| Project by huff | posted 169 days ago | 1052 views | 3 times favorited | 28 comments | ![]() |
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I built this steam engine and coal car for my father a few years ago. He had a great love of steam engines so when I found a set of blue prints for this Reading Railroads engine ( he was from Pennsylvania) I had to make it for him for Christmas. I have over 200 hours in the engine, coal car, track and bridge. All made in walnut from my scrap pile. After my father passed, my mother thought I should have it back. Since then I found the blue prints for the passenger car so decided to make two of them to add to the set. It’s taken a long time to get all the seats done and now I’m ready to do the sides and top. Once the sides and top go on you won’t be able to see all the detail in the seats, but that’s Okay, I KNOW!! I now have the blue prints for a coal hopper and the cabbose. (that’s next years project). The engine and coal car is approx 3 feet long, the two passenger cars will add another 3 1/2 feet to the overall length and when finished with the coal hopper and cabbose the overall train will be over 9 feet long. Looks like I have a lot more track to make. My Dad loved the steam engine, so I want to finish it even though he is no longer with us.
-- John @ Myrtle Beach

































28 comments so far
kiwi1969
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601 posts in 338 days
posted 169 days ago
Once the sides and top go on you won’t be able to see all the detail in the seats, but that’s Okay The important thing is you know the details are there and on a great piece like this thats what makes the difference. Wonderful project.
-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand
bowyer
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342 posts in 292 days
posted 169 days ago
The Train is stunning!!Your skill and Love for your Dad show thru in this project
Rick
-- If at first you don't succeed...Don't try skydiving
tenontim
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1319 posts in 640 days
posted 169 days ago
Beautiful job! I know your Dad was proud of this. Handmade gifts are the most cherished. Thanks for the post.
-- Tim -- http://tmuli.com
CharlieM1958
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7654 posts in 1114 days
posted 169 days ago
Wow! Incredible detailing!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
ND2ELK
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6202 posts in 670 days
posted 169 days ago
Exquisite detail and design. I am sure your dad was very pleased with his gift. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Rj
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563 posts in 527 days
posted 169 days ago
Oh My!!! This is Outstanding, you did such a Great job.
Thanks for posting!!
-- Rj's Woodworks,San Jose & Weed Ca,
scrappy
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1628 posts in 326 days
posted 169 days ago
Fantastic job! Great detail. Lots of love and patience went into this.
Keep it up.
Scrappy
-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!
a1Jim
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16910 posts in 473 days
posted 169 days ago
wooooo wooooo wonderful outstanding job outrageous details so fine
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon
BeachedBones
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187 posts in 298 days
posted 169 days ago
Beautiful work, and it’s already become an heirloom piece!
-- You know.... I think that old wood needs to be furniture.
lightweightladyleftie
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417 posts in 608 days
posted 169 days ago
What incredible detail work! Thanks for sharing such an outstanding train. (It really beats a Lionel.)
-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
George Barreras
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73 posts in 188 days
posted 169 days ago
Absolutely incredible attention to detail. I am sure you made your father proud. Greeeeat job.
-- Nubs,Reserve
Chris Dehmer
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20 posts in 233 days
posted 169 days ago
That is fantastic. I had to show my wife that it isn’t only me that worries about details nobody else would know about. Thanks for sharing.
-- Chris,Atlanta Georgia,www.darkhorsewoodworks.com
Shopsmithtom
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408 posts in 1091 days
posted 169 days ago
This it it!!! The perfect blend of my 2 favorite hobbies. I absolutely love it. If my son had made something like this for me…I don’t think I even have words for that. Great, great job. -SST
-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you
woodpeckerbill
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42 posts in 169 days
posted 169 days ago
Wow! Truly great attention to detail. Your skills really shine.
Minuteman
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53 posts in 272 days
posted 169 days ago
Great Job and love the attention to detail.
-- Major Walt Timoschuk,III
miles125
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1425 posts in 901 days
posted 169 days ago
Man! A beautiful labor of love.
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""
Splinterman
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4875 posts in 257 days
posted 168 days ago
I think your Dad would be really proud of your fabulous achievement.
-- I will just keep doing it till I get it right.
xingyun13
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10 posts in 190 days
posted 168 days ago
Wow! 天那,让人大吃一惊的作品!太漂亮了
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 619 days
posted 168 days ago
John, you’ve done a magnificent job on this. Thanks for posting it and the story behind it.
-- Martin, Kansas
mtkate
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664 posts in 221 days
posted 168 days ago
whoa. Beautiful.
Dalbergian
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56 posts in 96 days
posted 88 days ago
Spectacular work,your creative eye is only matched by the love you clearly have for your Dad.I say have because that love never goes away…
Very impressive.
-- "Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible." ~ Frank Zappa
David_Bethune
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243 posts in 289 days
posted 88 days ago
This is incredible workmanship. I love it. I made a train out of moose antler but it’s NOTHING compared to this one. Are you willing to share the blueprints? I would love to give it a go. I had no plans for mine just pictures.
Anyhow FANTASTIC job. A true family heirloom.
burl
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16 posts in 74 days
posted 68 days ago
huff,
beautiful. awe inspiring detail. I know I wouldn’t have the patience. I’m really glad that you do!! Thanks for sharing your work and thoughts.
-- burl, Indiana,
blockhead
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295 posts in 204 days
posted 65 days ago
Wow!! That is just crazy good!! I’m with Burl, I don’t think I would have the patience either. Thanks for posting and again, wonderful job!!
-- Brad, Oregon- Wood, it's what's for dinner.
Loucarb
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951 posts in 341 days
posted 44 days ago
John,
First of all thank you for the kind words about the jeeps they were well appreciated. I am sorry I missed this posting I usually look for these kind of projects because I know how difficult and time consuming they can be. Your steam engine is incredible and the detail is amazing. I am sure your father cherished it. There is no better tribute then making something by hand and from the heart. I also love your bandsaw boxes something I want to try in the future and hopefully they will come out half as nice. Lou
shavins
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25 posts in 55 days
posted 40 days ago
unbelievable work, well done! thanks also for viewing my chair
-- shavins
TexasDawg
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27 posts in 115 days
posted 4 days ago
That is awesome, where did you find the blueprints?
-- "If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you."
GaryBuck
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127 posts in 122 days
posted 8 hours ago
Big fan of your work, but this is off the chart. Amazing detail, great job thanks for sharing. Just a thought maybe you could build the top and sides to just sit on it and be able to remove to show all the detail you put into the inside. I think it would be a shame to block that off.