The Home Machinist!

Looks good Anthony! Have you thought about some free flow globe valves as well? I currently have PM Research check valves with their globe valves for emergency shutoffs. Since they use the same seat I’m not sure how much difference your checks would make since the globe valve orifice would still be ...

Another option would be overbore the existing straps and babbitt them. I did this with the split bearings on my shay and they seem to be running really well. I have no noticeable slop in any of the bearings

I forgot to add, my grates are a sloppy fit in the firebox when cold. If I remember correctly, the grates are 1/4in shorter and narrower than the firebox opening so they dont jam when they heat up. Plus it makes it easier to get them out in the event of an emergency.

The grates in my shay are made from 1/4x3/4in hot rolled flat bar held together with 3/8in all thread with a nut between each bar. They're 10in long and Ive had no issue with warping, though they are starting to show some wear in the center after 2 years of use.

I second, or third, the keep the locomotive steam. You’ll have a backup in case something happens, plus that’ll save wear on the locomotive brakes and tires.

Where did you get that miniature ribbed hose? That’s a cool detail!

Our ties, though for 7.5in gauge, are southern yellow pine that was pressure treated for below grade use. A local company that builds wooden rollercoasters did this for us, we did have to sign paperwork stating this was for railroad use and not for residential use. Many have been in service for 20 y...

I cant wait to see where this goes! Ive toyed with the idea of making a 3 truck version. From what I can tell, Johns castings would make a nice 50-60 ton class C shay. But from what I hear, John isnt making any more castings so they're off the market till the business sells.

RMI is also not Bills main business so when things pick up at the real job, the hobby business suffers.

The self contained version definitely sounds interesting! The ones I built connected to a switch machine have proven difficult to keep people from grabbing and forcing the switch against the motor

How's the development going Chuck?

Accucraft has the patterns, bought them from Alco West. I don’t think anyone has actually poured castings from those patterns since Richard sold them though, and I’ve not heard a timeline for when Accucraft will start producing them either