Welcome, and thanks for visiting my site - Locomotive Builder. By
way of brief background, I have been model railroading for over 40
years with a particular emphasis on hand-crafted locomotives.
Hand-crafting, as the phrase suggests, is the construction of
scale locomotives from scratch with no, or limited machine tools. In
my case, machine tools are limited to an inexpensive drill press and a
motor tool. The bulk of my remaining inventory of tooling and supplies
consists of the typical modeler's inventory: files, drills, scrapers,
soldering irons, torch, brass shapes, mild steel, and so forth. One of
the points I would like to emphasize is that expensive tooling (lathe
and milling machine) is not necessary for the successful modeling of
a scale locomotive. However, as with any purposeful activity,
patience and an intolerance of inexact and sloppy work are important
virtues.
In future editions of this web site, I hope to discuss the techniques,
prerequisites and fundamentals which contribute so greatly to this
particular area of model railroading. Whether you model in N, HO, S or
O scale, you need not be deterred from achieving an exact, scratch-
built replica of a desired locomotive.
way of brief background, I have been model railroading for over 40
years with a particular emphasis on hand-crafted locomotives.
Hand-crafting, as the phrase suggests, is the construction of
scale locomotives from scratch with no, or limited machine tools. In
my case, machine tools are limited to an inexpensive drill press and a
motor tool. The bulk of my remaining inventory of tooling and supplies
consists of the typical modeler's inventory: files, drills, scrapers,
soldering irons, torch, brass shapes, mild steel, and so forth. One of
the points I would like to emphasize is that expensive tooling (lathe
and milling machine) is not necessary for the successful modeling of
a scale locomotive. However, as with any purposeful activity,
patience and an intolerance of inexact and sloppy work are important
virtues.
In future editions of this web site, I hope to discuss the techniques,
prerequisites and fundamentals which contribute so greatly to this
particular area of model railroading. Whether you model in N, HO, S or
O scale, you need not be deterred from achieving an exact, scratch-
built replica of a desired locomotive.
All of the locomotives featured within this site were constructed from
scratch with no, or limited, commercial parts (i.e. machine screws,
couplers, etc.) - even drivers and wheelsets were fabricated by hand.
scratch with no, or limited, commercial parts (i.e. machine screws,
couplers, etc.) - even drivers and wheelsets were fabricated by hand.
S Scale Mason Locomotive Works 3' gauge 0-4-4T, "Admiral Almy"
Locomotive Builder:
R.L. Fortin
Hand crafted, one-of-a-
kind brass locomotives
Vol. I, No. 1 7/10
R.L. Fortin
Hand crafted, one-of-a-
kind brass locomotives
Vol. I, No. 1 7/10
 | |  | |  | |  |
Interior cab view. S Scale, Grant Locomotive Works
4-4-0 "American", circa 1873
4-4-0 "American", circa 1873
S Scale, 3' gauge 0-4-0T Porter, circa 1910
S Scale, 3' gauge, Mason Locomotive Works, "Admiral Almy"
S Scale, standard gauge, Grant Locomotive Works 4-4-0, circa 1873
S Scale, 2' gauge SR & RL 0-4-4T Forney (commercial headlamp casting)
PARTING THOUGHTS
These photographs represent a small portion of the variety of
locomotives which have been constructed over the years, in one scale or
another, in one gauge or another with varying degrees of refinement.
They all, however, reflect my passion and dedication to the task of scale
locomotive construction.
I do hope you find this site a stimulant for your own undertakings in this
field and will visit again when I will discuss some of the construction
concepts and techniques which have guided my hands in these matters.
And, yes some of these locomotives and others are occasionally for sale.
Thanks again......
P.S. Click "About Us" and "Contact Us" for more photos.
These photographs represent a small portion of the variety of
locomotives which have been constructed over the years, in one scale or
another, in one gauge or another with varying degrees of refinement.
They all, however, reflect my passion and dedication to the task of scale
locomotive construction.
I do hope you find this site a stimulant for your own undertakings in this
field and will visit again when I will discuss some of the construction
concepts and techniques which have guided my hands in these matters.
And, yes some of these locomotives and others are occasionally for sale.
Thanks again......
P.S. Click "About Us" and "Contact Us" for more photos.
S Scale, 2' gauge, B & H 2-4-4T
