Bernie Perch Wrote:
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> 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
Thanks for the tips Bernie