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The "A" end
I like full size narrow gauge railroads - like the D&RG Silverton line and the
Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico branch, or the East Broad Top in
Pennsylvania or even the Sumpter Valley in Oregon.
But I never thought I would actually build a piece of rolling stock in seven and a
half inch gauge. But that is what happened here.
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The "B" end
A friend at the club asked if I would build him one similar to my Blue Bobber but
in .4 inch scale. I don't know why I agreed to build him one. He insisted on having
three side windows in the cupola like the Lionel caboose he had as a child. But of course
none of the Narrow Gauge railroads had one.
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And for a Side View
Believe it or not, it is made mostly from ordinary Douglas Fir plywood given to me
by the neighbor across the street who decided to move away and was getting rid of it.
The Siding was scribed using the table saw. The roof was made from one inch strips
cut with a one degree vertical error so that the roof was slightly larger than the
ceiling.
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The four-wheel bogie
It was actually fun working with the larger than life components of this gauge.
They are heavier and cost alot more than what I'm used to. But they look great.
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Closeup of one of the pedestals.
The axleboxes and pedestals were all hand made - mostly using woodworking tools like
the table saw and router - even though they are aluminum. The bearing bores,
wheel bores, and axles were turned on the lathe though. And yes, the frame
and steps were welded.
Bill.
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