Garden Railway Forum

What a well mannered machine Dave, I'd be well chuffed if I were you, pun intended.

Sorry I wrestled that closely guarded secret out of you, that is big cylinder bore, larger than it looks. Is there a specific reason for choosing 13/16 bore?

This has been a really inspiring build dave, and thanks for taking the time to explain all the complex bits. Looking forward to more running in footage!

Best,

Tom

Well done Dave, those huge oscillating cylinders moving at a steady pace don't look that bad compared to a Mamod running at a speed of light.

Coal firing video next please.

superb loco !

Thanks very much lads. I am well chuffed

Tom the blacksmith wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:28 pm Sorry I wrestled that closely guarded secret out of you, that is big cylinder bore, larger than it looks. Is there a specific reason for choosing 13/16 bore?

Big cylinders are the secret to slow running Tom

tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Wed Nov 27, 2019 9:36 pm Well done Dave, those huge oscillating cylinders moving at a steady pace don't look that bad compared to a Mamod running at a speed of light.

I agree that they don't look that bad either Tom

I am very impressed with this engine. Your usual excellent fit-and-finish and smooth running are extra-evident in this machine. At first I was astonished that you chose to use oscillating cylinders, but I have to admit I love the sinuous look this engine has as it moves along. It reminds me of an oscillating ship's engine I saw running on air at the Transportation museum in Lucerne.

I am curious about why you chose to have the exhaust right at the top of the chimney rather than employing a blast-pipe to draw the fire.

Thank you Keith. I wanted to build another large ossy loco. I put the exhaust so high as I was concerned that any blast would pull the gas flames out. I am at the moment trying a different and lower outlet

Had a lovely summertime run yesterday. I'm learning to drive the loco.

The safety valve has been fitted with a stronger spring to raise the pressure to the intended 40 PSI.

The exhaust outlet has been changed to a short piece of 1/4" tube exiting at the very bottom of the funnel

A heavy hand on the blower - opening it too much pulls the fire out, but the exhaust does not. The blower makes the steam, the gas is on full all the time. It's a prolific steamer and can match the big cylinders and the pumping. The saddle tank though insulated from the boiler barrel gets nice and warm - feedwater heating is good

The left side boiler clack valve is dodgy, so when I open the bypass I can get quite a surprise with shooting hot water, so I leave it pumping. I had thought one pump would maintain the boiler level, but actually, it pumps more. So here we are full boiler boiling some of the water off.

Great loco Dave and she is a stunner.

Thank you Rod!

Had a great run yesterday after making a few improvements

The burner was susceptible to having the fire sucked-out by the blower making for lots of relighting so I increased the area of the burner holes by 25% (1.6 to 1.8mm dia). But, that made for a surprising need for an increase in jet size. It had been using a 0.15 mm jet, but my largest is 0.23 mm and that wasn't big enough, so I made my own at 0.3mm and it's good, I only had to light the burner once for a 50-minute burn

On the previous run when starting on the grade a large steam leak was found at the port faces, so I stiffened-up the trunnion springs using spacers, and this appears to have done the trick.


The exhaust has been enhanced with a shorty open exhaust tip

You wouldn't hear any complaints from me if you wanted to post a few more videos of that locomotive.

Here you go Keith Running with exhaust nozzle #3 and with the wagon cover over the gas cylinder to keep the hot sun off it - 40 deg C max



The other day I tried the original "coal firing" exhaust nozzle in the loco. It worked fine but makes a lot of noise rustling the flames, much like the blower does. It made plenty of steam when running without the blower, and didn't pull out the fire. The exhaust note is the quietest of all nozzles and there is no exhaust plume, as is the case with #3 when the blower is on, There was no plume even when the burner was off, coasting back up the line on the residual steam

#3 Exhaust enhancer exits exactly at the base of the chimney and doesn't make steam. #1 is the correct height and size to make steam

So when are you going to run it on coal?

Had a great run this morning. The loco trots up the tight return loop like a welsh pony, this is normally difficult for a non-geared loco
-

It looks like a ride on loco in that pic.

So when you going to coal fire it!?

Great photo Dave, I love it.
The line there looks a brilliant spot for more photos...

Here's the video clip that goes with the still. I put these on my fb story to give my non-steamie mates a wink

FWLR wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 10:03 am Great photo Dave, I love it.
The line there looks a brilliant spot for more photos...

Thanks Rod! It's a great spot for viewing returning trains:

The display case was delivered this morning. After a 4 year build a display case is a must! I've used this company many times over many years, this is the 7th one I've had. They do a really good job. I always go for the same style
http://www.displaycase.co.nz/

Test fitting. Need a longer piece of track
The intended home
Happy customer

That is a great display case Dave, no frame to get in the way of the view. Very clean and crisp looking.
Grant.