https://gardenrails.org/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=10686
As noted in the original post the loco was built with a Roundhouse No. 1 boiler which forced the dome to be further back than it should be to represent the prototype. The result has bugged me ever since.
So..........
A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to do something about it and a new boiler was built with the bush for the dome in the right place.
Fabricating the bits for a gas fired boiler and silver brazing it together only takes a couple of days and the first photo shows the new boiler getting it's hydraulic test. As is often the case, a joint of a test fitting leaked, but the boiler shell itself was leak free. A new fibre washer and the boiler passed the test by holding pressure for the required time.
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While the loco was in pieces for the new boiler to be fitted, the opportunity was taken to sort out a couple of other issues that were also bugging me and then the new parts went through the paint shop before final assembly.
The next couple of photos show the final result sitting in the afternoon sun on the track a couple of days ago.
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- Borun-z3.jpg (150.04 KiB) Viewed 3335 times
It was a nice day for a steamup, so a train was assembled and the loco was fired up for a test run out on the branch. The next photo shows the train waiting in the yard. As usual, the branchline mixed has more passengers in the moo truck than in the van. The presence of a domestic water tank wagon in the train suggests that a station water supply tank somewhere up the line requires a refill.
- Borun-z5.jpg (214.32 KiB) Viewed 3335 times
Well that was the plan.
The mixed didn't leave the yard, as the safety valve on the loco decided this was a good time to fail and it stuck open. The safety valve on this loco was working OK the last time it ran, but I had already had major problems with two similar safety valves on the Bagnall 2-6-2. It was time to fit a more reliable safety valve.
The issues with the Bagnall were cured by fitting Accucraft G1 semi-pop valves and I knew that I'd have a long wait for one to arrive through our currently very congested postal system. I was fairly sure I had two stashed for another project and when I looked there were actually three. For once I had planned ahead and bought a spare for this loco at the last GSSU.
The branch line mixed finally left on it's run behind the timber co's. Hunslet, seen here heading north and running very late.
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By the time I'd made up an adaptor to fit the Accucraft safety valve to a Roundhouse size threaded bush, it was too late to try again, so the test run was postponed to the next morning. Predictably the sun was out as I set out the train and started to steam the loco, but by the time the pressure had built up the sun had disappeared. The next photo shows the branchline mixed running north in the gloom of a Melbourne autumn. The new safety valve worked well and the new boiler steamed well, you have to win one now and again........
- Borun-z7.jpg (243.38 KiB) Viewed 3335 times
Regards,
Graeme
