Category Archives: Trains

Rebuilding the Shay (part 5) – boiler and gas tank

Since the last update, I have had the boiler tested by the helpful people in my local model engineering society. They also had a look at the gas tank.  Garden-gauge steam locomotives, particularly those with commercially-made boilers, don’t normally need … Continue reading

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Rebuilding the Shay (part 4) – variations

I have been discussing the Steamlines Shay with various other owners of this kit in the 16mm Association. The kit was sold by Tom Cooper in the 1990s under his “Merlin” or “Steamlines” brands. The contents of this kit varied … Continue reading

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Rebuilding the Shay (part 3) – The instructions

The Shay kit that was sold by Steamlines in the 1990s was accompanied by a VHS cassette showing how to build it. There are also paper instructions – mostly on A3 – with some guidance, but a lot is left … Continue reading

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Rebuilding the Shay (part 2) – Linkages

One of the great things about a Shay locomotive is the unique drive train – a flexible axle running along one side of the locomotive from the power unit (crankshaft) to the bogie trucks. This Wikipedia page has more information … Continue reading

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Rebuilding the Shay (part 1 of many)

April 2022 Progress on rebuilding the Steamlines Shay kit Continue reading

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Slate wagon kit roundup

A quick look at the slate wagons kits available in 16mm/ft at the moment (Autumn 2021)… ‘uss_Raven74656’ on ebay – £8 – https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194296426551 3D printed model of the steel slate wagon The Lineside hut – £9 – https://www.thelinesidehut.co.uk/quarry-slate-wagons.html Laser cut … Continue reading

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A list of preserved railways in Britain

Whilst on holiday we visited the North York Moors railway near Whitby. I wondered what the longest length of preserved railway line is in Britain, and does someone have a handy list. The answer seems to be no. So here … Continue reading

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3D printing on a 2D printer

One of the great things about having a 3D printer is the vast online library of things that one can print. Sites such as thingiverse contain everything you never knew you needed – from an airbrush stand to Lego bricks … Continue reading

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How to fail at painting something to look like steel.

The short version: don’t use car touch-up paints for large flat areas. I bought a wagon for my garden railway a few years ago. I thought it was an oil wagon but it turns out to be a model of … Continue reading

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Running on air

I am building a steam locomotive from a kit. Last week, I tried steaming up for the first time, and it was a very exciting success. The instructions discuss correcting the timing, and then running in. To do the timing, … Continue reading

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