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