Scaling Dimensions from photographs

Discussion in 'Tutorials' started by Ruston92, May 15, 2016.

  1. Ruston92

    Ruston92 Full Member

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    Hello Folks.
    I am wanting to get some dimensions for a locomotive, I cannot seem to get hold of any works drawings, but there are a few photos about of it.
    Is anyone a whizz here on scaling dimensions from photographs who would be willing to give me a hand?
    Cheers,
    Pete
     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Hi Pete,

    What locomotive is it ?
     
  3. Ruston92

    Ruston92 Full Member

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    RY Pickering No.3 Enterprise. Its rotting away at Tanfield Railway in Gateshead.

    Its a beautifully proportioned loco, which I want to build in 3 1/2" gauge eventually. But I need some dimensions to work from. My only known size is the wheel diameter is 3'.

    http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7213/7102328021_c840757337.jpg
     
  4. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    I suppose a visit is not possible ?
     
  5. Ruston92

    Ruston92 Full Member

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    Not a the moment unfortunately :(
     
  6. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    :scratchchin:

    Tell you what. I'll give you a hand to research it. There must be some where with some record drawings. It looks like an interesting subject.

    I'll have a bash looking myself through the week when I'm in my hotel room at night. If I can find anything, I'll give you a shout. There will be a record somewhere.

    The search is on.

    Toto
     
  7. Ruston92

    Ruston92 Full Member

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    Cheers Toto.

    I have tried the NRM, they pointed me in the direction of Tyne & Wear Museums. So I emailed them, but that was a few weeks ago and I have heard nothing back :/
     
  8. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    I'm thinking of looking to see where they were possibly employed in private industry and taking it from there. It could be interesting what that could throw up.

    A little research on the net may provide a lead. Maybe even some old books from the right source may be worth it.

    Let's see what it can turn up.

    Cheers

    Toto
     
  9. ed

    ed Full Member

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  10. Ruston92

    Ruston92 Full Member

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    Hi Ed. I had emailed them at the start of my search, but unfortunately they have very few RW Hawthorn artifacts.

    They had suggested that I speak to the Tyne & Wear Museums as they may have more info. But they have not yet got back to me after 3 weeks... Sigh. I may end up giving them a call to see if I can find the correct person to speak to.

    Cheers,

    Pete
     
  11. gormo

    gormo Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Pete,

    I believe there is software that can accurately measure objects within photographs, however I would imagine a reasonable learning curve and cost.

    http://www.click:tophat:Gormo
     
  12. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Give Network Rail Archive a shot :

    http://www.networkrail.co.uk/archive.aspx or https://www.networkrail.co.uk/VirtualArchive/AskTheArchivist/

    If they don't have anything available, they may send you in the right direction.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  13. 60019Bittern

    60019Bittern Full Member

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    Had a bit of a cruise around the web came up with the following from several sources.

    Built by: Hawthorn Leslie & Co.
    Build Date: 1884.
    Construction No.: 2009.
    Wheel Dia.: 36 inches.
    Cylinder Size: 12 x 18 inches.

    R. Y. Pickering No. 293 'Enterprise'.

    Have also found a few pics, one of which is a fairly good square on side view, which you may be able to work out close enough measurements. I don't know what the copyright is on the pics so if you send me a PM I will send them off to you rather than to post them here and drop the forum into the tooty.
     
  14. pertyowl

    pertyowl Full Member

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    Hi Pete,Have you had any luck yet with obtaining the drawing you are looking for?One way to do this is by importing the photo you mentioned earlier into a CAD program and then trace the outline of the loco parts that have known dimensions.Then you measure the known dimension on the drawing in the same units as the known dimension.Divide the measured dimension into the known dimension and the number obtained will give you a scale factor.Then you can get the dimensions of other parts that has been traced.One thing to remember that parts that are further back in the picture will not be a true dimension because of parallelaxeffect,I know this is a bit long winded description of the process but at the moment I do not have access to my computerat present to load the files to illustrate the process described.I have tried this and will forward the drawing tomorrow that I have experimented with some 7 years ago.Regards,RogerPertyowl
     
  15. pertyowl

    pertyowl Full Member

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    Hi Pete,Attached is a copy of the drawing I mentioned in my last post.Hope the attachment works.Roger

    Attached files [​IMG]
     

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