Cylinder castings (in iron or bronze) and drive wheel (driver) castings in iron, are now available for this beginner's live steam engine by Mr. Kozo Hiraoka!
If you are new to live steam, THIS is the locomotive you should build to "get started".
The 3/4" scale 0-4-0 Pennsy Switcher is an IDEAL first time project, and CAN be built by someone with no experience.......if you are willing to purchase some modest machinery and tooling, and are willing to make mistakes and LEARN AS YOU GO. When finished it will pull you and a friend around your small backyard track or up-and-down your driveway. Friends can supply the wheel and the cylinder castings.
First time builders, please click HERE for more information on machinery, tools, and building your first engine.
See a coal-fired 3/4" scale Kozo Hiraoka "live steam" Pennsylvania Switcher in action........click the below YouTube links.
The first video shows a "bench test" under steam; the second one shows the engine "on the track".
(Both videos courtesy of John Hudak.)
"Starter Package Specials" for New Builders (or for old builders!)
Buy wheels and cylinders together and spend $10 less than if bought separately.
Here are 2 packages from which to choose:
1.) Drive Wheel Castings with Bronze Cylinders, regular price $275 plus shipping. $10 off for "New Builder/Starter Package" Special = $265 plus shipping
2.) Drive Wheel Castings with Iron Cylinders, regular price $270 plus shipping. $10 off for "New Builder/Starter Package" Special = $260 plus shipping
Please order below (remember to select either bronze or iron cylinders).
Bronze = same material called for in the original design. Easy to machine. Soft piston packing is used; fitted piston rings may be used if desired.
Iron = prototypical appearance. Easy to machine, but not as easy as bronze. Fitted piston rings must be used in lieu of soft packing.
TO PURCHASE WHEELS OR CYLINDERS INDIVIDUALLY AND NOT IN A "PACKAGE", PLEASE SCROLL DOWN.
NOTE: Friends Yankee Shop Models ships castings worldwide. If your country is not listed below, please contact me and I will add a Paypal payment link for you.
For USA Shipping:
For shipping outside the USA:
Australia:
New Zealand
Canada
If your country is not listed above, please contact me and I will add it. Thank you.
These are brand new bronze castings, made in New England USA from brand new patterns. They were designed directly from Mr. Hiraoka's drawings, with the proper foundry "shrink" and machining allowances added. They have a 1/2" cored hole for the bore. This makes the bore's position easier to locate "by eye" before final adjustments, and, eliminates one-half inch of drilling.
Now you can machine your 3/4" scale Pennsy 0-4-0 cylinders from bronze castings if you prefer not to fabricate them. This is the same material that Mr. Hiraoka specifies in the original design; the casting will save a substantial amount of fabrication time; it will provide a more prototypical appearance; and will provide you an EXCELLENT learning experience on a small, simple casting.....which will aid you in machining other castings in the future. Price: $95 per pair plus shipping.
Bronze cylinder castings for the "Kozo Hiraoka" 3/4" scale A3 Pennsylvania Switcher.
Cylinders for the 3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge A3 "Pennsy" Switcher:
BRONZE, made in USA, bore cored to 1/2".
Price $95 per pair plus $20 shipping to the USA. For Canada and overseas, please inquire.
These are brand new iron castings, made in New England USA from brand new patterns. They were designed directly from Mr. Hiraoka's drawings, with the proper foundry "shrink" and machining allowances added. They have a 1/2" cored hole for the bore. This makes the bore's position easier to locate "by eye" before final adjustments, and, eliminates one-half inch of drilling. Now you can machine your 3/4" scale Pennsy 0-4-0 cylinders from castings if you prefer not to fabricate them. This is a different material that Mr. Hiraoka specifies in the original design; fitted piston rings will need to be used in lieu of the "soft packing" called for in the design.
The casting will save a substantial amount of fabrication time; it will provide a prototypical appearance; and will provide you an EXCELLENT learning experience on a small, simple casting.....which will aid you in machining other castings in the future. Price: $90 per pair plus shipping.
March, 2010: Cylinder castings for the 3/4" scale A3 Pennsy 0-4-0 Switcher are now available. Top-quality gray iron, made in New England USA. To order, please scroll down.
Cylinders for the 3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge A3 "Pennsy" Switcher:
Gray Iron, made in USA, bore cored to 1/2".
Price $90 per pair plus $20 shipping to the USA. For Canada and overseas, please inquire.
Drive wheel castings for the 3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge, "Kozo Hiraoka" A-3 Pennsylvania Switcher. Proudly made in New England, USA.
What people are saying.......
-----Original Message----- From: Paul A. Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 07:09 PM To: john@friendsmodels.com Subject:Pennsy A3 Driver Castings
My castings just arrived, and I've had a chance to start machining
them. I wanted to send you an email and compliment you on the
excellent quality of the castings. I am very pleased with them. It
seems it's getting harder and harder to find really good castings.
--
Paul A., Ontario Canada
Click on the Paypal link to the left to pay $180.00 plus shipping, for your Kozo drive wheels to be shipped to the USA.
A set of "New Shay" wheels from Friends Models, after most machining has been completed. The bevel gears have been added to the wheels at right. Why not get started on YOUR "New Shay", today? Machine work and photo by Art Bailey.
Don't forget to order RAIL.......5/8" high aluminum rail, in five-foot lengths for use as "display track", is now available!
Please click the Paypal link at right, for your "New Shay" wheels to be shipped to the USA.
The correct casting for the 1-1/2 "scale-up" of the popular 3/4" scale version.
Suitable for other locomotives, too! These wheels will machine to 6-1/2" tread; 1-1/4" throw; at 7/8" thick.
Another view of the 1-1/2" scale drive wheel for the Pennsylvania Switcher, with a 3/4" scale wheel shown for comparison. The pattern to make this casting was manufactured on CNC equipment and is based on Mr. Hiraoka's drawing for the 3/4" scale A3 switcher. Note the "lip" or "step" on the tread, to make the machining of the flange & tread a little less time-consuming.
1-1/2" scale A3 Drive Wheel castings are now ready and available! Wheels are $99 each. The cost for 4 wheels is $396 plus UPS. Purchase by clicking the Paypal Button, below.
UPS shipping costs will vary by destination. After you buy the wheels with Paypal (below) I will contact you with the UPS shipping amount based on your address. You may then pay the shipping in a separate Paypal or credit card transaction. Personal checks, or credit cards processed NOT through Paypal, are also options. Please inquire.
NOTE: If you're building the 1-1/2" scale Pennsy A3 Switcher, you may want cylinder castings to accompany your new drive wheel castings. A beautiful set of USA-made cylinders, in iron, correctly cast for the "Kozo" A3 in 1-1/2" scale, is available for $195 plus shipping. You will absolutely LOVE these cylinders! Scroll down please, to see them.
More shipping notes: You may buy the wheels only, the cylinders only, or wheels AND cylinders, and I will contact you with a shipping price after your purchases. Shipping price depends on your location, and on the weight of the package. Click Paypal below to buy (or contact me for non-Paypal credit card, or to use a personal check) and I will calculate shipping for you.
Want more Pennsy A3 Switcher castings in 1-1/2" scale?
Cylinder Heads, Steam Chests, domes, smokebox front, etc. for the 1-1/2" scale A3 Pennsylvania Switcher will be produced if you desire. Please contact me with your wants.
The drive wheel for the 1-1/2" scale A3 class Pennsylvania Switcher. Mr. Hiraoka's book, and a drive wheel in 3/4" scale, are shown for size comparison.
Please click the Paypal link above to pay for your 1-1/2" scale A3 "Pennsylvania Switcher" drive wheels. After your purchase, I will contact you with the UPS cost which you will pay separately. For shipping to Canada and overseas, shipping shall be by the US Postal Service's International Priority Mail.
1-1/2" scale Pennsy A3 Cylinders
The 1-1/2" scale cylinder for the "Hiraoka" A3 Pennsylvania Switcher. The 3/4" scale A3 cylinder is in the foreground for comparison. Also, a common household item is at left, also for size reference.
1-1/2" scale cylinders now available for the A3 "Pennsy Switcher"!
These are direct scale-ups of the 3/4" version in the popular "Pennsylvania Switcher" book by Mr. Hiraoka (published by Village Press)
Top-quality gray iron castings made in New England, USA
Main bore cored to 1-1/2". This makes the bore's location easier to locate during setup, and eliminates 1-1/2" of drilling and boring.
May also be used for free-lance locomotives that require a slide valve cylinder casting of this size and type. Bore machines to 1-3/4", 1-7/8", or 2"; with approx. 3" maximum stroke
May be used for 7-1/4" or 7-1/2" gauge
Price: $195 per pair, plus shipping
The 1-1/2" scale "Pennsylvania A3 Switcher" cylinder castings. Top-quality gray iron, made in New England USA. The 3/4" scale cylinders are shown for size reference (as are the beer can and the pencil!)
Ready to Buy?
The cylinders cost $195.00 per pair, plus shipping.
Paypal, credit card, and checks accepted. For Paypal (or for credit card "via" Paypal), please click the Paypal link below. For credit card NOT through Paypal, or for personal check, please inquire by contacting me.
Shipping cost:varies based on your location, and also depends on whether or not you're ordering the drive wheels for the 1-1/2" A3 Switcher too (which adds substantial weight to the package). Please purchase the cylinders by clicking the Paypal link below (or contact me for other payment methods), and I will then calculate shipping cost based on your location and whether or not you're also ordering the drive wheels. You may then pay the shipping in a 2nd transaction.
