When you start planning this locomotive, I recommend using the most modern techniques available at your disposal. Use water jet cutting, flame cutting, 3D printing of sand for castings, weldments wherever possible, and anything new which is being developed.
Over the past 50 years I have spent many thousands of hours making patterns for steam locomotive parts, It was necessary then, but now, parts can be made faster and easier (though not necessarily cheaper) using the above mentioned techniques. I visited a foundry which 3D printed their sand--no flasks, no drafts, no separate cores--all computer generated.
Most of the patterns that I made were mostly used only once and were placed in storage and chances are will never be used again. The only patterns being reused are grates and plates. Most of those patterns will slowly deteriorate in storage. I have a large chunk of my cellar storing my patterns and commercial patterns that are going to perpetually waste space until they are put on display or something.
Bernie
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2020 07:37PM by Bernie Perch.