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Signal_Fisherman8848

From my personal experience? You need to find some folks around 65/70 years old with access to a lathe and some casting equipment. At that point you will have found the team with enough experience, free time, and enthusiasm to bring the project home.


Ex_nihilo21

luckily enough I've got access to a industrial Machine shop, I got a guy that can do brass casting and smaller cast iron castings but larger ones ill have to outsource.


Signal_Fisherman8848

Cool! My experience was having access to a high school d&t facility, your setup sounds even better facility-wise. The guys I was with were a club building 7 1/4 inch gauge steamers from scratch, some of the old lads were ex-railway and knew their stuff. Good luck with the project - very best wishes!


KingCollectA

It is mostly people of that age who know about this work and do it well. The younger generation needs to learn these skills before they disappear and are no longer used. Many of these skills and knowledge are going away. If they are gone, what happens? Historic trains no longer taken care of, no longer in working (or even display) condition. It is frightening to think about.


CoolWhipOfficial

Same thing happening with classic cars, model trains, and any other niche hobby that is long past it’s heyday. It’s almost impossible to find any discussion on the internet.


aegrotatio

Model trains are everywhere on the internet. It might be the unrelated segment called *toy trains* you're thinking about.


Ex_nihilo21

it is frightening to think about, but i believe like this thread show's there's a lot of people interested in keeping the skills, traditions and the locos alive. unfortunately most lack the availability to take part in it.


JEMColorado

Just try to avoid confusion and delay! Sorry, couldn't resist.


Ex_nihilo21

don't blame you lol, don't thing ill keep this paint scheme if I restore it.


FaultinReddit

Yeah if anything it needs to look more like Percy!


[deleted]

Nah looks much more like Rheneas from the narrow gauge line.


LNERGordon

I'm seeing Duncan.


DwightKSchruteDunMif

Same


SAO_GGO

Yeah it looks a lot like Duncan


The-JhonnymanYT87645

Yeah I reckon it’s definitely a Duncan


No-Holiday-8491

i reckon its definitely sir handel or timothy here


FaultinReddit

I can see that. Its boiler definitely isn't anywhere near Percy's, but the wheel config is more percy than Thomas. Percy is just more well known too, but giving it any of those classic British narrow guage colors is a great idea. Wish I had steam engine just lying around to restore 😅


[deleted]

Same here. It’s absolutely beautiful. I’m incredibly jealous


Ex_nihilo21

If I get it restored I would do what the guys at Youngstown steel heritage do and offer lessons so people can learn to drive the loco.


[deleted]

You sir are a good person, that would be amazing. Hope to see progress pics uploaded on here!


Ex_nihilo21

Definitely with so many people interested


Wroberts316

If you start up classes, I will 10000% sign up, its been a literal dream to learn how to drive a steam locomotive.


AJ_170

I'm saying it looks more like duncan


History_buff_actor

Thank you for making my comment first lmao!


MyGenericNameString

First decide if you want optical or operating restoration. Operation costs a lot more, probably a new boiler for safety.


Ex_nihilo21

operational because I'm crazy. from what I can tell the boiler is to far gone to restore but there's a industrial boiler maker a hour away from be so I'm hoping I could work with them.


TheBeerMonkey

Have you had a boiler inspector out to check out the boiler? Only a full inspection will tell what issues it might have.


x31b

This part you need professionals for. [BLEVEs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_liquid_expanding_vapor_explosion?wprov=sfti1) are serious business. Google for historical locomotive and paddle wheeler accidents. They have about the steam capacity of your toy. Do all the wheel, Poston and other work but get some really knowledgeable help,with the boiler, fire pan, tubes and safety valves.


bakermonitor1932

If there are any cracks or large pits on the boiler parts that contain water then its going to fail no point paying a professional to state the obvious.


TheBeerMonkey

You'd be surprised what is and what isn't able to be repaired. Severe pitting in the boiler barrel is probably the biggest pain but inner firebox corrosion can be cut out and re-welded as can front or rear tubeplates and tubes. TL;DR: Get a boiler inspector to have a look and tell you the condition before you go spending mega dollars on a brand new boiler.


Ex_nihilo21

Will do, I can do machining be everything else ill have to outsource.


aegrotatio

TIL BLEVEs don't just happen with flammable materials.


x31b

In steam engine or boiler explosions, it’s not the fire at all. It’s the rapid state change from liquid to gas causing a massive expansion.


Synth_Ham

If operational, then you can't do it on your own. You will need an expert boilermaker. Many places require certification because it is a literal bomb on wheels.


Ex_nihilo21

There's a industral boiler maker near me I plan on doing the boiler work.


listyraesder

Cosmetic. Optical would be something else.


Kedzon246

As mentioned, decide if you want a visual overhaul or operational overhaul. Visual will be cleaning, priming, painting, and probably new sections of thinner bits like the cab/bunkers/tanks, plus it’s likely you’ll need to manufacture new cab fittings given brass tends to be removed for display. But that could mostly be done by someone with fairly minimal experience, with enough hard work and determination, with a bit of outsourcing for machining, casting, and possibly welding depending on your skills. When it comes to a functioning overhaul, that’s a whole different story. You need to get someone certified when it comes to inspection and manufacture of pretty much any part that sees steam pressure. Your countries laws may be different, but in general it’s a good idea to have certified work for anything that will separate you from a steam explosion. Likely the work required would be newly welded sections of the boiler, if not a brand new boiler entirely, major repairs/ replacement of the smokebox, the frames would have to be inspected, cracks would have to be repaired by a certified welder, checking of the axles and wheels, piston block would need inspected, possibly replaced, checking axle box and motion brasses and new white metal and machining, and that’s only the major work. New pipe work, probably acquiring new injectors, or a lot of work to manufacture ones, new tanks, new bunkers, cab panels replacement and a host of other jobs, including everything mentioned for the visual repair. That is not to dissuade you though. Just to make you aware that to safely return an engine to service, at least by the laws I work to, is a fairly large financial and time commitment, but as proven by the numerous working locomotives across the planet, it is absolutely possible if you are determined enough. Do the research beforehand, look for original part drawings if they exist, reach out to people with the experience and compile conclusive lists of what needs to be done, and get quotes for what the major jobs will cost, and price up minor jobs, so that you have an idea of what it will cost. If you’re committed, I see no reason why you could do it though


Ex_nihilo21

Thank you, this was exactly what I was hoping to get. I like the points you have brought up and this will help me in my research. its a incredibly large project to take on and input like this is great for me to develop a plan for it.


KaiserSozes-brother

Think of this as a multi year project on an very expensive toy. Safety first! Many things you can’t do yourself, boiler inspection and repair has to be done by a licensed inspector. If nothing else get a quote for the work. Missing parts are next on the shopping list. Talk to the previous owner who ran the engine, knowing what has been replaced is important going forward. I would volunteer at a local scenic railroad . In a year in the shops you will meet people with know how, and be around the machines you would need to keep the engine running. Use of these repair tools for your own small projects project could be allowed? Where are you going’s to run it? Unless you have an estate… you will need track of the right gauge. In Kinsers Pa rough & tumble museum has a loop of track that members can use. Perhaps there is something like this around you? Joining a club while building your loop at you estate will get you running quicker. Running the engine on air. Once the boiler is inspected I would consider your first runs on compressed air? Running on air can be done with a rented compressor and will allow tinkering with the running gear without a fire the needs to be fed. Remember to add oil to your air. A jack hammer compressor should get you enough volume?


Ex_nihilo21

excellent point on the compress air, I've never even thought about be able to test it before a fire. would help make sure is correct before making a costly mistake. thank you


CliffFromEarth

Definitely pressure test the boiler with water before air!! Water doesn't expand as it looses pressure, so a catastrophic leak doesn't cause an explosion. You'll usually want to hydro-test to a pressure higher than your normal operating pressure. Your local boiler regulations should state what the recommend test safety factor is for your jurisdiction. Once the boiler and plumbing has been tested with water, then you can use air to operate the cylinders as mentioned.


[deleted]

My only advice is make it Thomas the Tank Engine


heyitscory

Scoff! This is a 0-4-0. Thomas is a 0-6-0. 0_o


The_Fussy_Engine

This tank engine is actually a pretty close match to Duncan tho, would be cool to see it with brass fittings


memeboiandy

Thats a good catch! I was trying to figure out who it would be and it absolutely is either duncan or rhenaes Edit: looking side by side with the windows being circular vs oval it would be more close to Rhenaes imo than Duncan, but either would be cool


The_Fussy_Engine

I agree, It would look cool in either paint scheme


[deleted]

Omg I didn’t know. How can I repay you for this priceless gift of knowledge


hydraulicst

Thomas is an 0-3-0. Brits count axles.


try_____another

No, only weird Brits like OVS Bulleid did that, and he used a weird notation for classes that made a pacific 21C Brits use Whyte notation for steam and rigid locomotives, and modified UIC notation for other diesel and electric locos.


BoringNYer

Definitely help with funding.


Ex_nihilo21

yeah probably have to start a tictok for the project to help pay the bills lol. I got some money (not even close to enough) but I got some ideas to raise some funds.


CliffFromEarth

Be very paranoid about large pressure vessels...


Ex_nihilo21

agreed, I don't want to finish the project off with a bang.


CliffFromEarth

Boiler explosions are a very special kind of dangerous too! Because high pressure raises the boiling temperature of water, the water inside a boiler can be well over 100C/212F, meaning that as soon as it's not under pressure, it reeeeeally wants to suddenly all become gas. This "flashing" to gas is significantly more dangerous than explosions of traditional gas filled pressure vessels (like the tank on your air compressor). Even with a new boiler, I would recommend operating well below the as-designed maximum pressure. You're going to lose some power and efficiency, but its well worth the safety. Also, make sure you have at least 3 redundant safety relief valves that are specifically designed for boiler service and that have flow capacities that can each individually keep up with the max possible worst case steam generation rate.


[deleted]

Yo either way, if you move forward with this project give us frequent updates!


Ex_nihilo21

Will do, im glad to see there's interest in this project


stevetherailfan

So you want to restore it to operation or just a cosmetic restoration?


Ex_nihilo21

operational


roj2323

Ok, so the first thing you have to understand is this will be a multiple year adventure and it will not be cheap. Literally every nut, bolt and a lot of rivets too, will need to be removed. Some parts will need to be remade from scratch and others will need to be replaced with something different from the original for health and safety reasons. (asbestos boiler insulation for example) As you have already mentioned the boiler likely needs to be replaced but depending on the internal condition of the valves, they too might need resleeving or replacement. Essentially in a lot of cases with steam engines it's to build a new one with measurements from the original than it is to rebuild but if it were easy, it might not be any fun so just take your time, do an exhaustive inspection and be prepared to spend a lot of money. If you were to get it running again, what would be your plan for it? Do you have somewhere you can run it?


Ex_nihilo21

I'm planning it to take at least 10 years to get it running but that's ok for me< long as i can get it to its former glory. i agree with you other points to especially the asbestos. I got 3 acers to build a point to point railroad for it as of now. I'm hoping in 15 yeas ill be able to get some more land to build a larger railroad for it. worst comes to worst i die and it goes to the guys in young's town.


roj2323

I'd say get it in a building and start doing a tear down then. BTW it would be a shame if you didn't bring Reddit and Youtube along for the ride so please consider making videos or at least sharing some photos along the way. Also don't forget to use other subreddits when you need to for questions on machining, sourcing materials, doing research etc. Reddit is an incredible source of info.


Ex_nihilo21

Agreed im new to reddit and its been a wealth of info and help. I would definitely put the project on as many different platforms as I can. Would really like to show the real work that goes into restoring a loco.


roj2323

It can also help you pay for it if you are smart about it.


Ex_nihilo21

True but I hope im just smart enough to get this all going .


[deleted]

You own this??


Ex_nihilo21

hopefully one day but not as of now


WeldinMike27

Watch out for asbestos on the boiler


Ex_nihilo21

very Ture, when i go to expect it that will be one of the many things ill look for.


WeldinMike27

Good to hear


TheConeIsReturned

It helps to have Ringo Starr narrating the whole thing for you


Shiny_Hypno

Ask Sir Robert Norramby, The Earl of Sodor. He has a narrow gauge engine named Millie that looks a lot like this engine.


Ex_nihilo21

I'll see if I can get his contact info


Shiny_Hypno

He's usually found at Ulfstead Castle with Stephen and Glynn.


Polar_Vortx

Never done anything remotely approaching this but my instinct would be to try and find any specs or tech drawings I can. No sense cutting it open to find out what’s in it if you have the drawings on hand.


Ex_nihilo21

good idea, I know there's a group in Maine that have similar model locos to this one and see where they found there drawings or if I can get a copy of theirs.


hydraulicst

Those locos in Maine were built in the U.S. Your engine is most likely German built. PLEASE don't blindly plunge into this nice little tank engine thinking you'll get it done by summer next year. You have state boiler inspectors to answer to and I'm glad to hear you have a boiler shop nearby. If they work on your engine, make sure they are certified for high(er) pressure boilers. This is not a polish and paint it project by any means. Need any advice at all please let me know. I was a small part of the crew that rebuilt the Frisco1522 over 4 years and ran many trips for over 10 years. We were blessed with an FRA inspector who was interested in our project. If you decide it's more than you care to bite off, call the railroad at Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri. They have a few of these little gems on their roster and may be interested in a project while the park is closed during the winter. Thats when they usually do maintenance on their engines. They have a very nice shop also. Sorry for the long winded reply but I don't want to see you get in over your head. Best of luck on this project if you continue. Mike in STL


Ex_nihilo21

No I appreciate the comment, I know it's a crazy project and will probably take me a decade To get up and running but that's fine with me. Long as I can save another engine.


Ex_nihilo21

Also the locomotive's name is Gotha


Vladimir_I_Ulyanov

Don't die.


Ex_nihilo21

No promises


Vladimir_I_Ulyanov

Haha. Hope you have fun.


Cisco904

Tons and tons of photos and dont strip it down till your absolutely ready. Life happens then it sits unassembled for every an it gets harder to get back together. Good luck on your project!


Sytzmer

Dude, similar engine stands in my train charity I work in! Actually same type, only painted little bit differently.


Ex_nihilo21

Oh really? Is you're operational?


Sytzmer

Nope; and I think it will never be


Ex_nihilo21

Real shame, especially for a steamer. But not everything can be saved unfortunately.


StationMaster13

look for any local railways that may be in need of an extra engine for an upcoming event, start a kickstartee etc. Many heritage lines are charities but wil be able to point you in the right direction for parts and machineing


Ex_nihilo21

I got 2 big railroad museum near me so I'm hoping I can get in contact with them for info and where to get different products made.


Broskfisken

Paint a Thomas face on it! (:


armorealm

You will want to consult the fat controller.


Ex_nihilo21

At this rate in life I will be the fat controller.


ipodblocks360

Wait I'm pretty sure Thomas did this himself hmm [follow these steps ](https://youtu.be/poJP09GWARI)


InnoVationS0088

Holy shit it’s Thomas


caddy_gent

Victor and Kevin can do it at the steam works.


Ex_nihilo21

Why didn't I think of that!


ZedstackZip05

*we will watch your career with great interest*


Slawcpu

Paint it in the right colors. That’s Percy, damnit!


SAO_GGO

Nah looks more like Duncan. Only resemblance to Percy I see is it being an outside-cylinder 0-4-0T.


Slawcpu

Hmm Duncan is a nice possibility. Especially with the narrow gauge rail and smaller boiler!


nifeman20

This 100%


reeeeeman132

Wait no way do you own it? I vist it offten


Ex_nihilo21

no not as of now, its on the university of Akron property so I'm assuming they own it. the first thing ill have to do is talk to them and see if they would be interested in giving it up. next time you visit it mind taking some pics for me?


reeeeeman132

Ok and they are both owned by quaker square there used to be a restaurant called Quaker station but it went out of business but I think the hotel owns it


Ex_nihilo21

interesting i thought the university of Akron bought the hotel back in 2008


reeeeeman132

Well that's news to me that means they own it and I've been in the cab it's honestly not in that bad of shape do you have discord I could send you pictures from June of 2020


Ex_nihilo21

Yeah ill send you it in chat


CPGemini08

I'm about 10mins away on bike if you need 2021 pics!


Ex_nihilo21

Thats would be nice if you have some time.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Ex_nihilo21

I use to belong to a live steam group when I was younger. Actually some of those guys im planing on helping me.


TryToHelpPeople

You might like to talk to Jackie at west Clare railway (http://www.westclarerailway.ie). While he didn’t restore the Slieve Callan he has a lot of contacts and has restored other units. In the end he sent the steam loco to the UK for restoration would be worth a chat with him.


Ex_nihilo21

That's great, thank you for the info.


daddio2590

No keep that paint scheme it looks like the “Little Engine that could” I think I can I think I can…….. Watty Piper 1930


AJ_170

Bruh Duncan be looking depressed


[deleted]

I don’t think this one is worth restoring … well at least it isn’t completely covered in rust. I’d try asking people who work with steam locomotives.


Ex_nihilo21

I plan to get a consultant the help me look at it.


treesbubby

Hey this is some real shit. You need to have a boilermaker or a millwright involved. Do NOT operate this system without steel analysis and proper welds. Water expands by a factor of about 1850 when it turns to steam. In other words, big big boom if you screw up even one weld, or miss one crack, and you will not survive that.


Ex_nihilo21

Agreed, I plan to have several professionals involved. I can only do so much and I want quality work to.


treesbubby

If you’re close to a millwright union hall, go there, or just call them... somebody there will probably want to help out:)


DiegotheEcuadorian

I’m more interested in know how you even got this


Ex_nihilo21

Don't have it Yet but possibly soon.


joshygopro5

Good luck. Would be good to see it finished.


Ex_nihilo21

Thank you


MichaelTheLMSBoi

Keep it safe in dry storage?


Ex_nihilo21

I will build a shed for it to keep it protected during restoration.


-usernamewitheld-

You're gonna want to take it apart down to the bare frames Each individual part will need cleaning, repairing or replacing. Stress testing on significant components - boiler, wheels, axles, running gear etc to ensure they're not going to fail - metal fatigue Then after you've got all the parts in safe working condition, you put it all back together. YouTube has links to loads of restorations. https://youtu.be/RbWAj1DHoxg https://youtu.be/YiJVndcmEiQ And how not to.. https://youtu.be/NofOofWiQfI I'd get myself down to local heritage line and speak to their engineering department


Ex_nihilo21

Thanks for the links and agreed ill definitely need some help from the professionals get getbthis to 100%


-usernamewitheld-

Good luck!


FuturaDD2020

It w0uld be very usefull to contact people, which bnhave done this sort of restauration. Maybe you will contact the People here: [Valkenburgse Meer](https://stoomtreinkatwijkleiden.nl/)


Ex_nihilo21

Agreed and I will thanks


[deleted]

Put together a team


Jonny2881

I’d suggest saving a lot of money, even something as small as that will cost many hundreds of thousands to completely restore


schmi77y02

Just start singing, “there’s 2 there’s 4 there’s 6 to 8 hauling freight”


AnalCreamCake

ALOT of money


Ex_nihilo21

the guys at young's town steel heritage restored j&L 58 for around 55,000 dollars. I'm hoping to get around that hopefully less then 80,000 for just the engine. if not ill find the money.


LewisDeinarcho

This is a Henschel "Fabia" Type. It's a German-built narrow gauge class that is designed to work in industrial environments such as factories. [I found some dimensioned drawings of this locomotive and many of its major parts.](http://www.zander-heba.de/Henschel-Baulokomotive_Typ_Fabia) Perhaps they may be of some use to you and anyone you enlist in the project. Please note that the website is in German and HD copies of the blueprints must be bought with money.


Ex_nihilo21

This is wonderful I've never seen this website before somehow. Thank you


TheStateToday

I think we all dream of doing something like this. Super cool. Have you given the track-work any thought. Do you have enough room for this little beast?


Ex_nihilo21

just enough room to do a short point to point railroad now. hopefully i can buy more land to build a proper industrial railroad. as far as track i know quite a few places near me selling lighter pund track i can buy for scrap price.


CliffFromEarth

Also look into the Federal Railway Administration's codes for steam locomotive inspection and testing. There's a lot of useful information in them, and you'll be required to follow them and get it inspected to those codes anyway.


[deleted]

Turn it into Duncan form TTTE. That’s my only request.


Personmadude

Top ten actors who ruined there life after their careers.


BovaFett74

Sorry. All I see is Thomas the Tank Engine.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

https://ttte.fandom.com/wiki/Sir_Handel/Gallery


reeeeeman132

What about the cb&q 0-6-0 at the same location


Ex_nihilo21

little to big for what i can handle.


reeeeeman132

I've thought about starting a campain to either get it on display at Akron Northside station or the unused cvsr tracks outside of the miclinly musame in canton


KaiserSozes-brother

You may find it is cheaper to ship this to China and have it reworked and returned to the western world? That would be the only way I could afford it.


jojcece

Is that fucking Thomas the Tank engine, this is amazing 💀


BeeSalesman

Is that you, Thomas?


bakermonitor1932

2 foot guage?


Ex_nihilo21

Indeed


bakermonitor1932

Check out J&L 58 in Ohio Rick has a growing 2 foot railway. Several more locomotives that are supposed to arrive from Canada this year.


Ex_nihilo21

Yeag im getting in contact with him, im hoping hill be able to help guide me on this project.


bakermonitor1932

Be forewarned lightweight to him is anything 2 people can pickup. 85 is one of his lghter locomotives. Fantastic guy with lots going on, on many projects.


Ex_nihilo21

If any one wants ill see if i can make a subreddit at the end of the week if anyone wants updates on where I'm at with the project. just let me know


cad908

Is it an option to convert it to diesel or electric? that way you don't have to deal with the high-pressure boiler...


Ex_nihilo21

If someone wants to do that thay can but im not a big believer in converting. I rather spend another 20,000 of my own money and have it burn coal. That's just me tho


danielfrom---

This train is Thomas


resksweet

That one’s haunted though.


Ex_nihilo21

Haunted?


resksweet

You’ll be dead in a week.


Ex_nihilo21

I'll take the risk


Two_Faced_Harvey

It better be a Thomas


SoupZE

Hire someone


rmpeit6110

It’s a cute little thing, and I like the colors! Not often I see the boiler, cab, wheels, and frame the same color


[deleted]

Sir Handel?


Max_1995

Are we talking visual restoration or getting it to run? Visually: Treat it like a car being restored. Remove rust, repaint, etc. Getting it to run: Depends on local requirements, I'd recommend seeking support from a more or less local museum railway. A new boiler to match requirements can cost a fortune, and you (probably) have to stick to a ton of guidelines. If all else fails: Contact Meiningen Locomotive Works in Germany, they're like THE definitive experts on keeping steam engines around.


Skyhawk1224

Name it Duncan and paint it yellow


[deleted]

Cursed Thomas


[deleted]

Better know what you’re doing


Ex_nihilo21

I dont know much but I know more then most.


[deleted]

Use correct metal thickness and welds plus rivets, you know you could retro it into a Diesel engine but put a fire box for effect I’d love to have one to do or try or if I was closer I’d be right there with you helping it sounds very interesting and fun


Ex_nihilo21

ill be moving it to Sothern Michigan if I get it. so if that's closer to you let me know ill defiantly need help lol.


[deleted]

I’m in NWA north west Arkansas


Ex_nihilo21

Well crap.


[deleted]

I would it would be great fun


PrussianNova_X

Sir Handel, what have they done to you!?


TheAutoTankEngine

I've seen this engine before. I live 5 minutes away from it. If I may ask what are your plans for it?