Projects

7 1/4" Linda

The job that started Shawe Engineering, completing a 7 1/4" gauge model of the Ffestiniog Railway’s Linda. It was bought by the current owner as a well progressed set of parts which in theory just needed final fitting and painting.

The copper boiler was deemed uneconomical to cure the leaks and issues present; the owner then sourced a new welded steel boiler.

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I started by fitting out the steel boiler with the necessary fittings and plumbing, including representations of original Hunslet steam valves and clacks which were designed and made in house. The regulator is a commercial ball valve operated such that full opening was achieved despite the limited handle movement between the water gauges. The boiler was then fitted to the frames. A grate and ashpan support was made and fitted. I designed and made, from laser cut parts, the ashpan and boiler cladding both out of stainless steel. The boiler was finished off with firebox and turret bezels that I formed.

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The platework that was supplied appeared complete, though the tank and cab had to be modified to fit correctly. Scale sanders were designed and fitted to the front of the tank complete with functioning linkages.

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I designed and fitted full vacuum brake equipment featuring a representative train pipe, ejector exhaust along the tank and exhausting up the chimney. The owner requested a powered loco brake; for this, I designed and manufactured a vacuum brake cylinder in the cab along with associated linkages and extra plumbing, including a vacuum chamber.

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The fully painted chassis gave the impression to the owner and I that it should have only required checking and final assembly; however, this proved to be far from the case. The axle boxes were stripped and checked before refitting. The outside motion needing minor work including building up and re-machining the crosshead slippers. None of the inside motion fitted correctly. The valve gear had to be straightened such that both sets were the same. The valve rocker bores were not square to the arm and didn’t fit the rocker shaft; all four were machined and bushed. One pair of the rocker arms were significantly the wrong angle so were altered to suit. The leading spring hanger cross arm and drop link for the truck compensation were measured up and manufactured before forming the four sets of spring leaves.

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I made a pair of lubricator pumps and a drive mechanism to fit inside the supplied tank which was finished off with a hinged lid which was also flanged to prevent water getting inside. Remote oil pots were fitted where necessary to ensure ease of lubrication in service. The steam-operated draincocks required work to make them function correctly. Functioning tallow cups on the front of the cylinders were made by modifying off-the-shelf valves.

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The whole engine was then fully plumbed, including an integrated air supply for fire lighting. Injectors were made to represent the layout of the prototype and ball valves for the water supply were made and modified to operate as per the prototype. I made and fitted the whistle and valve.

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The steel work was shot blasted then primed. Filler was applied to the tank which had been distorted when soldered together by a previous builder. The brass tank and stainless parts were etch primed. I sprayed the green on before detailing and edges were picked out by hand in black. I applied the lining with a brush by hand.

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A few days of testing proved it to be a very capable engine with a remarkably similar personality to the prototype.