1" scale narrow gauge, for 3-1/2" gauge track. Prototype would have been a 42" gauge industrial (or contractor's) switcher.
The original "Dinky" shifter UPSY, as built by its designer Karl Friedrich. Castings were available from FRIENDS MODELS from the 1950s to 1979, and are now available again!
Bob Hagopian with his Friends Models "DINKY" at the New Jersey Live Steamers in 1982. Bob Hornsby is at left, and Mr. Purinton (Carl), at right.
1" scale narrow gauge "shifter", for 3-1/2" gauge track
Coal fired; Walschaert valve gear; link-and-pin couplers (or substitute the standard type). Hand pump; axle pump. Left or right injectors (or a VanBrocklin or Sait steam pump), may be fitted by the builder.
This is an excellent engine to learn on. Coal fired; clear and simple prints; will pull 2 adults. May be finished with side tanks as designed, or with a tender of your own design if you so choose. Steams well; light enough to be carried by 1 person; easy to take to other tracks.
In his own words, here are some excerpts from Mr. Friedrich's construction notes on his "0-4-0 Dinky Shifter" which he named "UPSY". On September 11th, 1952, Mr. Friedrich penned the following, in India ink on vellum paper, a copy of which is included in the drawings set:
PROTOTYPE: This design is based on industrial locomotives as built by H.K. Porter Co. and "UPSY" represents a medium-sized 0-4-0 Side Tanker. These dinkys were built in almost infinite variety and when you consider the different styles and gauges involved there must have been at least 300 different kinds of 4 wheelers built by H.K. Porter in the days before diesels. This particular design carried its coal under the fireman's set box in the cab, hence no coal bunker is visible. They were also made with a little 4 wheel fuel car. Side tankers and saddle tankers were built from the same patterns, size for size. The sizes ranged from 9" x 14" cylinder and 28" wheels to 18" x 24" cylinders with 46" wheel. All but the smaller sizes were available with either piston or slide valves, and Walschaert or Stevenson valve gear. Only the larger sizes had fluted rods. This design could also be the basis for a 1-1/2" scale locomotive, in which case it would represent a prototype with 10" x 14" cylinders and 30" wheels, 4'-3" wheelbase.
PERFORMANCE: During the 1952 Brotherhood meeting at Danvers, Mass. "UPSY" made several non stop runs around the big loop which is 1800 feet long and includes a 2.5% grade.
HAND PUMP: There is plenty of room in the left side tank for the "Yankee Shop" standard hand pump.
SIDE TANKS: Hold enough water for running on a short up and down track or a small loop. If longer runs are desired a special riding car can be constructed which will hold a couple of gallons of water and also some extra coal.
Look the project over with these 9 sheets of well-drawn, easily understood prints from Mr. Friedrich's originals. They were drawn between 1949 and 1952.
Click the Paypal button below, to purchase the drawings with PayPal or your credit card. $135.00 plus $25 shipping to the USA. For other countries, please inquire.
The frame is made of 2 pieces of hot-rolled steel, each one being 3/8" thick x 2" wide x about 26" long. The 3/8" x 2" size can be purchased in a 48" length at your local hardware store, "Big Box" home improvement store, or your local or online metal supplier.
Section 1 of the castings is the axle pump block, and 2 eccentrics.They are of bronze. The pump also serves as a substantial brace, for the frames. $225.00, plus USA shipping. To purchase, click the Paypal button below. For other countries, or to pay by check, please inquire.
Section 2 of the castings includes the cylinders and the steam chests (in iron), the rear cylinder heads (in iron), and the steam chest covers in bronze. $495.00 plus USA shipping. For other countries, or to pay by check, please inquire.
The 1" scale narrow gauge (for 3-1/2" gauge track) "DINKY SHIFTER" cylinder section. Cylinders are the standard "Yankee Shop" slide valve cylinders in iron, with iron steam chests, iron "rear cylinder heads", and bronze steam chest covers. "D" valve is bronze, fabricated by the builder. This forms "Section 2" for "Dinky".
The Friends Models "Dinky" at Charlie Purinton's home track in Byfield, Mass. in the 1970s. Photo from the collection of Carl Purinton, courtesy of CAP Purinton.
1" scale, 3-1/2" gauge "DINKY SHIFTER". Designed by Karl Friedrich. This example circa early 1960s at New Jersey; photo by Keith Taylor.
