of Light street, Pa., builds a Model Steam Engine and we give
his description of it here–
An early Frick traction equipped to run on rails for logging
purposes. For some reason it never became popular. The locomotive
seemed to be the popular type for this work. This picture is the
courtesy of The Frick Company, Waynesboro, Pa., through their
accommodating Advertising Manager, Mr. Terry Mitchell. This Model
has a 1? inch piston aid a 1? inch stroke and an 8 inch flywheel.
No castings were used.
The governor and main, body was modeled after a coreless engine.
The cylinder was modeled from an old print I remembered seeing in a
catalog. The piston uncovers several large ports in the lower half
of the cylinder. There are also two rotary exhaust valves which
complete the exhaust cycle. The intake slide valve is piston
type.
The base is built up of 1/8 inch steel and
soldered together.
I am only an amateur in the steam engine business. Have seen no
more than 6 steam engines in my life time and cannot recall of ever
seeing a steam traction engine.
I can really understand the fascination and interest of the old
timers for this kind of equipment.
Incidentally, my work shop consists mainly of a. 10 inch Mail
Order lathe and a half-inch drill press, a homemade grinder. With
this you can see that the little Model required much hand sawing
and filing but to me it was worth it.
FROM MICHIGAN–
When I get the ALBUM all other activities stop dead, until I
have gone through every page at least twice. I keep them all. You
are serving at least four classes of men–Owners, Engineers,
Picture Collectors, and Model Makers.
I used to run a J. I. C. engine 30 years ago, the best job I
ever had. I made $5.00 a day and had lots of money. Now I run a
locomotive at about four times that much and am broke.
If you really want to see steam traction engines you bay to come
to Detroit (Dearborn) to the Ford Museum. The last time I was there
I made a list of over 40 different tractions. All rebuilt to as
good as new or better. Portables of all kinds by the score. A great
many stationary and Marine engines.
I like a traction and if the present Korean trouble don’t
hold me back I intend to build a traction big enough for me to get
on the platform and go. I have made several small ones, about a
foot long, but I want a big one.
Arthur H. Friday, 17766 Palmer Avenue, Melvindale, Michigan.
