The 3/4" scale TOM THUMB at Yankee Shop, Danvers MA in the 1950s. Joe Friend gives a ride to an unidentified passenger.
The original (1940s) 3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge TOM THUMB. Weight 40 pounds. Building time 6 to 12 months, per the old "Yankee Shop" catalogs. Photo courtesy of Bill Esther.
3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge TOM THUMB
The 1940s are back! Here is a classic from the earliest days of Yankee Shop. Coal fired, vertical boiler. A 2-cylinder marine-style style engine powers a crankshaft, and drive to both axles is via gear reduction and a chain drive. Strong enough to pull one adult on a level track. Ideal first-time steamer on which to learn your machining skills. Perfect for that small backyard loop, or "up and down" line in your side yard.
The following is from Friends Models catalogs dating back to the 1950s....
This is a fine engine for a beginner. It does not take too long to build and is not expensive, has been built by several sons and wives. The newer re-designed loco will haul a man and a boy well on a reasonably level track. Minimum tools required, yet a good skill sharpener.
An updated version of TOM THUMB was published in LIVE STEAM & OUTDOOR RAILROADING magazine some years ago. It remains true to the original in many respects, but has modern improvements to make it a better steamer, a stronger hauler, and with improved coal and water-carrying capacity. It uses wheel castings from the original design. They are available below.
Drawings
The construction series for "The New Tom Thumb" ran in LIVE STEAM & OUTDOOR RAILROADING magazine a number of years ago. If you'd like to see Lester Friend's original (1941) TOM THUMB drawings for reference and comparison purposes, or so that you might "follow your own mind" (one of Lester's favorite sayings) when building your "New Tom Thumb", they are available below. There are 3 sheets total.
Please click the Paypal link at right for your original (1941) Tom Thumb drawings to be shipped to the USA. For other countries, please inquire.
WHEEL CASTINGS:
3" diameter, cast iron, the same wheels as specified for the original Tom Thumb of the 1940s. Order one set of 4 wheels for your Tom Thumb locomotive; order one set of 8 wheels, if you're building the "New" Tom Thumb, which has a tender. For other quantities, or to order spare wheels in case of machining mistakes, please contact me.
For other countries other than the USA, please inquire.
Tom Thumb wheels. Order 4 wheels for your Tom Thumb locomotive; order 8 wheels for your locomotive and tender. Identical to Lester Friend's original 1941-era wheel castings, and compatible with the "Improved Tom Thumb" in LIVE STEAM & OUTDOOR RAILROADING magazine.
Click the Paypal button at left to order your Tom Thumb wheels. Price $25 per wheel, plus $14 shipping for 4 wheels, or plus $25 shipping for 8 wheels.
The TOM THUMB wheel castings are identical to the 1940s-era "Yankee Shop" castings formerly available and they are compatible with the newer design. They elimate the need to fabricate your wheels from stock, and will provide excellent practice with machining iron castings. And they'll allow your NEW TOM THUMB to more-resemble the 1940s original than it otherwise would. Here is what one builder has said about the wheels:
-----Original Message-----
From: Al Z. Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2013 07:34 AM To: john at friendsmodels.com Subject: RE: Tom Thumb
Hi John:
The Tom Thumb wheel castings are fantastic! Thank you for making these castings available.
