Robert Sigler
Kozo's Pennsy A3 steam engine is my first live steam locomotive project. I started the build in April, 2005 and 248 hours of work later the A3 tender fabrication is complete save for the painting, which will be done once the
loco is complete. I am about 30 hours of work into the loco and have the frame complete and am working on the running gear.

I had never done any sheet metal work prior to this project and was not real sure I would enjoy that aspect of the A3 fabrication. However, I can now report that the sheet work was every bit as enjoyable as the rest of the build. I guess when you just enjoy building things it really doesn't matter what form of building you're doing.

Finally, I am compelled to make a comment about Kozo's efforts with this book. The quality of the instructions and descriptions in this book are amazing. Even if the reader doesn't choose to build an A3 it would be worthwhile to read the book to glean all of the many, many tidbits of wisdom it contains. I can safely say that I am a more skilled builder as a result of Kozo's insights and techniques.

Robert Sigler
Robert also thought up a clever idea for a video. A time lapse video of the tender construction as if it is being assembled by an unseen force. Very COOL... No Audio. -- Dan'l The A3 Loco frame.

Flash Video - No Sound

 

 

 

Below is a twin cylinder marine steam engine that was inspired by a similar Rudy Kouhoupt design. I started designing this engine as an exercise in learning a new 3D CAD package (Alibre Design). I originally had no intention of actually building it. However, after all of the CAD work I decided I liked the engine and built one to prove it would work.

This engine has a bore and stroke of .625 inches. The two cylinders are offset by 90 degrees so the engine is self starting. Overall dimensions of the engine are 5.125" tall, 5.5" wide and 1.75" deep.

I built this engine as a gift for my father and presented it to him on Christmas, 2004.
These are not both the same picture. Each is a different side. Note the flywheel does "swap" ends! - Dan'l

4/8/06 Back to the Pennsy A3 Project

The attached pics show my A3 loco after getting the main rods connected to the crossheads and cylinders. At this point I have right at 275 hours of labor in the engine. What a thrill it is to turn the drivers by hand and hear the air in the cylinders compressing and escaping out the condensate drain holes and valve runners. Seeing the side rods and main rods sliding smoothly by each other, watching the piston rods and crossheads move fore and aft and feeling the smooth action of the running gear is a real motivator! Back out to the shop...

8/27/06

I finished up the running gear today so I thought I would pass along some current pics of my A3. It's taken 4.5 months and 201 hours of labor to get the valve and reverse gear done. I'm up to 475 hours total on the locomotive at this point.

I plugged the cylinder condensate drain holes and ran it on air - smooooooth!!! I didn't have the oiler passage plugged nor any sealant on the tee, front or rear heads or the steam chest. I can only image the performance I'll get once I get the power train buttoned up properly and everything broken in!

Robert

 

 

 

Upate: December 2, 2006

Well, the A3 has reached the critical milestone where everything up to the boiler is complete. Here are a couple of shots as it now stands. Since the last update I've completed the cylinder condensate drain system, water and oil pumps and the ash pan and grate system. I have a 619 hours of labor in the loco and 875 in the whole project at this point.

I ordered copper for the boiler and smoke box earlier this week and am working on all of the hardwood formers now. I sure hope I can get this right on the first shot because the prices of copper are a bit high right now. A 12x36 sheet cost me $120 from MSC. When I started this project a year and a half ago that same sheet was priced at about $70! - Robert

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