Heisler build.

[wazzou]

The #91 at Mount Rainier Scenic in Mineral, WA is a 90T "West Coast Special" Heisler that I've ridden on many, many times and I've even cracked the throttle on it more than a few times.

There are plenty of images of it online but the link below is a sister to it.

https://www.washingtonruralheritage.org/digital/collection/nols/id/2771/

[metalworkertom]

Back in the Roco Atlas years I bought a lot of extra parts, including everything I'd need to maintain my Heisler  The Roco 0-6-0 (saddletank, not the square tank) is where I got my wheels from, as well as the rods and pins.  It's held up well, if I could figure out how to get a short-wheelbase truck using those wheels I'd probably do it.   Like I said, the Atlas Shay is the only thing I've found with a truck wheelbase that short that has inside pickups on it.

I'm still working on wheel selection. Limited to what I have on hand currently. I'm definitely not in love with the ones in progress . I think I will attempt to scratch build some today. As far as trucks go I'm definitely looking at Gerd's method and some I saw modified om a Post here. I'll link that post when I start those modifications. I may just use the Atlas ones without spokes for the time being to move forward . depends on how the scratch built wheels go.








If you don't already have it, I highly recommend the "Heisler, an unusual locomotive" by Kline, used ones are out on Amazon, even soft cover.  That book has a lot of drawings and dimensions in in it.   Heisler, like Climax, used a lot of common parts between various classes of locomotives.   That drawing you have is not really identified that well but if you check the dimensions out against the class list in the book you can do it that way.   The biggest 3-truck, 90-ton Heislers weren't all that common and the only one I've ever seen in the flesh is the one at Cass.   I've cabridden that one and it really is like riding in an off-balance washing machine, just like my father related it to me.

https://mountainrailwv.com/tour/heisler-6/

    I do have the Kline book . In my previous post the measurements  given are from the Kline book. The drawing is pretty close. If I understand correctly to increase Tonnage Heisler added a larger boiler and Cylinders and not much else. So a 90 ton with 40 " drivers and a 60 ton with 40" drivers will be the same height from rail top to the frame . The Cab will be the same . The frame only lengthened to account for the boiler change.

Here's Gerds, and what you want to pay attention to on his is how he modified the Kato critter trucks.   It's pretty awesome.
https://waldbahner.de/en/2018/09/waldbahn-gazette-west-side-lumber-co-heisler-2-in-spur-n/

One thing I did make - your choice but I have parts - is the Radley-Hunter style stack like on W&D 7.   I put one on my Lima 2-6-0.  Original is made from turned aluminum and the castings are pewter.   The dome castings, bell, etc. are commercial - see Republic Locomotive Works as the best (and sometimes only) source of this stuff.   This is the type of stack shown on that drawing.
http://www.randgust.com/HVR5042%20final%205.jpg

I will get with you on this at some point . I'd like to get another of your kits as well.

[metalworkertom]

I'm trying to change my comment colors inside the Quotes to be more visible . Not too good on the computer skills. One line made it partial victory. Now off to see about wheels .Ttake Two

[metalworkertom]

Not bad for a first attempt at this method. Made a die for the spokes. Made it  .220 in diameter to account for metal expansion.



Used my bearing press to push it into 1/8" nickel silver. This will allow for machining to size .



Need to make a more robust die and figure out a way to measure depth of stroke. Probably need to change the die heat treat a little too. Luckily I was aware of this possibility so insured I was shielded from the flying piece that broke off.