Building Small Steam Locomotives: A Practical Guide to Making Engines for Garden Gauges [Hardcover]

Peter Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2009

If you have an ambition to build a small live steam locomotive, but are daunted by the skills required, then this book is for you.  Written in his clear and encouraging style, Peter Jones demystifies the whole process for those with little or no previous experience. Contents include:  An explanation of terms; Basic metalworking processes; Step-by-step project guides; Machining; Boilermaking; Painting; and Finishing. Fully illustrated throughout with color photographs and drawings, and including appendices of suppliers and societies, this is an invaluable work for the railway modeler.

 

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

If you have an ambition to build a small live steam locomotive, but are daunted by the skills required, then this book is for you.  Written in his clear and encouraging style, Peter Jones demystifies the whole process for those with little or no previous experience. Contents include:  An explanation of terms; Basic metalworking processes; Step-by-step project guides; Machining; Boilermaking; Painting; and Finishing. Fully illustrated throughout with color photographs and drawings, and including appendices of suppliers and societies, this is an invaluable work for the railway modeler.

 

About the Author

Peter Jones has been addicted to railways, and modelling them, for as long as he can remember.  In 1949 he took his first hesitant steps in garden railways, in 16mm scale running on 0 gauge track.   He began an apprenticeship in modelling that has led to his extensive work in the railway scene.  Peter has written widely on the subject, including a long-running column in Garden Railway magazine.  His previous book, Practical Garden Railways, was also published by Crowood in 2006.  Peter has his own website www.comptondown.co.uk  

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Crowood (January 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184797029X
• ISBN-13: 978-1847970299
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,063 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Railroads

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thoroughly delightful, February 28, 2009

By 

A. Tenney "eastwood junkie" (northeast kingdom, vermont) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Small Steam Locomotives: A Practical Guide to Making Engines for Garden Gauges (Hardcover)

If you have ever seen a small steam locomotive in operation, found out that the owner built it, and thought "Gee, that looks like fun, but I could never do that..."....this book IS for you. Mr. Jones has an entertaining style, decades of experience, the ability to instruct, and a willingness to share. He also keeps you focused so that a project does not become overwhelming and unsatisfactory. Even if your plans are just dreams, you will gain much knowlege and appreciation as to what makes these little beauties go. Many fine pictures to keep your inspirations under a full head of steam!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, October 11, 2009

By 

Lennard Lee (Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Building Small Steam Locomotives: A Practical Guide to Making Engines for Garden Gauges (Hardcover)

I found this book not to be a complete step by step guide to building a particular steam engine, but is extraordinarily helpful in understanding how engines are built [ which is very easy ] and how to go about making an engine of your own design, which can easily be accomplished by going through the basics. Highly recommended for the handy home machinist.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not for the complete beginner - but worth having., September 21, 2010

By 

Prospero "Christoph" (Southwest USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Building Small Steam Locomotives: A Practical Guide to Making Engines for Garden Gauges (Hardcover)

If you have dabbled G scale and have some moderate machining, brazing, and silver soldering skills (and equipment), "Building Small Steam Locomotives: A Practical Guide to Making Engines for Garden Gauges", will fill your mind full of wonderful projects that you can accomplish in a few weekends and be very proud of. There-in also sits the only problem with this book. It addresses a very niche type of beginner. If you want to build the engines in Jones' book, you will need a desktop lathe and some practiced skill. Jones falls into the "Adobe Syndrome" a bit - the practice of introducing basic concepts at a beginner level, but then requiring skills beginners wouldn't typically have.

But I gave it four stars?

While Jones may have missed the mark in practically and applicability, he more than made up for it with an honest, entertaining, engaging and clear writing style. Couple that with excellent photography and "Building Small Steam Locomotives" is an inspiring read. While I may have doubt that most readers will actually build Jones' locomotives, I have little doubt that readers will enjoy this book, be happy to have it on the shelf, and move closer to actually building and modeling live steam G gauge. And it will influence the beginners choices in a positive manner.

I'm off to price lathes.

Oh - Jones does make an excellent recommendation that I believe adds immensely to his work. He suggest the reader first build a Ruby before really going on in the book. It's excellent advice. A Ruby is a live steam locomotive kit that can be assembled in a weekend by a novice. The process will teach even a complete beginner they logic, function and terminology of live steam systems. Plus, the Ruby can be the basis of a project from the book. Your favorite search internet engine can lead you to the Ruby.

Great book!