Bill Van Brocklin: Difference between revisions

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File:BillVanBrocklin No15 No19 take2.PNG|No. 19 - Photo taken by Pat Fahey at Holliston MA track, circa 1985. Van Brocklin #15 in the front, #19 behind. No. 19 began life as a slip-eccentric, Stephenson gear 4-4-2, Van Brocklin rebuilt it into a 4-6-0 with Walschaerts gear in 1984.
File:BillVanBrocklin No15 No19 take2.PNG|No. 19 - Photo taken by Pat Fahey at Holliston MA track, circa 1985. Van Brocklin #15 in the front, #19 behind. No. 19 began life as a slip-eccentric, Stephenson gear 4-4-2, Van Brocklin rebuilt it into a 4-6-0 with Walschaerts gear in 1984.
File:NELS CharliePurinton GeorgeDiamond BVBrocklin CapPurinton.jpg|No. 28 - With [[Bill Van Brocklin]]'s new 4-4-0 on the turntable, the guys look on. [[Charles S. Purinton|Charlie Purinton]], George Diamond, [[Bill Van Brocklin]] and Cap Purinton. August 22, 1987 meet at [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]]'s Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by [[Bob Hornsby]].
File:NELS CharliePurinton GeorgeDiamond BVBrocklin CapPurinton.jpg|No. 28 - With [[Bill Van Brocklin]]'s new 4-4-0 on the turntable, the guys look on. [[Charles S. Purinton|Charlie Purinton]], George Diamond, [[Bill Van Brocklin]] and Cap Purinton. August 22, 1987 meet at [[Charles A. Purinton|Carl Purinton]]'s Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by [[Bob Hornsby]].
File:BillVanBrocklin No20.PNG|No. 20 - A 4-8-0 locomotive built by Van Brocklin, which is a departure from his other designs: Camelback, wheel arrangement, inclined cylinders.
File:BillVanBrocklin No20.PNG|No. 20 - The second "FireQueen", a 4-8-0 locomotive built by Van Brocklin, which is a departure from his other designs: Camelback, wheel arrangement, inclined cylinders.
File:BillVanBrocklin No31.PNG|No. 31 - Bill Van Brocklin's 31st locomotive.  Shot taken at Waushakum on 26 June 2016, and placed on the ¾” Facebook page by Mike Boucher. Baker valve gear, 5 ¼” boiler. Owned by Joe Cordelle of Waushakum LS, MA as of 2016. According to Pat Fahey’s roster, this one used the wheels and frames of Van Brocklin’s 4-4-2 #22, which had been completed in 1982.
File:BillVanBrocklin No31.PNG|No. 31 - Bill Van Brocklin's 31st locomotive.  Shot taken at Waushakum on 26 June 2016, and placed on the ¾” Facebook page by Mike Boucher. Baker valve gear, 5 ¼” boiler. Owned by Joe Cordelle of Waushakum LS, MA as of 2016. According to Pat Fahey’s roster, this one used the wheels and frames of Van Brocklin’s 4-4-2 #22, which had been completed in 1982.
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Revision as of 23:59, 5 July 2017


Bill Van Brocklin Jr. was a prolific live steam locomotive builder. Perhaps he is best known for his steam pump designs.

Photo Journal

  • The cover photo of the July-August 1950 edition of The Live Steamer features a detailed view of the well known 3/4 inch scale Boston & Maine Atlantic type locomotive built by William (Bill) Van Brocklin Jr of Roslindale, Mass., and it is shown with the builder at the 1949 N.E.L.S. annual Live Steam Meet at Danvers. This is Bill's second locomotive.

    The cover photo of the July-August 1950 edition of The Live Steamer features a detailed view of the well known 3/4 inch scale Boston & Maine Atlantic type locomotive built by William (Bill) Van Brocklin Jr of Roslindale, Mass., and it is shown with the builder at the 1949 N.E.L.S. annual Live Steam Meet at Danvers. This is Bill's second locomotive.

  • Shot taken at the Danvers MA track around 1947 with Bill Van Brocklin himself as engineer. Pat Fahey, who is the owner as of 2016, notes that the loco was rebuilt twice; 4 ½” boiler, Baker gear. Photo taken from Purinton’s Live Steam of Years Gone By, pg. 100. This is Bill's second locomotive, and the first built in 3/4 inch scale.

    Shot taken at the Danvers MA track around 1947 with Bill Van Brocklin himself as engineer. Pat Fahey, who is the owner as of 2016, notes that the loco was rebuilt twice; 4 ½” boiler, Baker gear. Photo taken from Purinton’s Live Steam of Years Gone By, pg. 100. This is Bill's second locomotive, and the first built in 3/4 inch scale.

  • Billy Van Brocklin on the high line running is his Yankee Shop 3/4 inch scale 4-4-2 at Waushakum. Photo by Carrdo.

    Billy Van Brocklin on the high line running is his Yankee Shop 3/4 inch scale 4-4-2 at Waushakum. Photo by Carrdo.

  • Bill Van Brocklin at Carl Purinton's track, Boxford, Massachusetts, circa 1960.

    Bill Van Brocklin at Carl Purinton's track, Boxford, Massachusetts, circa 1960.

  • The late Bill Van Brocklin with his 1800 era 4-4-0 which he named "Fire Queen."

    The late Bill Van Brocklin with his 1800 era 4-4-0 which he named "Fire Queen."

  • IBLS 1972 Meet at Pioneer Valley Live Steamers. In the center, kneeling & looking at the camera is Bill Van Brocklin with his beautiful 4-4-0 named "Fire Queen." It ran like a watch, as all his engines. To the left of Bill is Paul Ealsons Pacific 6870. The gent without a hat is the late Frank Dreshler from Whitestone, NY. Behind Bill Van Brocklin is Keith Muldowney form New Jersey Live Steamers. In the white sweater with his back to the camera is Ben Nixon talking to the late Jim Maxheimer.

    IBLS 1972 Meet at Pioneer Valley Live Steamers. In the center, kneeling & looking at the camera is Bill Van Brocklin with his beautiful 4-4-0 named "Fire Queen." It ran like a watch, as all his engines. To the left of Bill is Paul Ealsons Pacific 6870. The gent without a hat is the late Frank Dreshler from Whitestone, NY. Behind Bill Van Brocklin is Keith Muldowney form New Jersey Live Steamers. In the white sweater with his back to the camera is Ben Nixon talking to the late Jim Maxheimer.

  • A beautiful Illinois Central 4-4-0 "Fire Queen" built by Bill Van Brocklin and owned by Elmer Roth as of 1995. It feaures a coal fired copper boiler, 2 injectors, 2 cyl. steam water pump, 2 injectors, mech. oiler, whistle,hand pump and hydraulic brakes on the tender. She was rebuilt in 1995 by Elmer. Photo by James W. Leggett. From TrainNet.org.

    A beautiful Illinois Central 4-4-0 "Fire Queen" built by Bill Van Brocklin and owned by Elmer Roth as of 1995. It feaures a coal fired copper boiler, 2 injectors, 2 cyl. steam water pump, 2 injectors, mech. oiler, whistle,hand pump and hydraulic brakes on the tender. She was rebuilt in 1995 by Elmer. Photo by James W. Leggett. From TrainNet.org.

  • With Bill Van Brocklin's new 4-4-0 on the turntable, the guys look on. Charlie Purinton, George Diamond, Bill Van Brocklin and Cap Purinton. August 22, 1987 meet at Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by Bob Hornsby.

    With Bill Van Brocklin's new 4-4-0 on the turntable, the guys look on. Charlie Purinton, George Diamond, Bill Van Brocklin and Cap Purinton. August 22, 1987 meet at Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by Bob Hornsby.

  • Bill Van Brocklin at Roy's in Danvers, Mass, 1988. Photo provided by Bob Hornsby.

    Bill Van Brocklin at Roy's in Danvers, Mass, 1988. Photo provided by Bob Hornsby.

  • Bill Van Brocklin at the last Waushakum Live Steamers meet held at the old track location. The 1996 meet was the last and final meet at Norfolk Street track site. Courtesy of Patrick Fahey.

    Bill Van Brocklin at the last Waushakum Live Steamers meet held at the old track location. The 1996 meet was the last and final meet at Norfolk Street track site. Courtesy of Patrick Fahey.

  • William Van Brocklin, Jr engine house at Waushakum Live Steamers. Photo by Arthur Butler, from collection of Patrick Fahey.

    William Van Brocklin, Jr engine house at Waushakum Live Steamers. Photo by Arthur Butler, from collection of Patrick Fahey.

  • The elevation drawing of the Van Brocklin single-cylinder pump.

    The elevation drawing of the Van Brocklin single-cylinder pump.

  • 3-1/2 inch gauge 10 Wheeler "Amabelle" design by Van Brocklin.

    3-1/2 inch gauge 10 Wheeler "Amabelle" design by Van Brocklin.

Two FireQueens

Pat Fahey wrote, 3 July 2017:

I was just up on the IBLS website, and I would like to make a correction. The correction is this, dealing with Bill Van Brocklin and "FireQueen". Bill did have two locomotives named "FireQueen".
The first being his inch and half scale Number 11, a 4-4-0 which you show a photo of on the website. The second locomotive to be named "FireQueen" is a locomotive I once owned which is Number 20. Number 20 was built to 3/4 inch scale and was a 4-8-0 Camelback, this is only one of two 4-8-0's that Bill built.
I am attaching photo's of number 20 as built, with Stevenson valve gear, and rebuilt with Southern valve gear when I owned the locomotive.
I found a nice clear shot, taken by Bill Van Brocklin showing the plate on number 20.
  • Bill Van Brocklin's locomotive #20, the second "FireQueen". Photo by Bill Van Brocklin, provided by Pat Fahey.

    Bill Van Brocklin's locomotive #20, the second "FireQueen". Photo by Bill Van Brocklin, provided by Pat Fahey.

  • Closeup of the name plate of Bill Van Brocklin's #20 "FireQueen".

    Closeup of the name plate of Bill Van Brocklin's #20 "FireQueen".

  • BillVanBrocklin FireQueen20 Color.jpg
  • Pat Fahey with "FireQueen", Bill Van Brocklin's 20th locomotive. Notice that it has been converted from Stevenson valve gear to Southern valve gear.

    Pat Fahey with "FireQueen", Bill Van Brocklin's 20th locomotive. Notice that it has been converted from Stevenson valve gear to Southern valve gear.

Locomotive List

Patrick Fahey of the Waushakum Live Steamers provided scans of Bill's locomotive list.

Bill Van Brocklin loco History Page 1.jpg
Bill Van Brocklin loco History Page 2.jpg
Bill Van Brocklin loco History Page 3.jpg
  • No. 2 - The cover photo of the July-August 1950 edition of The Live Steamer features a detailed view of the well known 3/4 inch scale Boston & Maine Atlantic type locomotive built by William (Bill) Van Brocklin Jr of Roslindale, Mass., and it is shown with the builder at the 1949 N.E.L.S. annual Live Steam Meet at Danvers.

    No. 2 - The cover photo of the July-August 1950 edition of The Live Steamer features a detailed view of the well known 3/4 inch scale Boston & Maine Atlantic type locomotive built by William (Bill) Van Brocklin Jr of Roslindale, Mass., and it is shown with the builder at the 1949 N.E.L.S. annual Live Steam Meet at Danvers.

  • No. 5 - Simplun by Bill Van Brocklin. From The North American Live Steamer, Volume 1, Number 7, 1956.

    No. 5 - Simplun by Bill Van Brocklin. From The North American Live Steamer, Volume 1, Number 7, 1956.

  • No. 8 - Bill Van Brocklin at Carl Purinton's track at Boxford Mass., about 1960.

    No. 8 - Bill Van Brocklin at Carl Purinton's track at Boxford Mass., about 1960.

  • No. 11 - Bill Van Brocklin with his 1800 era 4-4-0 which he named "Fire Queen."

    No. 11 - Bill Van Brocklin with his 1800 era 4-4-0 which he named "Fire Queen."

  • No. 12 - Light 4-6-0 built by Bill Van Brocklin, 1971-1972. Keith Wood, Montreal PQ, owner as of 2016.

    No. 12 - Light 4-6-0 built by Bill Van Brocklin, 1971-1972. Keith Wood, Montreal PQ, owner as of 2016.

  • No. 15 - Bill Van Brocklin Light 4-6-0 No. 15 in 3/4 inch scale. Photo by Pat Fahey, 1985, Holliston, MA track.

    No. 15 - Bill Van Brocklin Light 4-6-0 No. 15 in 3/4 inch scale. Photo by Pat Fahey, 1985, Holliston, MA track.

  • No. 16 - In 1975, Bill Van Brocklin brought his 4-6-0 ten wheeler to the meet at Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad. Here it reposes on the 3-1/2 inch gauge track. This engine has Baker valve gear. Photo by Bob Hornsby.

    No. 16 - In 1975, Bill Van Brocklin brought his 4-6-0 ten wheeler to the meet at Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt Railroad. Here it reposes on the 3-1/2 inch gauge track. This engine has Baker valve gear. Photo by Bob Hornsby.

  • No. 17 - This very dark photo was published as part of a classified on the Discover Live Steam webpage. Has an axle and duplex pump with injector. Copper tender and boiler, piston valves, Baker gear.

    No. 17 - This very dark photo was published as part of a classified on the Discover Live Steam webpage. Has an axle and duplex pump with injector. Copper tender and boiler, piston valves, Baker gear.

  • No. 18 - Heavy 4-6-0 model from Van Brocklin, New York Central #718. As of 2013 owned by Bernie Grow, Montreal Live Steamers. Once owned by Pat Fahey. Stephenson valve gear, fake piston valves. Bernie reported in 2013 on the Chaski forum that loco is still running fine.

    No. 18 - Heavy 4-6-0 model from Van Brocklin, New York Central #718. As of 2013 owned by Bernie Grow, Montreal Live Steamers. Once owned by Pat Fahey. Stephenson valve gear, fake piston valves. Bernie reported in 2013 on the Chaski forum that loco is still running fine.

  • No. 19 - Photo taken by Pat Fahey at Holliston MA track, circa 1985. Van Brocklin #15 in the front, #19 behind. No. 19 began life as a slip-eccentric, Stephenson gear 4-4-2, Van Brocklin rebuilt it into a 4-6-0 with Walschaerts gear in 1984.

    No. 19 - Photo taken by Pat Fahey at Holliston MA track, circa 1985. Van Brocklin #15 in the front, #19 behind. No. 19 began life as a slip-eccentric, Stephenson gear 4-4-2, Van Brocklin rebuilt it into a 4-6-0 with Walschaerts gear in 1984.

  • No. 28 - With Bill Van Brocklin's new 4-4-0 on the turntable, the guys look on. Charlie Purinton, George Diamond, Bill Van Brocklin and Cap Purinton. August 22, 1987 meet at Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by Bob Hornsby.

    No. 28 - With Bill Van Brocklin's new 4-4-0 on the turntable, the guys look on. Charlie Purinton, George Diamond, Bill Van Brocklin and Cap Purinton. August 22, 1987 meet at Carl Purinton's Boxford Outer Belt track. Photo by Bob Hornsby.

  • No. 20 - The second "FireQueen", a 4-8-0 locomotive built by Van Brocklin, which is a departure from his other designs: Camelback, wheel arrangement, inclined cylinders.

    No. 20 - The second "FireQueen", a 4-8-0 locomotive built by Van Brocklin, which is a departure from his other designs: Camelback, wheel arrangement, inclined cylinders.

  • No. 31 - Bill Van Brocklin's 31st locomotive. Shot taken at Waushakum on 26 June 2016, and placed on the ¾” Facebook page by Mike Boucher. Baker valve gear, 5 ¼” boiler. Owned by Joe Cordelle of Waushakum LS, MA as of 2016. According to Pat Fahey’s roster, this one used the wheels and frames of Van Brocklin’s 4-4-2 #22, which had been completed in 1982.

    No. 31 - Bill Van Brocklin's 31st locomotive. Shot taken at Waushakum on 26 June 2016, and placed on the ¾” Facebook page by Mike Boucher. Baker valve gear, 5 ¼” boiler. Owned by Joe Cordelle of Waushakum LS, MA as of 2016. According to Pat Fahey’s roster, this one used the wheels and frames of Van Brocklin’s 4-4-2 #22, which had been completed in 1982.

Steam Pump

One of Bill Van Brocklin's steam pumps was listed on eBay in December 2013. Here is the description, along with photos.

This little pump will scale properly in both 1" or a smaller 1.5" scale engine. Steam bore is 13/16" and water bore is 1/2". Stroke is approximately 1-1/8".
  • VanBrocklin SteamPumpt ebay 01.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPumpt ebay 02.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPumpt ebay 03.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPumpt ebay 04.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPumpt ebay 05.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPumpt ebay 06.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPump ebay 07.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPump ebay 08.JPG
  • VanBrocklin SteamPump ebay 09.JPG
  • Advertisement found in The North American Live Steamer, March 1956

    Advertisement found in The North American Live Steamer, March 1956

  • Advertisement found in The North American Live Steamer, 1957

    Advertisement found in The North American Live Steamer, 1957

  • Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 102, photo by Mike Massee

    Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 102, photo by Mike Massee

  • Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 102

    Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 102

  • Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 102

    Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 102

  • Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 26. Photo by Mr Belletire.

    Van Brocklin-built pump, serial number 26. Photo by Mr Belletire.

Coles Feedback

From the Coles Power Models 25h Anniversary Catalog:

Bill Van Brocklin, Jr., of Mass., writes: October, 1952:
Very pleased with last order. I tried the whistle on "Jimper", my 3.5 inch gauge Atlantic, and it worked swell although high pitched loike an English one. This was at Carl Purinton's at Marblehead. All the boys like it. The "Truscale" valve is very well made.

Bibliography

External Links

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