The Chinese QJ 2-10-2

[bob turner]

I have always had a fascination with these large and colorful locomotives. China ran them along with thousands of other steam locomotives well into the 21st Century.

I threatened to do one in 17/64 about two decades ago - either I was out of the Google loop, or not much information was available. But recently I got nudged.

I found the USH drivers I was saving for the project, and a spare Berkshire frame, and just enough brass to extend it for the fifth axle.

So, it commenceth.

I have only to decal the Erie Berk, and just a little firebox screen to go on the giant 4-12-2, so this will now become my project. I will keep you posted.

For those not familiar with the QJ, I will post some links. in a minute.

[bob turner]

Here are some links. Obviously one can check Wikipedia and other sites - there is a video tape of Chinese steam that is truly spectacular - my copy is on tape, so someday I have to get it on some other medium.

Try this for a zillion photos:

https://www.bing.com/search?q=chinese+q ... 9b&pc=DCTE

And this for a rather expensive HO model that can be shipped to your doorstep for another $500 US dollars (well, they elevated the price and reduced shipping on this one, but 8 good photos photos? Wow! (normal price seems to be $695 + $500 shipping. HO!)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187856117593?m ... ecd6b06fc5

[bob turner]

This is a test post. Seems to be working.

[SWrailroader]

Bob,
Going international, eh? Maybe a DB German 2-10-0 next? Looking forward to this Chinese 2-10-2. Some of the videos of that 2-10-2 are pretty neat. Here is one on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rujnXQ8sJWw

Rob

[up148]

I've always been attracted to some of the larger European and Asian steam locomotives. Lot's of detail and color and they look to be real beasts.

[bob turner]

Update: Used a Lobaugh Berk frame with a heavy duty brass extension for axle #1.

Berk cylinder block seems to fit, and Maroon saved me two hours' labor by sending a package of Lobaugh cylinder inserts. Had to machine the raw cast block.

CLW H10 rods fit.

Drivers are in, and one side painted red. Looks great on the real thing, but the USH drivers now look toy-like.

And best of all, the boiler scales out to 2" in diameter in 17/64. Good thing; brass tube is no longer available in sizes bigger than that.

Having a bit of trouble enlarging the drawing on my home computer. I get it perfect, then hit "store," and it goes right back down to original size.

[steamaheadstephen59]

Well Bod this should be interesting. Its a nice Loco, but it does have spindly legs.

[Chris Webster]

I've long been fascinated by Chinese steam.

When i was in high school, J. David Conrad imported three SYs into the US -- and a few years later, when I was in college, the Susquehanna bought one of those and started running it out of my hometown.

A few years later, I attended two T.Y. Lin lectures in Buffalo when I was a part-time grad student. It now strikes me as very weird how he actually had to travel to campus to give a lecture instead of just appearing via Zoom... The early part of his career was designing railroad bridges in China - if you've seen photos of QJs double heading over long, curved concrete viaducts then you know his early work!

Later, on photo charters, I got to know a few guys that had traveled to China to chase QJs - they have amazing stories and interesting collections (because the cheap China-to-US postal rates allowed them to mail builder's plates and other hardware home to the US!)

I look forward to seeing your build Bob!

[bob turner]

Almost time for a photo. I got the firebox roughed out a few minutes ago - not satisfied yet with an almost undetectable taper.

Frame is done, with drivers, cylinders, and siderods in place. Next week cab & big dome/ skyline casing.

Saturday update - just had the firebox on and off four times. Frustrating. The taper is so imperceptible that it makes accurate positioning really tough.
Off to the airport - maybe a few slow rolls will refresh my mind.

It does look good sitting there with just one rivet holding the firebox in place. Tonight I will replace the rivets with 0-80 screws and solder it solid.

[bob turner]

Wello, a couple days early, but I now see some sort of daylight.
Cab is kind of rough still, and just sitting on there, and the skyline casing would fall off if it wasn't so heavy, and I am still not sure of dimensions - but Maroon has a scaled drawing headed my way, so I will get the angle and proportion of that casing done toward Friday, and start thinking about running boards.

The frame is modified Lobaugh Berk - drivers USH - rods CLW H10 modified. Cylinder block is from a rough casting.

Happy so far:



Oh - note the firebox slope. I was not sure the real thing had a slope, but you can almost see it in some proto photos. One shows only a bulge near the firebox junction. There are variations in the class, much like the variations in ATSF and PRR steam within classes.

[R.K. Maroon]

Bob, the post office says that the drawings I sent you are still in Dallas. I guess they got caught in the holiday slow down.

I am not a natural fan of steam around the world, but I do find that certain locomotives just have the right look. It's hard to argue with the Chinese QJ. I am also fond of the JNR C62:

https://trainspo.com/photo/145144/

Your results may vary

[up148]

Your fabrication skills are amazing and your prolificacy is incredible. Nice!

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Cranking right along, Bob! Maybe the plans from Maroon will help resolve things!