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New Project - Rail Mounted Steam Shovel

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Loeksblues

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hi Steamers.

My new Live Steam project - Bucyrus Rail Mounted Steam Shovel.
This machine, Anno 1903, is equipped with various steam engines.
This Nostalgic Bucyrus is known for the work at the Panama Canal.
I keep you, of course, informed of the progress of construction.
The scale - 1: 17. I have already started with the trucks.

Here an introductory video about past times -

The process can also be seen on my website -
http://www.depuffendeschoorsteen.com/bucyrus-steam-shovel/



Until next time!
Best Regards, Loek.

http://www.depuffendeschoorsteen.com/
 
Discussion starter · #3 · (Edited)
Hi Andrew.

The size of the steammachines must be on scale.
Also, the rails that I use is an existing size - track gauge 64 mm.
The size on the drawing correspond to the rails, wheels, machines and more.
The scale is therefore 1:17 or 1:18.

Regards, Loek.
 
#7 ·
Loek,
Sounds like a very cool project! :)
But im also curious about the scale..because I agree with Garratt, your math doesn't seem to add up..

looks like the gauge of the Panana canal construction railroad was 5-feet.
If you are using 64mm gauge model track, your model will be built in 1:23.81 scale.

1:13.7 scale parts wont even be close..they will be nearly twice the size you need..
so we remain confused..

Scot
 
#9 · (Edited)
Scot. Yes, I read that the Panama Canal construction gauge was 5ft also. A common gauge in the southern US at the time but didn't go there just yet thinking it may not be such a specific Bucyrus shovel model.

Loek, I still don't understand the scale relationships as 64mm gauge on a 1:17 model works out to be roughly a meter gauge prototype. That would be an under gauged scale model.
Prototype gauge, model gauge and scale have a rigid mathematical relationship, unless of course you are compromising one or more of those figures for practicality reasons but then it is not an accurate model which I thought you were doing going by one of your earlier comments.

I'm now wondering what has influenced your decision to compromise the mathematical relationship. Is it the size of readily available components in the steam cylinders, machinery etc? A 'middle out' design approach, so to speak. Problem is that It is then unlikely to ever sit on track with a similar scaled railway model and is not correct by itself either.
The model railway gauge of 3.5" would be closer to correct for the scale you have chosen.

Andrew
 
#14 ·
#15 ·
Apparently Bucyrus bought back the 70 Bucyrus steam shovels that were used at the Panama Canal then refurbished them with new numbers to be sold as new again. It is therefore difficult to trace them.
The construction had another 32 steam shovels making a total of 102.

Scot. The one you linked to is a Marion Steam Shovel. It looks fairly big to me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Steam_Shovel_(Le_Roy,_New_York)

Image


Andrew
 
#16 ·
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