At the Model Railroad Exhibition Cologne 2014

On Saturday, I visited the 31st International Model Railroad Exhibition at Cologne, which took place alonside the 8th Cologne’s Live-Steam Meeting.

Looking around, I got some very nice impressions. I had three things in mind: Buy a soldering torch and brazing solder, look for a machine vice and get drivers for the Dewey. No luck with the torch, they had nothing small enough for Fn3 scale. Nevertheless, I bought some very good silver brazing solder. And I’m a very happy owner of a Wabeco machine vice with 100mm working width. *G*

The Goal: Scratch-Built Dewey Bros. Locomotive

For the next year I’ve set an ambitious goal: I’d like to attempt my very first scratch-build of a steam locomotive in Fn3 (1/20.32, 3-ft-narrow gauge).
My model of choice is an industrial loco of the late 19th century:
Picture of the prototype with some measures
(Source: Sinclair, Angus: Development of the locomotive engine, New York 1907, p.511)