Ka STEAM LOCOMOTIVE
by Neil Pluck, who also provided the pictures
I
have always been interested in steam and mechanical machines of any sort and
size since I was very young and this has played a big part in selecting the type
of models I build with Meccano. Meccano steam models always have a lot of moving
parts which makes for a interesting model to watch when it is in motion.
I was challenged by a
friend to make a small locomotive, which I made in two nights. The first night
looking at photos for something simple and the
second building. I made a 2-6-4 WF tank locomotive and he was so impressed he
asked for a bigger locomotive. After some thought he suggested a Ka locomotive
for which he had plans and photos.
All Ka’s were built in
New Zealand. The Ka was the largest steam locomotive in use by New Zealand Rail.
They were built between 1939 to 1950 and were originally coal fired. Later they
were all converted to oil burning.
The specifications show
the magnitude of the size.
Length
69’ 8”
Width 8’ 5”
Height 11’ 6”
Weight 148 tons
Tractive force
32,740 pounds
Water capacity
5000 gallons
Working steam pressure
200psi
Track gauge
3’6”
Fuel oil capacity
1570 gallons
Wheel arrangement
4-8-4
The model took approximately three months to build using my spare time. It is a scale of 1:17. The dimensions for the Meccano Ka are 27” long, 8” high and 51/2” wide. The tender is 15” long, 8” high and 5 1/2” wide.
I started with a line drawing of the engine which was reasonably small but I decided on the size of the wheels and then enlarged the drawing with the photocopier until the driving wheels of the locomotive were the same size as a 3” Pulley. I had to use early 3” Pulleys as they are smaller in diameter and can be used with a seven hole centre spacing without them hitting each other.
This gave me a working drawing the same size as the locomotive would be when completed. Having the plan ready to go, the initial building was slow and the skeleton stage of the model was difficult because some of the measurements fell within the standard 1/2” spacing. So I had to go smaller or larger with that particular part which made a difference to the next part and so on.
At first, the model was basic but as it progressed and took shape, I put in increasingly more detail, which made it look better and better. I decided to make the boiler from Perforated Strips, because Flexible Plates would add too much red. As the real locomotive is all black I made the model mostly green with a bit of red to brake the overall colour. Also Perforated Strips make a nicer boiler.
I spent a lot of time perfecting the driving wheels, connecting rods and valve gear. The firebox doors open and close via a lever just as the real locomotive did, revealing a picture of a flames and fire (cut from a magazine).
The model was originally designed to be a stationary model. However later I decided to motorize the locomotive for an upcoming model train show in Christchurch. I added a base underneath and mounted a 12v-DC window wiper motor out of a car. I find these more powerful and quieter running than the standard Meccano motor. Also they are less expensive to replace.
Originally I used long Bolts for the steps but covered them with black tubing for a more realistic look. Another friend of mine hand painted the numbers for the locomotive, which were glued, to cardboard for thickness and I glued these onto the locomotive to compete the look. The steam pipes are made from brazing wire bent to shape.
On the whole getting the
proportions right was the most difficult part and finding a fire picture for the
firebox the right size. Putting the last piece on is always the easiest part.
