3/4" scale Pennsylvania A3 Switcher, cast iron drive wheel castings, bronze or iron cylinder castings, and sets
3/4" scale "New Shay", cast iron wheel castings
1-1/2" scale Pennsy A3 Switcher, cast iron drive wheel and cylinder castings
Please note: The Paypal "purchase links" on this page were updated Feb. 17th, 2024 and are current. However, only USA and Canadian purchase links are included.
For shipping outside of the USA or Canada, please contact me and I will send you a customized invoice, by which you can make direct payment for shipment to your country. Thank you.
Cylinder castings (in iron or bronze) and drive wheel (driver) castings in iron, are available for this beginner's live steam engine.
Drive wheel, and bronze cylinder castings, for the 3/4" scale Pennsylvania A3 Switcher. Our longtime bronze foundry closed permanently in late 2022; these cylinder castings are the first ones received from the new foundry.
If you are new to live steam, the 3/4" scale Pennsylvania "A3" Switcher is an ideal locomotive for a "first attempt".
The 3/4" scale 0-4-0 Pennsy Switcher is an ideal first time project, and can even be built by someone with no experience.......if he or she is willing to purchase some modest machinery and tooling, and is willing to make mistakes and "learn, as he/she goes".
When finished it will pull you and a friend around your small backyard track or up-and-down your driveway.
Note: If you desire a more "olde tyme" locomotive as a first-time project, consider the 3/4" scale RARITAN, a popular 2-4-0 that was designed by William Morewood in the 1960s. Castings and drawings are available from TANSKI MODEL ENGINEERING in Eden, NY.
See a coal-fired 3/4" scale Kozo Hiraoka "live steam" Pennsylvania Switcher in action........click the below YouTube links.
The first video shows a "bench test" under steam; the second one shows the engine "on the track".
(Both videos courtesy of John Hudak.)
Wheel and cylinder "Starter Package Specials" for new builders (or for old builders!)
Buy wheels and cylinders together and spend $20 less than if bought separately.
Here are 2 packages from which to choose:
1.) Drive Wheel Castings with Bronze Cylinders, regular price $395.00 plus shipping. $20 off for "New Builder/Starter Package" Special = $375.00 plus shipping
2.) Drive Wheel Castings with Iron Cylinders, regular price $385.00 plus shipping. $20 off for "New Builder/Starter Package" Special = $365.00 plus shipping
Please order below (remember to select either bronze or iron cylinders).
Bronze = same material called for in the original design, but using a casting gives a more prototypical appearance. Easy to machine. Soft piston packing is used; fitted piston rings may be used if desired.
Iron = the color of the iron gives an even more prototypical appearance than bronze. Easy to machine, but not as easy as bronze. Fitted piston rings should be used in lieu of soft packing.
TO PURCHASE WHEELS OR CYLINDERS INDIVIDUALLY AND NOT IN A "PACKAGE", PLEASE SCROLL DOWN.
For USA Shipping:
Click the button at left to purchase the 3/4" scale A3 Starter Package with bronze cylinders. USA shipping.
You can machine your 3/4" scale Pennsy 0-4-0 cylinders from Friends Models' bronze castings if you prefer not to fabricate them. This is the same material that Mr. Hiraoka specifies in the original design; the casting will save a substantial amount of fabrication time; it will provide a more prototypical appearance; and will provide you an excellent learning experience on a small, simple casting.....which will aid you in machining other castings in the future. Price: $145.00 per pair, plus shipping.
For USA shipping...
Cylinders for the 3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge A3 "Pennsy" Switcher:
Bronze.
Price $145.00 per pair, plus $20 shipping to the USA.
Drive wheel castings for the 3/4" scale, 3-1/2" gauge, "Kozo Hiraoka" A-3 Pennsylvania Switcher.
What people have said......
-----Original Message----- From: Paul A. Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 07:09 PM To: john@friendsmodels.com Subject:Pennsy A3 Driver Castings
My castings just arrived, and I've had a chance to start machining them. I wanted to send you an email and compliment you on the excellent quality of the castings. I am very pleased with them. It seems it's getting harder and harder to find really good castings. -- Paul A., Ontario Canada
Click on the Paypal link to the left, for your 3/4" scale A3 drive wheels to be shipped to the USA. ($25.00 shipping)
A set of "New Shay" wheels from Friends Models, after most machining has been completed. The bevel gears have been added to the wheels at right. Machine work and photo by Art Bailey.
Please click the Paypal link at right, for your "New Shay" wheels to be shipped to the USA.
A 1-1/2" scale "scale-up" of the popular 3/4" scale version.
These wheels will machine to 6-1/2" tread; 1-1/4" throw; at 7/8" thick.
The drive wheel for the 1-1/2" scale A3 class Pennsylvania Switcher is shown with the 3/4" scale version.
(February, 2024: purchase link for the 1-1/2" scale drive wheels, coming soon).
1-1/2" scale Pennsy A3 Cylinders
The 1-1/2" scale cylinder for the "Hiraoka" A3 Pennsylvania Switcher. The 3/4" scale A3 cylinder is in the foreground for comparison. Also, a common household item is at left, also for size reference.
1-1/2" scale cylinders for the the A3 "Pennsy Switcher"
These are direct scale-ups of the 3/4" scale version.
Top-quality gray iron castings made in New England, USA
Main bore cored to 1-1/2". This makes the bore's location easier to locate during setup, and eliminates 1-1/2" of drilling and boring.
May also be used for free-lance locomotives that require a slide valve cylinder casting of this size and type. Bore machines to 1-3/4", 1-7/8", or 2"; with approx. 3" maximum stroke
May be used for 7-1/4" or 7-1/2" gauge
Price: $295.00 per pair, plus shipping
The 1-1/2" scale "Pennsylvania A3 Switcher" cylinder castings. Top-quality gray iron, made in New England USA. The 3/4" scale cylinders are shown for size reference (as are the beer can and the pencil!)
(February, 2024: purchase link for the 1-1/2" scale cylinders, coming soon).
