Change in gauge

When I was a small fellow in the mid to late 1970's I had a healthy obsession with steam locomotives. I remember my family taking me to the local fair and I would spend hours standing at the fence that housed one old steam relic in particular.....Southern 154. I remember thinking even then, that this engine was in horrible shape and needed rescuing. I would tell my family that I was going to buy this engine and restore it one day, to which they just replied, "o.k. honey".
Fast forward to 2008 and most of my adult has been spent around any steam engine I could get close to. Part of my income was made maintaining a 1925 Baldwin steam engine that operates on a tourist train on weekends. I spent my time learning bit by bit, every little part that makes these engines tick, and how to keep them running. I would immerse myself completely in overhauling every appliance, part and piece. Along the way, I became a proficient machinist, welder and fabricator.
In the middle of 2008 I became aware that engine 154 may be available for purchase, so I acted as a facilitator and went back and forth between buyer, seller, park manager,  and everyone else involved. By the end of August the engine was moved from the park, and safely stored in the shop in which the work would happen.
The work progressed slowly but steadily until on July 3rd 2010, Southern 154 made her first public move under steam since 1952.
After getting the engine completed and turning it over to the new owner, I decided that I had tired of all the politics involved in a steam operation. I had fulfilled half of what I said I would do by restoring 154, so it occurred to me, since I didn't have the resources to purchase the full sized engine, I would construct a 1/8th scale exact working replica.
So begins the story of the construction of the 1-1/2inch to the foot scale replica of the 1890 built engine Southern 154.
Stay tuned for the first construction photos and articles......