Traction Engine - “Minnie”
Metal “Minnie” Model
3D CAD Line Drawing of "Minnie" in 1:8 scale
Drawing Started: 15-Jan-15
“Swallow 2015”
Construction Started: 10-Mar-15 Finished: 26-Jul-15 Length - 696mm; Width - 318mm; Height - 461mm
Named “Swallow 2015” to credit our returned swallows, who once again built their nest on a purpose built shelf in the workshop, above the lathe.
Adults & chicks felt safe & were not disturbed by the noise. A hole in each of the workshop doors to allow free entry & exit.
Exhibited at:
Wilton Model Show - Mar'19
Bristol Model Engineering Show - Aug'17 & Aug'18
Great Dorset Steam Fair - Sep'15, Aug'17, Aug'19
South Cerney Vintage & Country Fair - Aug'15-Aug'18
STAGE 1 - 129 pieces
Part: FRONT WHEELS
Started: 10-Mar-15
Finished: 23-Mar-15
Wood: Hawthorn, Yew
No of Pieces: 129 pieces
Comments: Spokes made from solid, using milling machine
STAGE 2 - 628 pieces
Part: BACK WHEELS
Started: 24-Mar-15
Finished: 06-Apr-15
Wood: Hawthorn, Mahogany, Yew, Laburnum, Oak
No of Pieces: 499 pieces
Comments: Spokes made from solid, using milling machine
STAGE 3 - 719 pieces
Part: FRONT PERCH & SMOKE BOX
Started: 11-Apr-15
Finished: 29-Apr-15
Wood: Hawthorn, Oak, Yew
No of Pieces: 91 pieces
Front Perch
Smoke Box
STAGE 4 - 721 pieces
Part: CHIMNEY
Started: 01-May-15
Finished: 01-May-15
Wood: Purpleheart, Mulberry
No of Pieces: 2 pieces
Front Door View & Rear View showing Exhaust Blower
STAGE 5 - 878 pieces
Part: FIRE BOX
Started: 03-May-15
Finished: 16-May-15
Wood: Oak, Yew
No of Pieces: 157 pieces
STAGE 6 - 891 pieces
Part: BOILER SMOKE PIPES
Started: 17-May-15
Finished: 20-May-15
Wood: Hawthorn, Oak, Yew
No of Pieces: 13 pieces
STAGE 7 - 984 pieces
Part: BOILER, FIRE BOX DOOR, WATER GAUGE, ASH PAN
Started: 20-May-15
Finished: 28-May-15
Material: Oak, Hawthorn, Hawthorn, Yew, Plastic
No of Pieces: 93 pieces
Fire Box Door & Water Gauge
Ash Pan & Grate,
fits underneath Fire Box
STAGE 8 - 998 pieces
Part: REAR AXLE
Started: 30-May-15
Finished: 05-Jun-15
Wood: Elm, Hawthorn, Oak
No of Pieces: 14 pieces
Winding Drum
Drive Gear & Brake Drum
Gear cutting jig index plate, router clamped in compound vice, mounted on lathe
2 adult swallows with 5 chicks in nest above lathe
STAGE 9 - 1126 pieces
Part: HORN PLATE; BEARINGS
Started: 05-Jun-15
Finished: 08-Jun-15
Wood: Oak; Yew & Hawthorn
No of Pieces: 128 pieces
STAGE 10 - 1169 pieces
Part: CRANK SHAFT; FLYWHEEL; SECOND & THIRD DRIVE SHAFTS
Started: 09-Jun-15
Finished: 16-Jun-15
Material: Hawthorn, Oak, Lead
No of Pieces: 43 pieces
Comments: Flywheel contains 220gm of Lead for momentum, total weight of flywheel is 300gm
Rear view
Shaft details
Top view
STAGE 11 - 1334 pieces
Part: TENDER
Started: 16-Jun-15
Finished: 22-Jun-15
Wood: Yew, Hawthorn
No of Pieces: 165 pieces
Access Side
Brake Side
STAGE 12 - 1432 pieces
Part: STEERING; BRAKE; WATER PUMP
Started: 23-Jun-15
Finished: 30-Jun-15
Material: Hawthorn, Yew, Holly, Mahogany & Metal Chain
No of Pieces: 98 pieces
Steering
Brake & Water Pump
Holly Brake Band
STAGE 13 - 1474 pieces
Part: CYLINDER BLOCK, CONNECTING ROD, REGULATOR HANDLE
Started: 02-Jul-15
Finished: 08-Jul-15
Material: Hawthorn, Yew, Corian® Liner, Brass Threaded Inserts
No of Pieces: 42 pieces
Comments: "Swallow 2015" nameplate added
Cylinder Block
Connecting Rod
Regulator Handle
Swallows watching as Traction Engine made during 2015
Now on second brood, 5 chicks.
STAGE 14 - 1580 pieces
Part: MOTION PLATE; PISTON; WEIGHT SHAFT LINKAGE; VALVE CHEST
Started: 02-Jul-15
Finished: 18-Jul-15
Material: Hawthorn, Yew, Corian®
No of Pieces: 106 pieces
Motion Plate, Piston &
Weight Shaft Linkage
Valve Chest
STAGE 15 - 1655 pieces
Part: REGULATOR CHEST; WHISTLE; PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE; LUBRICATING SYSTEM
Started: 02-Jul-15
Finished: 26-Jul-15
Material: Mulberry, Hawthorn, Yew, Purpleheart, Metal Springs, Brass Bolt
No of Pieces: 49 pieces
Regulator Chest
Side View
Top View