BUILDING AN 0-4-0 "GOAT" LOCOMOTIVE SEPT. 1 - OCT. 8, 2009

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The "Critter" has been such a successful locomotive, we wanted to have another locomotive with a similar mech- anism. The folks at Ride Trains offered a mechanism for a Davenport side-rod locomotive as a "beta test" model.  Originally I was going to build a Davenport body, but we got to thinking, we can make this into a steam locomotive. Well, one of my old favorites might be close enough to work with this mechanism - a Reading A5a 0-4-0 switcher.

HEAVY - The UPS guy probably wondered what could possibly weigh 100 pounds!

WHAT'S INSIDE - a siderod locomotive mechanism, made of solid steel plate.

SECURING THE BATTERIES - Threaded rod is secured through the steel plate.

BATTERY PLATFORM - the location will be inside the locomotive cab.

BATTERIES INSTALLED - A nice solid place for the 380 CCA lawn tractor batteries. Later I had to modify this installation to fit the locomotive's upper deck.

DECK INSTALLED - The front is on the left, and the firebox will be on the right, extended a couple inches past the end of the original frame.

WHAT THE HECK IS IT - Once it was a culvert....now it looks like a scary face!

MYSTERY SOLVED - It's a boiler for the Goat!  Imagine a cab around the batteries.

SIDE VIEW - The goat's dimensions seem to match the prototype's, at least the basics.  Next: cut out the cab windows and make a roof.

CAB ROUGHED IN - The boiler slides into the front wall.  I'm not exactly sure yet about the curve of the roof.  I'll have to compare this photo with prototype photos.

GETTING THERE - The side windows are cut out, the roof profile changed slightly, and a temporary plastic roof applied.  The aluminum I have is too stiff to bend.

FINISHED PRODUCT - Just kidding!  This is Fred's live steam Reading A5a Camelback.  As long as ours looks somewhat similar to this one I'll be happy.