Hi all,
It's great to read about John Baguley's projects and the progress he's making
there, so I thought I'd give an update on my mystery Pacific.
http://uk.photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/halfinchlivesteamforum/lst?.dir=/Mystery\
+Pacific&.src=gr&.view=t&BCID=halfinchlivesteamforum
After some careful research, I have determined that the chassis has an uncanny
resemblance to LBSC's Fayette, albeit with what looks like a larger boiler and
cab. The frame is steel plate. It features two slide valve cylinders placed at
the same position on the frame as Fayette, it's got Baker valve gear and all
wheels are spoked, just like Fayette. That's about where the similarities end,
however, as the engine features a pilot and not a buffer beam, (although, I
found a set of buffers in the box of parts that came with it.) the boiler
appears larger than Fayette's, there is an unfinished American style cab and an
American style Throttle lever instead of a screw-type regulator handle.
This loco was given to me about a year ago by a friend of mine who is a retired
machinist. I have since fallen in love with machining to the point that I made a
career change from broadcasting and communications to machining and engineering.
It is quite a jump, requiring lots of hours back in the classroom (after over
ten years away from academia) and lots of machining time. I love the challenge.
I am now awaiting the delivery of a new lathe/milling machine combo. I realize
that it's not the best thing to pick up, but it seemed to be the best machine
for the limited space I have, and I will at least get some work done on the
Pacific.
When the loco is done, it will be lettered for Black River Railway and
christened, "James Hartness," after the inventor of the turret lathe, who just
happened to have lived and worked in my home town of Springfield, Vermont.

Well, sorry for being a bit long winded there. More updates later.
-Aaron Gonthier

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