4 inch Traction engine model

[national1902]

Hi,
I'm very new at model engineering and have a few questions I hope some of you might be able to help answer. I'm getting kind of keen on building a 4 inch (or 4.5 inch) agricultural type traction engine. I'm wondering if there are any locally made casting kits/ plans for such a size engine? I spose the other questions I have are; do I need a steam ticket to run it?, How do I go about insurance for such a thing? and then probably down the track I'll need to learn about boiler certificates and engineers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[cobbadog]

Not sure of the answers to your questions but now days I can only guess that you will need a ticket for the boiler and that you also have a certificate to operate. Insurances can be covered by joining a Club and there should be a list of Clubs on the TOMM home page some where. What area are you in as then someone can direct you to the right people. Have a look through the other model makers here to see if any of them are into steam and send them a PM (private message) to get some answers.
Hopefully you will get all the answers you need and that they are correct. It will be nice to see what you come up with and see it being built. Good luck with it!

[franco]

Hi,
I'm very new at model engineering and have a few questions I hope some of you might be able to help answer. I'm getting kind of keen on building a 4 inch (or 4.5 inch) agricultural type traction engine. I'm wondering if there are any locally made casting kits/ plans for such a size engine? I spose the other questions I have are; do I need a steam ticket to run it?, How do I go about insurance for such a thing? and then probably down the track I'll need to learn about boiler certificates and engineers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think a steam ticket is needed to operate very small boilers on a non-commercial basis, but it would be wise to check this with the AALS (Australian Association of Live Steamers)

Be aware  that boilers for models in Australia must comply with the AMBSC (Australian Miniature Boiler Safety Committee) Code. Some boilers or boiler designs supplied with overseas kits for locos and traction engines do not comply, and therefore cannot be legally used here. If thinking of importing a kit, check with the AMBSC first whether the boiler design complies with the AMBSC standards.

There is a contact list here:
http://www.aals.asn.au./

There are different AAMBC Codes for copper (Code 1) and steel (Code 2) boilers. The first two links are to the lists of contents of the two codes, and the third one gives the prices and address for purchase of each of the codes. However, if the boiler is a common design which has been approved by the AAMBC these design requirements in the codes will will already been covered.

http://www.aals.asn.au/AMBSC/AMBSC_Code1.htm
http://www.aals.asn.au/AMBSC/AMBSC_Code2.htm
http://www.smex.net.au/Store/Store_AALS-Codes.php

I understand it is very much easier when building model boilers if you can join an appropriate model engineering club who will have an AMBSC  approved boiler inspector. He will be able to inspect your boiler during construction, supervise the water testing of the boiler, and certify it before it is put into service. As Cobbadog mentioned above, public liability insurance can usually be arranged through the club. The certificate needs to be renewed periodically. I'm not sure how frequently this happens. It will require an inspection by an AMBSC boiler inspector for the renewal.

E and J Winter stock castings for locomotives and engines, also small scale steam fittings, pressure gauges etc. I don't know whether they stock traction engine kits though - probably worth enquiring.

http://www.ejwinter.com.au/

That would be a very rewarding project. Good luck with it, and keep us informed with your progress.

Regards,

Frank.