Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

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bushav
Posts: 167
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2022 2:23 pm
Location: Bainbridge GA

Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by bushav »

Finished!
Finished!
Another couple of parts completed. I’m excited with how they turned out. Skills learned on this project included milling arcs, issues with plunge milling, and finish work with hand file. Oh, advanced DRO plotting!
New to live steam
Building 3/4” 4-8-4 Northern &
1” 4-6-2 Pacific
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bushav
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by bushav »

69FC4E60-003C-405F-A530-B19BA9D6C42B.jpeg
Yesterday I had a Sacramento layover. This gave me a chance to visit the California Railroad Museum. What a great place. The exhibits are wonderful. I especially enjoyed the model railroading section. There are three live steam models. Luckily one is a 1” Pacific which I have the chassis for. The above model was over the top in perfection. Absolutely beautiful.
New to live steam
Building 3/4” 4-8-4 Northern &
1” 4-6-2 Pacific
djjh87
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by djjh87 »

Nice work. Bench work and the basic skills of machining will build confidence to tackle anything and you are well on you way. Jim
No problems just solutions.
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NP317
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by NP317 »

I also recommend the California State Railroad Museum! Probably my favorite railroad museum.
And with the opening of the associated famous Central Pacific locomotive shops, it will continue to be an excellent museum.

I was there for the opening 10 day celebration in 1982, engineering one of the 12 steam locomotives there in daily operation:
Hillcrest Climax #10. In 95 F. degree weather, no less. Memorable, for sure.
RussN
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bushav
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Location: Bainbridge GA

Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by bushav »

Didn’t want you guys to think I have drifted off into the sunset. I tore the power head down on my Bridgeport. It’s been noisy since I purchased it last year. Recently it wouldn’t hold a steady RPM so something had to be done. I’ve been waiting 3 weeks for H & W to get me $1500 worth of new bits for it. In the meantime I’ve been making some locomotive parts on the lathe. Nothing worth posting but definitely making progress. Piston rods and Walschaert parts.
New to live steam
Building 3/4” 4-8-4 Northern &
1” 4-6-2 Pacific
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Bill Shields
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by Bill Shields »

Wow that's a lot of parts on a BP head (or used to be!)

Suspect more than a worn bushing?

One of the reasons to not let it sit at one RPM for a long time... assuming a variable speed crank head.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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bushav
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Location: Bainbridge GA

Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by bushav »

It is a lot. I’ll have this machine for a long time so replacing all bearings and bushings, belts, bought two special tools for spindle disassembly and dead blow hammer that caught my eye. I also purchased a couple of the instruction/data plates to freshen up the look. I’ve polished out the belt guard while waiting. The machine should make me happier to stand in front of when I am done. My 1941 LeBlond makes me happier since I restored it to its former glory. I guess I am compulsive in that way. I hate dealing with junk!
Last edited by bushav on Sat Feb 18, 2023 7:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
New to live steam
Building 3/4” 4-8-4 Northern &
1” 4-6-2 Pacific
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Bill Shields
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by Bill Shields »

Ah that's it...the dead blow hammer that makes it so pricey
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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bushav
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by bushav »

Piston rods
Piston rods
5704554F-B4BE-4FAA-9CCE-62825F09D555.jpeg (1.48 MiB) Viewed 2072 times


I’m back on the Northern! Made two piston rods and nuts today. Those taps and dies I purchased at the beginning were a necessary purchase. I forgot to order a 5/16-32 tap so two of the locking nuts will be made when the tap arrives.


Turning piston to size
Turning piston to size
36102D32-D546-44EA-9724-D208B8A79589.jpeg (1.41 MiB) Viewed 2072 times


The piston is 12L14. I had tuned up my lathe alignment last month. The effort was effective as I have eliminated any taper along the length of my turning. The pistons are fitting perfect in the cylinder bore. They slide through easily yet have very little play. Tomorrow I will cut the ring grooves, separate the two pistons and face to length. Then, I’ve got to devote some time to studying how to make my cast iron rings. Everything on this project is a “first time” for me.

It is great to be making progress again.
New to live steam
Building 3/4” 4-8-4 Northern &
1” 4-6-2 Pacific
Odyknuck
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by Odyknuck »

Have you considered a commercial ring supplier, rather than making them??
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bushav
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by bushav »

Odyknuck wrote: Sat Feb 18, 2023 10:12 pm Have you considered a commercial ring supplier, rather than making them??
No I haven’t. I am looking forward to the challenge of making my rings. This project for me is as much about learning as it is about having the finished product. My real concern is the fact I’m hundreds of miles from the nearest properly gauged track. I’ve no one near me to mentor me through this journey except for you internet friends.
New to live steam
Building 3/4” 4-8-4 Northern &
1” 4-6-2 Pacific
Odyknuck
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Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Post by Odyknuck »

Hmm! It would appear your next project will be building a Railroad in the back yard lol.
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