Getting Started

Here are a few pointers to those thinking of building a model traction engine. There are a few "rules of the game", especially relating to boilers, but otherwise how you tackle the challenge is up to you. If at any time you need further information, we as fellow modellers, are only too happy to help. Please email us at ralph@byles.net

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Why We Chose The 3" Allchin

The 3" refers to the size of the model, ie 3 inches to the foot, or a quarter the size of the real thing. It ends up a size that is small enough to be easily transported in a 6x4 trailer, yet large enough that its works, ie the pipes and fittings carry the steam OK, and the components are not too fiddly to cast and machine. Unlike a locomotive, a traction engine can be driven up the driveway, or taken to a friend's larger block.

There are a number of quarter sized models to choose from. We selected the Allchin because
- detailed plans are available from A J Reeves
- a construction handbook is available (from) Camden Miniature Steam Services
- others have built the model successfully, and
- we liked the look if it!

Lever's Allchin

What You Will Need

What you will need depends on
- what skills you have or can acquire,
- how much of the job you want to do yourself, and
- how much you want to spend!

At one extreme, if you don't have the skills or the desire to build a model, then simply buy a unit and enjoy driving it!

At the other extreme is the purist who wants to build the entire model him(or her)self. Good luck to you. We admire your optimism!
But most of us lie somewhere in between. We want the challenge of building a model, but we are realistic enough to recognise that
the task will be far easier if we buy in some parts either rough or fully machined. This is where our group can help, particularly with
castings, machining of large parts, and suppply of laser cut repetitive pieces. See later

Your Workshop The minimum equipment you will need or need access to, includes: - A lathe - A mill (or milling attachment on your lathe) - A drill press - A band saw or cutoff saw - A grinder and/or a linisher - Electric and gas welding set - Varous measuring bits and pieces like a vernier caliper, a micrometer, a steel ruler, etc Most of the components on the 3" Allchin are less than around 150mm in size, and so if you make the decision to buy in the machined wheel rims (front and back), and the compensating centre, then your lathe would need to be no larger than , say, one with a 150mm centre height and a mill with a 150mm wide table. Don't be too concerned if your welding is not fully up to par, a steel boiler has to be done by a qualified boilermaker anyway. There is a lot of silver soldering and riveting required on the tender, so make sure you have access to some gas welding equipment.
Your Contacts The heart of the Allchin is its boiler. So before doing anything else, find yourself a boiler inspector. He/she will ensure that your boiler is designed and constructed according to the boiler code (steel or copper) compiled by the Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee (AMBSC) using powers delegated to it by relevant Occupational Heath and Safety Regulations. Boiler Inspectors are appointed by the model clubs who operate under the AMBSC code. This would include virtually all the model railway clubs throughout Australia. Many clubs cater for road vehicles as well as railways. So find a conveniently located club that caters for traction engines, and join it. Having joined a club, then seek out someone who has actually built a model. Their help will be invaluable. If necessary, contact our group
Your First Purchases Having decided to build the 3" Allchin, you should first buy: - a set of plans These are available from A J Reeves There are 17 sheets in the set prepared by the late W.J.Hughes. They are for a model at a scale of 1 1/2 inches to the foot and using a copper boiler. (You may also want to buy a copy of the book "Building the Allchin Traction Engine" by W J Hughes. It has a blow-by-blow description of what to do and how to do it. (Contact A J Reeves or Camden ) If you decide to build a 3" model and use a steel boiler, then you will need to double every dimension and also make allowances for the diameter of your steel boiler barrel which might not be exactly twice that specified by Hughes. The conversion process is very easy if you are at all familiar with spreadsheets. If you are having difficulty with this, click for a list or contact us for the file or print out of the conversion table. - A copy of the relevant boiler code. Part 1 for copper boilers and Part 2 for steel boilers, available from the Australian Association of Live Steamers (AALS) 16 Protea Avenue, Coromandel Valley SA 5051. Become familiar with the code and decide if you want to design you own boiler or obtain a design from us. Either way you will need to have your boiler inspector approve the plans and have one copy lodged with your club. If you are computer literate, you may want to consider installaing a simple computer aided drafting (CAD) program. We use "Delta Cad"which is cheap and easy to understand. It is available on line from Delta Cad - The materials for your boiler. Remember that your boiler inspector will require you to submit a copy of the compliance certificate for EVERY piece of your boiler. So make sure you obtain one when you make you purchase. Cutting the various plates to shape is just the start. Most will need to have weld preparation done to them and holes drilled in numerous places. Click here for a comprehensive check list.

How We Can Help

We must say again that we are NOT a retailer for general model engineering supplies.
click here for a list.
We are simply a group of modellers like you who would like to assist anyone wishing to build their own Allchin.

We can supply:
- Boiler plans
- Castings See list More will become available as out project advances.
- Machined Castings. Contact us for pricing. Because we are building 6 units, we have built jigs to facilitate this task.
- Repetitive Items such as spokes.
- Complex Items such as gears
- Items requiring pressing eg perch bracket or firebox door ring.

Contact us for further details


Selection of Castings	Trev turning Hind Wheel	Boiler parts	Trunk Guide Pattern	Built by John Levers