Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

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tom_tom_go
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Post by tom_tom_go » Sun Mar 15, 2015 10:41 am

I can remember waiting for my boiler :)

The new manual damper lever Riverdale has released is a much better design (click on the 'NEW' tab on their site) although I have set mine up for R/C as with the rest of the loco.

I would like an Irene :twisted:

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Post by Chris Cairns » Mon Mar 16, 2015 1:33 pm

tom_tom_go wrote:I can remember waiting for my boiler
My waiting time has just got a lot shorter. Due to a cancellation my Elke order was next on the list so picking it up at the Peterborough show now. There goes my Garden Railway budget for this year!

Chris Cairns

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Post by tom_tom_go » Mon Mar 16, 2015 3:34 pm

Exciting stuff :D

Looking forward to seeing your build and If I can help let me know.

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Post by DKLR » Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:46 pm

tom_tom_go:84172 wrote:So back on topic after my thread was hijacked ;)

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I always thought I would only ever have just one live steamer, how wrong was I :)

Molly (the cat) looks annoyed because I sold the diesel chassis that was meant to have her name on it to help fund this coal fired project.
Looking forward to following this project, something I've thought about, but, like you, I only needed one steamer and bought nearly every enhancement for my Bertie. ha! I'm now awaiting delivery from Locoworks of my new Lady Anne. I see you have an Acucraft coupling on the front of yours, is that the Swiftsixteen one?
When in doubt, brew up.
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Post by tom_tom_go » Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:57 pm

DKLR:109437 wrote: I see you have an Acucraft coupling on the front of yours, is that the Swiftsixteen one?
I'll take that as a compliment as my attempt to modify the Accucraft version looks like the SwiftSixteen one ;)

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Post by DKLR » Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:28 pm

tom_tom_go:109600 wrote:
DKLR:109437 wrote: I see you have an Acucraft coupling on the front of yours, is that the Swiftsixteen one?
I'll take that as a compliment as my attempt to modify the Accucraft version looks like the SwiftSixteen one ;)
Compliment duly earned, looks good. I'm just starting to experiment with chopper couplings to avoid fiddling with chains when my Lady Anne arrives.

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Post by tom_tom_go » Sun Dec 18, 2016 8:59 pm

Narrow Planet had a discount on their site a while back so I ordered a set of name and works plates for my Riverdale loco.

Test fitting this evening:

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The works plate is brass and the name plate is nickel silver. I thought the works plate was going to be nickel as well, however, I like the fact they are two different colours now I have seen them on the loco (below photo shows the difference brass/nickel)

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Post by dizzysteamer » Sat Jan 14, 2017 2:01 am

What a lovely thread well done indeed an inspiration for both myself and my partner :D

dizzysteamer :)
Amateur engineer,  frustrated would be locomotive driver😊

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Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Jan 21, 2017 4:56 pm

Glad you enjoyed reading about the loco dizzy. It is certainly cheaper to build one yourself if you have the time...

I am finally happy with the whistle and pipe work so did a short video while running in the cold (excuse the quality, as it was filmed on my phone):



You cannot beat the smell of a coal fired engine, I love it!

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Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Jan 21, 2017 5:09 pm

Chuff chuff chuff :)

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Post by Big Jim » Sat Jan 21, 2017 7:20 pm

Very nice, very atmospheric.

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Sylvian Tennant
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Post by Sylvian Tennant » Tue Jan 31, 2017 7:15 am

She's lovely :)

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Post by tom_tom_go » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:46 pm

Thanks for the comments, she is finally coming together.

The name/works plates were a bit too shiny given the appearance of the loco so I chemically blacken them slightly and now they fit in just right:

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You will also notice the cut down running boards with mechanical lubricator and leaf spring detail. As I cut down the front buffer beam on my locos Locoworks sold me only part of the running boards I needed (cheaper as well, which is nice).

Just need to finish fitting the coupler to the rear buffer beam then get both weathered for it to be finished enough for her to earn her keep on the railway.

If the Lady Anne slomo fits and given by the photos on SSP's website I don't see why it would not then I will be fitting one of these as well.

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Post by Big Jim » Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:56 pm

That looks smart, that does.
I do like the cut down buffer beam at the front.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!

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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale coal fire build

Post by tom_tom_go » Thu Aug 17, 2017 11:00 pm

A SSP Slomo is on the way for this loco which I think will help with her running on my line as I do not have a continuous circuit of track. I have already fitted a smaller exhaust nozzle as to not loose the draft as the loco will be running at a realistic slower speed with the slomo. This should result in less water usage and an increased run time.

I have a WeeBee safety valve to try out on the loco as well from http://thetraindepartment.com which again should result in less water usage as the RH safety valves blow off for a while even after pressure is lowered.

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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by tom_tom_go » Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:41 pm

Both the Slomo and the safety valve got held up in customs hence the delay (and a nice charge on top, thanks!)

Here is the valve fitted this evening running on coal:



The Slomo is yet to arrive so will post a video of it running once fitted.

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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by Big Jim » Thu Sep 21, 2017 10:58 pm

I like it!
Very similar to the Archangel Flatulent safety valve of old.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!

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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Oct 28, 2017 6:01 pm

So here we are finally fitted with a SSP Slomo (no modifications were required to the loco despite it having a coal fired boiler):

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And here it is in action!


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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by markoteal » Sat Oct 28, 2017 6:52 pm

Nice and slow again - amazing considering its a coal fired 'beast'
Where did I put that uncoupler?

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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by DG » Sun Oct 29, 2017 6:22 am

Wow that is very impressive Tom. Such control at those slow speeds, fantastic.

Thanks

Dave

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