Case Steam Traction Engine Kit

Discussion in 'General' started by Jim James, Feb 20, 2014.

  1. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Timothy Cannon recently posted a prototype photo showing an old steam traction engine taken in Brownwood, MO. Since I actually model Brownwood and the photo fits my era I naturally had to have a model of an old steam traction engine (I learned not to call them "tractors") and thanks to Manny for leading me to Wiseman Model Services for this kit. This is not a "how to" build thread but I'll post pics along the way for the fun of it.
    This is not a kit review but I have some things to say about it up front. It's too expensive at $89. It will be a very nice model when finished but the instructions are horrible. No written instructions, just very confusing exploded drawings and a technical page copied from an old Case service manual. The kit is missing two pieces (so far) and an email and phone call has gone unanswered so far. I need those parts. There are no decals, no painting guidelines and no history info. For $89 I expected a better initial experience. On a good note the parts a pretty much free of flashing and show great fine detail. I thinks there's about 150 parts! Here's a couple of photos. I've assembled the rear tanks and deck and the the firebox/boiler. I'll spare you guys all the frustrations I've suffered so far.
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  2. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Project update: This pile of tiny parts is starting to come together. I now feel that this kit is worth the money and I'm very happy with how it's turning out. I don't suspect any of you are going to run out and buy this kit but if you do you will have to supplement to sucky instructions with some time on the internet to see how these awesome machines are put together. I've had to disassemble and reassemble many sections due to the lack of instructional clarity but I'm not letting all this frustration get me down. Here's how it looks so far.
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    This project is all your fault, Timothy Cannon!
     
  3. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Wow Jim. Thats some crazy detail. You can see practically every gear tooth. I like the colors as well. You are a real craftsman at this early kit stuff, very impressive.
    Thanks for showing us your efforts :)
     
  4. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Thanks, Tom. I think the colors make the model. Those are pretty much the Case factory colors and I've always been facinated by these beautiful old steamers.
     
  5. nvrr49

    nvrr49 Member

    That is beautiful.


    Kent in KC
    nvrr49@yahoo.com
    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
     
  6. geep07

    geep07 Member

    Jim,

    I see in one of your pictures there is a hand held magnifying glass, what are you getting into? Or is it for getting on your hands and knees looking for a micro part that fell on the floor and around your work table.

    It will be a great looking model when completed, if it isn't already!

    Keep on chuggn!

    John
     
  7. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Thanks guys. How funny! I was looking for that magnifying glass the other day when I dropped another micro part and I couldn't find it. Now I see it in the photo. How funny. Thanks John.
     
  8. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Just a quick progress photo. The rear wheels are made up of eight separate pieces each so they were very time consuming. There's a lot left to do and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020)

    TAG1014 (Tom Galbraith RIP 7/15/2020) Passed Away July 15, 2020 Frisco.org Supporter

    Jim have you been able to work around the missing parts? Seems like you've been doing pretty well and the tractor is looking great!

    Tom G.
     
  10. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Thanks and yes, they sent the parts I needed. Keith Wiseman, the owner of Wiseman Model Services, has been very helpful.
     
  11. SAFN SAAP

    SAFN SAAP Member

    Jim,

    Nice job on the tractor. Working in metal can be a bear at times. I'm sorry to hear your trouble with Keith, but he stands behind his products. He's very reputable. Keep up the great work! Nice tractor on flat car, btw. ;)

    Manny
     
  12. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Manny, you sure do build a strong flat car. It's seen a lot of service on the Zalma Branch!
     
  13. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Another progress post. I finished the roof and made it removable and added the side steps, steering chains and various piping. I still have a detail or two to add but this is basically it. Right now it looks showroom new and shiny but I will lightly weather it and use dull coat to tone it down. I just wanted you tot see it in it's prestine condition. My Magic Water arrived so now it's time to get busy on the Zalma Branch's Diversion Channel scene :)
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  14. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Okay, last photo. Here it is in showroom condition with all the piping and details in place and a spray of dull finish. I'll soon get around to weathering it and add coal to the bunkers. Then I'll prepare a box car body and try to replicate that prototype photo. Thanks for checking it out.
    [​IMG]
     
  15. Ozarktraveler

    Ozarktraveler Member

    Oh yeah... ;-)
     
  16. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

  17. Jim James

    Jim James Staff Member Staff Member

    Heck yes! That's a cool video. Those old steam traction engines were some bad boys.
     
  18. gjslsffan

    gjslsffan Staff Member Staff Member

    Yessir. When you look at the size of the boiler and cylinders on the tractor, and compare that, to the same on even a small steam locomotive, we can begin to see the kind of just raw power involved. Just really interesting stuff huh?
     
  19. r c h

    r c h Ft Worth - Tulsa Engineer

    That's some outstanding work, Jim. Keep up the good work.
     
  20. JamesP

    JamesP James Pekarek

    Great job on the Case traction engine! It looks fantastic.

    My dad had a 40 HP 1914 Case when I was a teenager, although it is a bit smaller than your model (maybe a 50 or 65 HP?) and a few years newer:

    OldPictures010.jpg

    Incidentally, Case rated their engine's horsepower at the flywheel, whereas most others rated the horsepower at the drawbar. Quite a bit of power was wasted in the transmission, so a 40 HP Case probably was only good for 14 draw bar horsepower or so. The 18 horsepower engine in the video is rated at the drawbar. Another caveat is that steam traction engine manufacturers were conservative in the HP ratings of their engines. One famous 40 HP Case in Oklahoma used to test out at an actual 60+ HP on the Prony Brake (a forerunner to the modern dyno).

    - James
     

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