| Author |
 Topic  |
|
wvrr
Fireman
|
 Posted - 10/22/2004 : 08:55:29 AM
|
I've been spending some of my spare time doing research on the anthracite mining industry in northeastern Pennsylvania. Currently, I am focused on the breaker (used to break larger chucks of coal into smaller ones, sort the coal by size, and remove the non-coal) and fan house (used to provide ventilation and exhaust dangerous gases in the mine).
First, the fan house...
I modified the drawing I found to determine the shape of the building. The dimensions still need to be determined since it will depend on the size of the steam engine for the engine room. I am planning on building this with the engine room doors open so you can see the engine.
The last photo is of one fan house for the Dorrance Mine in Wilkes-Barre, PA. You can see the engine, since the engine room doors are open.
As for the materials, I will probably use DPM modular walls or kitbash from other DPM kits. The one thing troubling me is how to build the fan since it will be visible to anyone looking in the huge exhaust stack. Admit it, people are going to look. Anyway, this is what the fan looks like:
Any ideas on where I how to scratchbuild or any other ideas? The fan has a diameter of about 20 feet. Some are as large as 35 feet in diameter.
Chuck
|
Wyoming Valley Railroad
http://sites.google.com/site/wvrails/ |
Country:
| Posts: 5013 |
|
|
TomPM
Fireman
Premium Member
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 09:10:09 AM
|
Interesting project Chuck. It will be fun to see how progresses.
As far as the fan goes my off the cuff reaction is to say kitbash a water wheel if you can find one. If you can't find one in a LHS try a pet store. There are quite a few aquarium decorations that have water wheels as part of them. As I said this was off the top of my still need a few cups of coffee head.
|
Tom
Jack of All Trades Master of None
Ridley Keystone & Mountain Railroad
My Rail Images Gallery
NARA Member #100
|
Edited by - TomPM on 10/22/2004 09:10:56 AM |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 4648 |
 |
|
|
wvrr
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 09:16:52 AM
|
Great ideas, Tom. I was actually looking at the water wheel for this kit:
It is the cheapest kit I could find with a water wheel...$10.
I'll have to pay a visit to a pet store. That thought never crossed my mind!
Chuck
|
Wyoming Valley Railroad
http://sites.google.com/site/wvrails/ |
|
Country:
| Posts: 5013 |
|
|
|
teejay
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 10:08:25 AM
|
That looks like a challenging project Chuck , one that I'm sure you'll make come to life .The steam engine should make for an interesting piece . It's somewhat like the O scale Sierra West Boiler House item .
BTW , I finally got around to buying Nov RMC and really enjoyed the Diljak A-1 Container Co. article . Great job .
TERRY
|
|
Country: Canada
| Posts: 5832 |
|
|
|
wvrr
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 10:13:42 AM
|
Hi Terry,
Gerry deserves all the credit on the article. I only contributed my name for the structure. ;-)
Chuck
|
Wyoming Valley Railroad
http://sites.google.com/site/wvrails/ |
|
Country:
| Posts: 5013 |
|
|
|
MikeC
Administrator
Premium Member
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 11:18:24 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by TomPM
As far as the fan goes my off the cuff reaction is to say kitbash a water wheel if you can find one. If you can't find one in a LHS try a pet store. There are quite a few aquarium decorations that have water wheels as part of them. As I said this was off the top of my still need a few cups of coffee head.
That's what I love about this forum! I would never have thought of at least looking at aquarium decorations to see if something would work. Instead, I was thinking of Chuck scratchbuilding with styrene and all the drawing and measuring.... and even geometry  !
I think Tom's suggestion, Chuck, and your own idea to use a water wheel from an inexpensive kit are much better than what I had in mind. 
|
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a busy man. I have a railroad to run.
Visit the Central Missouri & Southern
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 21584 |
|
|
|
teejay
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 11:57:38 AM
|
I was looking at the wheel thinking ' modified guinea pig or chinchilla run ' ...don't know anything about aquariums . I'll bet you can find something for cheap , much easier than scratchbuilding .
The big exhaust stack is somewhat like I'm going through with the Hulett ( which is entirely a scratchbuild ) although I'm using various combinations of wood , cardstock and styrene .I would consider just styrene OR cardstock for the exhaust .
TERRY
|
|
Country: Canada
| Posts: 5832 |
|
|
|
Marken
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 3:31:27 PM
|
Chuck, when I get back to work on Monday I'll take a gander in our parts bin. We have a very thin sheetmetal fan used on one of our environmental chambers that would be perfect for your project. It's about 2 1/2 - 3" round.
Looks exactly like the one in the pic.
|
| In memory of Mike Chambers |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 2893 |
|
|
|
Dutchman
Administrator
Premium Member
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 3:56:55 PM
|
Chuck, it looks like a great project. I can't wait to see what you decide to do for the fan.
|
Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 23228 |
|
|
|
wvrr
Fireman
|
|
|
belg
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 4:22:43 PM
|
quote:
[i] I am focused on the breaker (used to break larger chucks of coal into smaller ones,
Chuck you better be careful you don't fall into your contraption! I'm assuming this was a Fruedian slip of the typist.
This looks like a very interesting project indeed and can't wait to see it come together. Pat
|
 |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 4378 |
|
|
|
Gene
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 7:35:48 PM
|
Hi everyone. First time post. Took me well over a month to peruse all the messages of the forums.
Just to throw in another source for a wheel for the fan house...how about a paddle wheel from a ship model?? Say from a sidewheel or older steamer. Just a thought.
Gene
Bedford, Va.
|
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 1230 |
|
|
|
Tyson Rayles
Moderator
Premium Member
|
Posted - 10/22/2004 : 9:03:38 PM
|
And a good thought it is Gene, also welcome to the forum!
|
| Mike |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 10163 |
|
|
|
wvrr
Fireman
|
|
|
Marken
Fireman
|
Posted - 10/27/2004 : 4:44:29 PM
|
Chuck, I checked into the fan wheel. After giving a call to the company that makes them I learned it comes as a complete motor/fan unit only. They won't sell just the fan wheel.
Doesn't make sense, but...
|
| In memory of Mike Chambers |
|
Country: USA
| Posts: 2893 |
|
|
|
LLayton
Section Hand
|
Posted - 10/28/2004 : 04:25:54 AM
|
Looks like a really interesting project!
Not sure if this is any help, but I found a Percision Lasercraft water-wheel in the O-Scale section at Valley Model Trains. They offer 2 different sizes .... might be worth checking out, here's a link:
http://www.valleymodeltrains.com/586o.html
Good luck on the project!
-Larry
|
|
Country:
| Posts: 83 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Home
Forums
Events Calendar
Sponsors
Guestbook
FAQ
