Wood Scale Models #5: 1949 Reading Steam Freight Train Part # 5

WOW!! That is an awesome engine. How many hours have you got into that? Very nice work.

It looks like you could use the tender as a hand plane until you get wheels on it. :)

-- "A goal without a plan is a wish."

Hi Bret, I just came across your blog. Looking good. I too build model locomotives in wood. I use an 1-1/2” to the foot scale. I have built three locomotives now and all are powered by electric motors. I intent to one day run them by remote control on mt 8 acres of land. I had a problem posting an image, but finally did. See second reply down. It measures about 4’ long x 12” w x 14” high. It is a scale model of the first diesel electric locomotive used on an American railroad. It is powered by two 12 V motors. Headlights come from $1.00 plastic flashlights. Trucks are all metal home made. The rest is common household materials. Total cost was under $100. Model building is now on the back burner. I am building a CNC router. It should help me make locomotives easier in the future. The next picture down shows a model of a Swedish electri locomotive of the 1920’s. It actually had an all wood body so building my model from wood was appropiate. It too is powered by a 24V motor from a scooter. It is an old picture and doesn’t show all the little fittings, like pantograph, handrails, handles, steps bumpers or couplers, but they are now installed. I have a third model of a Long Island camelback locomotive and tender, actually my first model. It requires some repair as it has been sitting around for 10 years.

That is gorgeous! Amazing attention to detail. Are you going to paint it or let the natural wood shine through? I am in awe.

-- Kay - Just a girl who loves wood.

That is a very nice engine,cant wait to see the tender.
Chuck

-- Chuck, wiswood2 www.wisconsinwoodchuck.com

Thanks everyone for your comments. Mr Ron your trains look awesome. Glad you posted them. I have thought about how neat it would be to put an electric motor on it.

Bret

-- http://public.fotki.com/bj383ss/

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I am going to go read your whole blog before I say anything else – I just realized this was a whole series.

-- Kay - Just a girl who loves wood.

Awesome man!! Just awesome!! Was wonderin’ whatcha been up to!

-- Handcrafted toys, models & gifts at -- http://www.wolfwoodworks.com

Very nice, yes very nice indeed. I think I will keep you on my buddy list to keep track of progress. Doug

-- A childs smile is payment enough.

Please accept my apology for posting here. I really should have posted in a new blog, but I didn’t have many pictures showing the stages of construction. Bret, your engine would look great running under its own power. Shouldn’t be too difficult to power. What scale are you building in? I think I will start a new blog so as not to cause confusion.

Ron the plans say it is approximately 1/38th scale which is between to standard scales I believe. I don’t plan on putting a motor in it. Maybe the next one I build I will. I have been working on this train off and on since last October and I really want to finish it and get it off the bench.

Ampeater I checked my work log and I have approximately 68 hours in this build!

Bret

-- http://public.fotki.com/bj383ss/

I love the engine, I must admit one of my goals when getting into woodworking is to build a steam locomotive. I purchased a set of plans with in days of buying my first few bench tools. Man I was not ready to the complexity involved in that. The trains always remind me of being a boy. Great job!! looks amazying

-- two men walk into a bar the third one ducks, which are you??

One word Bret, impressive!

-- Loving the outdoors since 1981!

That is incredibly detailed. Wow! You’re a real train-builder. Awesome!

-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net