. I think this would be more so, to be fair, with the generation and legions of modern scale modellers, those who favour diesel. For those of us who model steam, the majority of us with more than a couple years into the hobby have learned that a quartering device/machine is needed even for our models. We learn this due to quality control problems in assembly when we place our shiny new engine on the tracks and it takes only a quarter turn of the drivers before it slows perceptibly, or lurches past the sticking point, or, if it is powerful enough, bends the side rods. [:O]
In this forum, and in the Steam Preservation one next door, I am sure you could find someone with whom to swap reminiscences and techniques. You might even launch a little locomotive erection thread and sustain it for a while with some narrative, stories, and images. I’m sure you would have a loyal following.
Russell,
I.C.S. (International Corespondence School) at one time offered a “Locomotive Machinist’s Course” and a “Boilermakers’ Course”. I have a catalog of theirs that lists the books that went with each course. These are either small individual paperback books or they may come in a hardbound volume with several books in each volume. Each book has a gold mine of information and detailed drawings.
You may want to keep a lookout on eBay, as some of these books pop up from time to time. Better yet, you may also try looking them up at your local Library and having them use the inter-library feature in order to find the books somewhere across the nation.
It that same vein, check out antique stores, flea markets, especially in and around communities whre there were railroad shops and yards, plus, of course, railroad and model shows, train meets; maybe post a note at a train hobby shop.
Thanks to all for the understanding, direction and suggestings of books and the thread. Russell Now lets get in the lathe and mill and make some chips.