Making A Locomotive For The Field Railway - PART ONE: Wheels and Chassis...

I'm going to try to make my compressed air engine into a loco for the field railway. It's a strange looking beast - not the most elegant of designs, I know, but I have to make do with what I have..
Here's our main KZbin channel.. / wayoutwestx2
And here's my online shop www.ironpig.ie
And here's our Patreon page if you could spare a little to help.. www.patreon.co...
And here's the Fairtube Union's page - fairtube.info/
If you need to contact me ... rustyironpig @ gmail.com

[@honza-0178]

These types of videos are the best. It is so relaxing to stop thinking about a war being a few hundred miles away and just see how people experiment with building their own railroads.

[@MrOil-qy3vv]

Bruh in all honesty I've loved steam locomotives since I was a kid and have always admired them, as a result after watching these videos once I have a place of my own (I'm still in year 12) I would also like to build my own mini railway.

[@charickter]

Choo! Choo! Getting closer! 😃 Tim, you're gonna have to have some kind of whistle, if possible!

[@gigaxacku]

I absolutely adore that your railway is starting to develop its own “aesthetic”, with the way you have the curves in the spokes for your chassis wheels and flywheel

[@machinist5828]

If you are going to have anything, have fun. Cheers Terry from South Carolina USA

[@railfannate1558]

Hmm, I suggest perhaps adding a set of smaller trailing wheels towards the back of the locomotive where your seat might be, just to counter-act any weight problems with the locomotive itself, after all, you don't want it falling backwards on you

[@dakotaleker2885]

You could also counterbalance that weight by moving the air tank and engine farther forward to give more room for controls and legroom right above the axle

[@datguymiller]

I would add both guide and trailing wheels

[@calebjowens]

having the weight primarily on the drive wheels has historically helped with keeping them from slipping during acceleration

[@railfannate1558]

@@jamessmithandgarrettsmith3623 I was more thinking a 0-4-2 but yeah it could be that too

[@railfannate1558]

@@dakotaleker2885 true

[@Mattay20]

You have an amazing voice and delivery. I could listen to you for hours explaining things lol. Really enjoy the videos

[@tedneb3459]

Great video! Great narration too, though I have to admit that I kept watching for Gromit.

[@viriato8566]

Tim & Sandra give regular examples of my long-standing belief that farmers are now and always have been the cleverest members of our species. Rock on!

[@chrismul8337]

10 points for wheel design!

[@prubroughton2327]

My sn who died at 37 in an unexplained single vehicle crash was a man after your own heart. He was never happier than tinkering, designing and making from a go kart for his niece and nephews to repairing and rebuilding high end car mag wheels, his profession. I always watch your work shop channel because I can envisage my son following behind and offering advice and encouragement. I find it very comforting because he is with me every day as is your son with you. keep the brain working and nutting out problems

[@michaelkolano8686]

i'm very glad that will is wearing his visor! you can really easily hurt yourself welding, and going blind from it is very easy to do if you don't have any precautions

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Of course we wear the gear - we're not that silly!

[@BlueEyedColonizer]

Loving watching your videos over here I'm the US

[@TheHylianBatman]

Excellent! I'm gonna have to go back and see what I've missed. Quite a development! Great job!

[@romkoshkaryov7450]

No way you actually do it!!!! Have it all come easy to you!!!

[@Rule1ModelRailways]

I watch this as I'm about to set off to the Cavan and Leitrim railway this morning!

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Good for you - I still haven't been

[@jayzo]

Initially I was a bit of a purist ("no no no you must use proper rail profiles" etc) but your design is definitely growing on me. I'll probably never have the spare income to build a narrow gauge railway using "proper" flat head rails, but this design as you've mentioned in a previous video is surprisingly cheap to build and therefore more realistic of an option.

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

I would never be able to afford 'real' tracks - but I'm building a railway anyway!

[@sirnikkel6746]

At the end, that is one pretty happy farmer.

[@RussellNelson]

You're having WAAAAYYYY too much fun with this!

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Guilty!

[@jerrydempsey3490]

Tim, I think you deserve the title of The Most Interesting Man In The World. 😁👍

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Ha! Hardly - but thanks all the same.

[@deathclawow]

These videos bring me immense joy. Another potential for a steam loco is a geared Tesla turbine powered by steam. Tesla turbines are pretty simple to make and provide a lot of RPM so if you geared it down you might get a pretty good amount of power out of it.

[@douglasmaccullagh7865]

Even geared right down I doubt the Tesla turbine would provide enough torque.

[@samvalentine3206]

Wonderful, Tim! Keep up the good work! We have faith in you and Will with Sandra as the "invisible partner"!

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Much appreciated!

[@SDE1994]

youve got the right idea with the square axles, thats what they used on the very early locos, like the ones on the Pockerley line at Beamish

[@cooperised]

This is great. A battery-powered electric locomotive powered by a modified alternator or something would be much more practical, have a longer endurance, more power, etc. But this is just so much *fun*!

[@gwyllymsuter4551]

Cleverly thought out, innovative and low cost rail system. Sure it doesn't meet the ideals of a hardcore railway enthusiast but, it works, and works well. Perfect for application as it serves the purpose it is intended for. And, if you need a part? Just kick a rock and find one. Well done Tim.

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Thanks, Gwyllym. It's addictive though - you can never have enough

[@gwyllymsuter4551]

@@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299 I've done some calculations based on the torque available from those cylinders with a 2.77:1 ratio with 300mm diameter wheels and ignoring all losses, your limit will be a bout 300kg of tractive force, flat out at 60psi. So it will move something that's for sure. On a level grade of course and doesn't take I to account the weight of the locomotive Looking forward to the next installment

[@PiddleInTheMarshbyMarkIreland]

This railway could end up being a tourist attraction

[@tropifiori]

Great fun watching this

[@NickNameNick2]

You should consider putting some cone-angle into the steel tires on the locomotive wheels. If the tires are coned, the locomotive can shift sideways slightly on the rails, giving the tire on the outside of the corner a slightly larger radius than the inside wheel. Otherwise one of the wheels has to slip, and you might run out of traction.

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

I must re-load my video on this subject. I made cone-wheels and they didn't make much difference on this set up

[@cooperised]

@@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299 I remember seeing that video and making a mental note to shut up about conical wheels. They clearly don't make much difference to roadholding for your setup. This comment makes an interesting point though, will it make a difference to traction? Only one way to find out...

[@britannia-foundry]

This project has a strong bias towards low cost, simplicity and effectiveness as soon as you start looking for efficiency time and cost increase exponentially defeating the original concept.

[@lordmuntague]

@@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299 I'm thinking that your very effective thin edge rails wouldn't' need cones as there isn't much of a rail profile for them to react with. However, if you do get cornering issues later you can always revisit it. My guess is they'll be fine as they are.

[@69dblcab]

Wills giggle at the end. Two boys having fun inventing.

[@DianeD862]

We think your a genius as well so clever with what you do and know so much.🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@andyg3]

Excellent stuff tim

[@ab_railways_original]

For the steam engine can I advise that you make it bit like a traction engine but you could include the fly wheel if you want as it would do a good job for powering other things or pulling things towards your self

[@oliverthebrblack5330]

tim your a GENIUS!

[@bigsid1984]

So great to see

[@TheMNrailfan227]

Can’t wait to see these videos go further

[@Santafefrank]

That something looking good

[@Brian_rock_railfan]

great video

[@Kafj302]

I had a strange idea for if you went for compressed air. Make a set of bellows for your feet that you can pump while you ride, so you aren't just sitting there. Odd idea, but imagine making two longer lines side by side, and you could race locomotives.

[@davidhensley76]

I wish Waze would pay you dearly to record your voice for driving directions.

[@lewerim]

"I wish I had an iron foundry, but don't we all?" I, for one, certainly do wish..

[@pvtimberfaller]

looking good sir. I would have made the wheels solid & filled them with concrete for traction.

[@POLOLOUS3]

Tim I have been watching you and Sandra for many years now and it just dawned on me that a simple set of tracks is perfect for bringing in firewood crates from the outside to my basement through the garage. Keep up the experimenting!

[@markfryer9880]

Careful, you might just start with a small set of tracks and then you start developing a system. I mean just look at how Tim's system has grown.

[@JoshuaF.]

i love this series

[@tonywatson987]

Love it! The advantage with a compressed air system is there is no hanging around waiting for steam generation, you have instant access to the compressed air - provided you have at least one (preferably 2) in reserve for a quick switch over. Looking forward to seeing how you'll mount the pistons - are you going with a chain drive or cranks - I think chain offers more scope for changing ratios if you need power or speed, they could be cut in half for easy mounting on the centre of the axles? and an idler pulley for adjusting tension or sprocket diameter. I'm guessing the engine will be mounted inboard (unless you're making a sister?) for better weight distribution... Looking forward to the next one, Tim!

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

thanks Tony. I'm still pondering all the possibilities..

[@matthewtymczyszyn8948]

Yeah, I think a motorcycle chain and sprockets would be the easy option here.

[@optroncordian7863]

Search for the "whistling pig" locomotive/ There are some good examples of air-driven machines.

[@GuardianOz]

Loved the genuine "Larkin chuckles" at the end. Keep up the great work.

[@Spinningininfinity]

Yes an iron foundry would be very 🙂 This video made me very happy, so nice to see someone enjoying life and innovating with such gusto.

[@SpookyMcGhee]

I'm a machinist and seeing people making stuff like this makes me proud to be in the trade. One of these days I hope to build my own little railway for enjoyment purposes and also to move bits of firewood/landscaping material around the garden. Your railway is the inspiration. Mine will probably be smaller (maybe 12 inches gauge) and may have a rack/pinion sort of bit on the steep section of track. My garden has a decently steep hill that I don't want to foul the looks of by grading it. It'd be easier sure, but the idea of fastening a gear to an axle doesn't seem impossible. The toothed center rail might be a pain in the rear though. Fantastic video as always and keep up the good work!

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Thanks very much - good luck with yours

[@dougdobbs]

Tim, thank you so much. As an amateur tinkerer (on a much smaller scale) I am constantly inspired by your persistent innovation. You lift my spirits and help me keep pressing forward in both my daily tasks and "maker projects." :)

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Thanks, Doug!

[@Paul_Au]

I don't have any thing to say, but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos, and this one in particular.

[@spaguettoltd.7933]

This is remarkably cool. There are loads of channels out there where you can watch people build replica steam engines, but only one where you get to see someone go through the process of reinventing the railroad! There’s something so fascinating about watching you create, discover, and create again! Good luck, Tim!

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

thanks!

[@hmarc417]

I have confidence in you. It will work and it will be Just Fine. CCHHEERRSSSSS BTW I just had my chicks hatch, I got 11 out of 18. Next batch is in the oven.

[@s160class20fan]

Loving these videos! Keep it up. I hope to build my own garden railway soon!

[@davidhughes2960]

Nice job man

[@Dichuz91]

i love watching this take shape...i only wish each video was longer

[@tabriff3832]

I'd say that was a success. It looks the part, and makes all the proper railway sounds.

[@Gerrham]

Nice locomotive

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Tim, you are coming right along with this project. Looking forward to seeing you finish it.

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

Make a geared hand pumper! 😁👍✌

[@urmom-re4lj]

It won't be a workshop video without the plasma cutter

[@lumotroph]

Yippee!! It’s finally happening! (comment sent after liking the video at 0:03 seconds in)

[@assassinlexx1993]

It will be interesting with the weight of the engine. Be enough for traction. That fine balance between too much weight for the air engine to too little weight and not enough traction. It goes without saying there got to be some kind of whistle. Good luck with this endeavor.

[@shoofle]

I think my approach would be to see if i could build a rotating carriage for one of the sets of wheels, and then make the wheelbase super long, so that you can have the whole engine between them as low as possible. Then maybe the seats could be directly above the wheels in the front and back! I suppose a thrust bearing that could hold the weight for the floating axle would be pricey...

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

I can't have a long wheel-base because it wouldn't go round the curves : - (

[@ProfSimonHolland]

wonderful progress

[@KarolOfGutovo]

Each and every video of yours makes me more jealous. I gotta make a railway of my own one day.

[@Sanados]

For a moment I thought you added boadicea chariot spikes! :D

[@RB-wl7ct]

Fantastic. Protect cylinder valve in event of a crash. Cant wait for next phase. Thank you very much

[@davidliddelow5704]

Perhaps you could set the engine up at one end of a straight bit of track and get it to pull loaded wagons with a bit of string. That would tell you what kind of load pulling capacity to expect.

[@52memor]

I find this all GREAT and EXCITING and FUN !!!!!!!! can't wait to see it all finished and working.

[@alanm3438]

I love the plasma cutter and I love your creativity. Keep up the good work.

[@teabagmcpick889]

I'm so glad I found this channel. I love your content, it's gold. It reminds me of how KZbin used to be before it was ruined. Thank you, keep on keeping on.

[@NicoSmets]

I love being able to witness your process. Thank you

[@Alex-if2kt]

This video gave me very useful information in regards to the axles, I was going to have both wheels on each axle spin at the same time and it seems that will work just fine, thanks for the video!

[@lordseelenfresserdemonking1168]

*you're wheely good at this stuff, you always manage to stay on track on things*

[@joshmarsh8543]

that's coming on lovely Tim, I'm thoroughly enjoying this build,

[@scottmcdivitt2187]

One thing to consider. you might want to have some sort of knurling on the engine wheels to give them more traction.

[@robinforrest7680]

Hi Tim, This gets more exciting every time. Thought of coupling rods between your driving wheels ? That means you’ll only need to drive one axle directly from your fly-wheel. Gwyllym Suter suggests you add a tender. He’s right I think - that would not only provide you with a more comfortable and less dangerous place to sit but increase your range too because you could build it around several air-tanks with changeover valves between them, maybe 2 or even 4 would be possible? All the best to you all, Rob

[@JDeWittDIY]

Coupling rods or a chain between the two axles would work, I think.

[@Frombie_01]

I've truly enjoyed this series to date. I'm seriously impressed with your efforts. It just shows what you can accomplish with a little ingenuity and "Will power".

[@TheKontrakontrakontr]

I Love it!!!

[@kostka4876]

GUYS ITS HAPPENING, ITS COMING

[@martinsto8190]

if there's no way to fit yourself on the loco (like even when you could balance yourself and the air engine on the chassis, the Locomotive alone would fall over) then only the controls can just be fit at the ends while you can just sit on your short flatbed that can be coupled on both sides.

[@indifilm]

Tim is Ireland's Tony Stark

[@lauraandedwardcannon8861]

When you get around to steam (not for a bit, I’m sure) look into the geared locomotives, called Shays. They were used to great success in the northern California logging railroads with steep grades and poor track. Might be a good fit for your field railway.

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

I know - great things for sure

[@4getfulfox]

i would slow go on a steam engine. although they maybe more expensive to refuel (repressureize?) compressed air locomotives use their "fuel" more eficiently, it only being used when moving and not burning anything when its just rolling with no power, they are also great for short distance, start/stop, work for the same reason. they are also way less likely to explode without warning, you need to have extreamly high confidance in your steam boiler before you strap yourself next to it for extended periods of time. though in the long run if you can perfect it, a steam engine's probly cheapper and might even be nesisary as the railway expands.

[@wideyxyz2271]

I used to have a 7 1/4 " gauge engine and the boiler was pressure tested to double its working capacity and the safety valves set accordingly. As long as you maintain them steam engines are safe and reliable. Mine was a little 0-4-0 tank engine that could pull 5 people easily. So its definitely worth looking at.

[@douglasmaccullagh7865]

The biggest headache with steam is managing the water level in the boiler. Even a low pressure boiler needs careful attention. Compressed air might be the way to go for this application.

[@telletran2558]

Looks like so much fun. I love improvising stuff to do more work.

[@mrmalos4194]

great job working on that locomotive! you should give it a name, every steam engine or diesel engine has one, but its okay if you dont want to

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Any suggestions?

[@mrmalos4194]

@@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299 hmmm.... okay i got one, its a bit stupid but you asked, '''Westy''

[@mrMacGoover]

This is a long awaited time and video. I especially liked it when you mentioned double acting pistons if you go the steam purpulsion route.

[@jakobzilinski6273]

I can’t wait to see this in action! I love your channel

[@davidstud3952]

This guy is awesome! Best greetings from Austria! 👍

[@SimJackson]

Just a quick thought, I would have the bolts facing down, that way even if the nuts work loose everything will still be keyed together, if a little rattly. The alternative would be threadlock or lock nuts

[@ainonainpg3d799]

Omg so nice

[@bendordoy4815]

Cool if/ when you diceded to make a steam locomotive this air locomotive chassis as the charcoal tender

[@JDeWittDIY]

Those are really some pretty beautiful wheels!

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

Thank you : - )

[@DisVietVetUSA]

Interesting concept, looking forward to seeing you go shooting along on your railway

[@Whitepaw_42]

A air powered train seems unique and strange, perhaps the design will be used by full scale trains in the future

[@randomguyinanglider4090]

it is aleady used

[@McRocket]

Those wheels look great. ☮

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Fantastic; looking forward to the next episode

[@keithrosenberg5486]

They used compressed air narrow gauge engines in some mine way back when.

[@protoharry552]

This has been super fun to watch you build up your own locomotive over time, looking forward to the finished product!

[@livingoffgridinscotland]

Could you not use cast iron rings off a “Cambridge roller” as wheels? I think they’d be ideal and look the part? Must be lots of them lying around on farms near you

[@wayoutwest-workshopstuff6299]

there are none on this side of the country - only on the east : - (

[@devinholland2189]

For inspiration check out compressed air mineing locomotives. Nicknamed whistleing pigs they were built around large air tanks with radial air motors for the drive engine.