Caroll Country Narrow Gauge Railroad
The North American Live Steamer, Volume 1 Number 5, 1956
Enclosed herewith is a rather poor (but unfortunately, the only one at present) photograph of my Sunnybrook Central RR No. 8, a 4-4-0 locomotive in 3-inches equals 1-inch scale of a 3-foot narrow gauge prototype. A few of the details of interest to the boys are:
- Gauge - 9-inches
- Boiler Working Pressure - 100 pounds
- Firebox - 9 inches by 21 inches (grate area)
- Flues - 1 inch diameter, 32 of them
- Diameter of Boiler - 12 inches
- Steam Brakes
- Cylinders - Bore 2-1/4 inches, Stroke 4 inches
- Diameter of Drivers - 12 inches
- Weight - unknown (but sure heavy).
This engine was built in Norfolk, Va in 1938 and we have done a lot of rebuilding on the old gal until she is in fine shape except for her valves which are next on the list. She has unbalanced "D" valves and the worst feature is a complete lack of lap on both of them resulting in back-pressure and excessive steam use, also lubrication trouble.
As our operating location is a hillside switchback set-up on an almost continuous 3% to 4% grade, you can imagine the results with bad valves.
We are just getting started with the track layout and have presently about 450-ft. with another 700-ft. graded and ready for rail in the spring. We are using, 1 x 1/2 x 1/8 inch channel, set on edge and fastended to the ties by wood screws through drilled holes in the bottom flange.
Although it is all my equipment, the Sunnybrook Central RR would not have been in operation yet without the able assistance and sweat of several interested members of the Baltimore Society of Model Engineers, the local O-HO gauge club.
Very best to The North American Live Steamer and call for what little assistance I can give, at any time.
- Henry D. Grant
- 3811 Canterbury Rd
- Baltimore, MD
Charles F. Buschman wrote an article in May 1966 about his part ownership in the Carol Country Narrow Gauge Railroad. He and Henry D. Grant built the railroad together.