Steam Locomotive -- page 11

The kit as supplied does not have a cab. So it is up to the builder to worry about it. One option is to use a cab from another supplier. This is the cab for the Allen Models Mogul and Ten Wheeler kits.

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image 39: Gene Allen Cab nearing completion

It consists of cast aluminum parts, which deviates radically from the rest of the engine. It's kind of funny. You hate to paint the beautiful bright steel and cast iron parts, but you can't wait to paint over the ugly cast aluminum.

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image 40: Valve Gear Brackets just need drilled
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Time to start on the valve gear. At the time these photos were taken I had a contract job with a firm in Austin, Texas. I wasn't able to work on the Mikado. I was able to get these valve brackets machined, though.

The entire summer and fall of 2003 was spent building my railroad. Now it's winter and my job in Austin has gone to full time. I am working remotely from my home in New Hampshire. I quit my day job in Acton, Massachussetts. I have resumed work on the engine.

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image 41: Reverse Gear Bearings

This is a fun part to make. This is a pair of bearing blocks for the reverse gear shaft. You start with a casting that is a little over twice as long as both of these. It is up to the builder to cut them in half, make the slots, mill the mounting flanges, and drill all of the holes.

Note: This part will be superseded later on in construction as the location of the reverse shaft will change to reduce valve timing problems.

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image 42: Rear Valve Gear Beam with Reverse Bearings

They attach to the rear valve gear bracket support beam, which is also the widest part on the entire locomotive. If anything is going to hit the trees, it would be this part.

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image 43: Valve Gear Beams and Bearings installed

The valve gear brackets are finished and mounted to their beams. The beams are completed and mounted to their respective frame plates, which have been slotted for the spring links to pass through.