Lets build a camelback,, or two. - Printable Version

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Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - MrBill - 03-01-2012

Awesome innovation.

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - Russ Bellinis - 03-02-2012

I'm not into camelbacks, they were never run on the West Coast as far as I know, but this thread is one of the most interesting I've seen anywhere! Awesome work!

Lets build a camelback,, or two. - e-paw - 03-04-2012

Well Russ I do remember reading something about the Santa Fe testing some out back in the early days of camelback design. But they were not a good fit for the western railroads because the hard coal fuel they required had to be shipped from north east Pennsylvania when other sources of fuel could be obtained from near by locations. So any western line that bought a few as a trial, either converted them to end cab standard firebox locos, sold them off, or cut them up for scrap.

In order to remove enough material from the underside of the boilers without going too far I waited full 24 hours for the epoxy to set fully. Next I transferred my measurements on to the boilers belly.     In the next few pics you can see how I started to cut away a small strip of brass from the center of my markings with a Dremel & cut off wheel and work my way out to the edge little bits at a time. The whole time checking that I do not go to far.I was also careful to work my cut slowly without much pressure as to not allow to any heat build up and melt the epoxy or plastic boiler under the brass one.    

   

It is now at the point where the boiler will fit over the weight/motor housing of the drives split frame. I'll cut the other one then work on the final fitting of the boilers to the frame. The firebox sits a little too low and will need some adjusting.     There it is sitting in my Allentown yard also under construction.

Lets build a camelback,, or two. - e-paw - 03-04-2012

Next I have to say "Thanks Pop" to Toptrain for his donation to the cause, A camelback cab from New One. It's the same cab that I used on my 4-8-0. I represents a center cab built by the Brooks loco works of Dunkirk N.Y. ( latter to become part of Alco) . You can tell by the arched window that was a signature of that builder.     Back in the 60's A Japanese company called New One produced a pretty nice cast model of a CNJ 4-6-0 camel. They were only produced for a few years and all suffered from a fatal flaw. The thicker castings all corroded and expanded, destroying the models. Very few survive in good shape today and are becoming more & more difficult to come by. This one is in excellent condition and will be used as a master for me to cast copies from for this build. I striped what was left of the remaining paint from the cab and cleaned off some flashing from around the windows and bottom of the cab. This will require a more complicated mold than the others that I did for the firebox. I will go into more detail on the mold making process on the cab than I did with the firebox.

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - sailormatlac - 03-04-2012

Good to see the glued boiler survived the chirurgy. I guess it will make life easier for you in the loag term when doing the final assembly.

Matt

Lets build a camelback,, or two. - e-paw - 03-04-2012

Well Matt, so far, so good with the boilers. Now back to the cabs. The first step with the molds for the cabs was to pack the inside of the master with "kleen klay" until it overflowed past the windows. This was done because I will make the mold for the exterior of the cab first.    

I then cut a small dowel and inserted it where the boiler would normally set. The dowel was sprayed with dull coat first to seal the grains of the wood to make removal from the mold easier. The dowel will also act as a "key" to help keep the two parts of the mold true during the casting process. After that I cut away the excess clay from the windows to leave a flush surface with the outside edge of the cab, As shown here     I had also set the master into a flat slab of more of the "kleen Klay" to insure that there is a good seal on the uneven surfaces of the dowel and master. This was also trimmed flush with the edge of the cab.

I then built a box from foam board and hot glue as with the first ones.    
I mixed 2 1/2 ounces of each part of the rtv mold mix and poured it as before.    

I just hope that in 4 hours I will have a good mold.

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - e-paw - 03-05-2012

The silicone has cured fully and I have removed the clay and dowel from the first part of the mold.     Before I can pour the 2nd half of the mold I need to provide a way to pour the resin in and the allow air to escape from. With some CA glue I lightly attached a section of scrap plastic straw into each corner of the master just below the windows. this will give the air somewhere to go as the resin enters the mold and allow me to know when the resin has completely filled it. I then took a larger piece of scrap wood and glued it to the threaded hole that was for the old mounting screw. this will be where I pour the resin in to make the casting.     When this was all set I coated this part of the mold with mold release on all sides and built another box from foam board just like the first time. I poured the second half this morning, and in a little bit I'll demold it and see what I have.

Lets build a camelback,, or two. - e-paw - 03-05-2012

Well it came out just fine.     I'll make a first casting run tomorrow.

Lets build a camelback,, or two. - e-paw - 03-10-2012

The cabs are cast, and came out well. Here is a few shots of the first one fresh out of the mold.

   

   

They still need some cleaning up and I have to fill in a spot where an air bubble was trapped on the upper corner of roof.

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - sailormatlac - 03-10-2012

I'm impressed how you get good casting from your first try. Looks easy when the modl is well designed.

Matt

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - CNJ774 - 04-12-2012

Howdy; Great work! One of my projects on the back burner is kitbashing the 4 "New One 35 " CNJ camelbacks I have in various states of decay, with a Bachmann 4-6-0 into a single camelback. Ever thought of marketing your camelback detail parts? Have fun - Dave Cheers

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - toptrain - 05-13-2012

Hey E-paw. Steve remember April 29th. pop

   

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - doctorwayne - 05-13-2012

Hey Pop! Check your PMs. The one I sent to you in February is still languishing in my "Outbox". Wink Misngth

Wayne

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - e-paw - 05-28-2012

I took advantage of the long weekend and got back to work on the 2-10-0's. I fitted the back heads to the fireboxes, and installed the lagging (styrene wrapper) over them. The rear shelters were also installed in place at the end of the fireboxes. I just placed the cabs in there approximate location for the photos, but the boiler bands are glued into place along with the sand domes. I am waiting for the body filler to harden up enough to sand on the locos, you can see some of it where the firebox wrapper joins the castings that I poured earlier. I have also cut a set of air tanks from brass and filled the ends with putty. There is also a set of steam domes the I have reworked from old Lee-Town castings that are waiting sanding, so that can be glued into place.    

    You'll also notice,at the bottom edge of the fireboxes, I have installed the ash pans.

Re: Lets build a camelback,, or two. - CNJ774 - 05-30-2012

Wow, looking great!!! A bit OT, but here's acouple of interesting camelback links I've come across:

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<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=10731">http://www.tycoforums.com/tyco/forum/to ... C_ID=10731</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/2641">http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/2641</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.altoonaworks.info/pics/contributor/g-mittner/prr_e1_820.jpg">http://www.altoonaworks.info/pics/contr ... e1_820.jpg</a><!-- m -->

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Have fun - Dave Cheers