Searching for parts for a Dacre

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:46 am

Finally managed to log back in after months of not being able to! Now I don't know if I am posting this in the right category! I have recently acquired a 'Dacre' and I purchased it as non running, mainly due to the fact there is obviously some parts missing! Also it hasn't been fired for about 10years! So my problem apart from getting the missing parts is trying to identify the boiler as it needs a pressure release valve just for starters. Mr F C decided that it isn't the usual Lady Ann boiler as the set up doesn't look right. We need really to be able to take it somewhere where we can just try various bits on it to get the right fit! Anyone know within striking distance of Essex which is a good model engineering shop??

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 11:58 am

Nice to see you again Mrs F. Interesting little engine you have there, in not convinced its a Dacre though. The chassis looks like an early Lady Anne example with the horrizontal rocker arms and the smokebox is very close to the Lady Anne too. Has the boiler got any marking on it ? If it is a roundhouse boiler there should be a plate on the back, if so a standard safety valve should fit. I cant see a regulator, is this missing also ?

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 12:42 pm

Could you post some more pictures please? Is it just the safety valve that is missing?

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 5:11 pm

Ok, I've forgotten how nice it is to share a problem! Yes adding more photos and have now investigated both ends of boiler! The front is stamped 50PSI there may be something before it but there is a fitting in the way! The back is stamped
MJC
11/94
There is no roundhouse plate. To answer a couple of questions yes I am pretty sure it is a Dacre as I also have the original plans with builders notes! It has got a regulator it sticks out the back of the boiler into the footplate. There is also some sort of missing valvewhich Mr F C assures me is to do with regulating the amount of water as in the Accucraft Mortimor we had. This sticks out of the side of the footplate and following the pipe goes into the boiler and off to the sight glass. We know it was also converted from meths to gas fired. Hopefully the photos will load up!

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 5:21 pm

Just noticed that the gas filler is broken too! The little nipple has snapped off!

also seem to have a 'spare' pipe underneath which appears to have cut off, Mr F C not worried about this thinks it's a left over from the meths/gas conversion!

It was obviously well used in its heyday and we think it got forgotten!

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 5:56 pm

If you're coming to Peterborough, you could put it on the Heritage stand and see what information comes your way.........................

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 7:27 pm

There's a thought Brian! Yes we are coming and we were thinking it would be the best place to find what we are looking for! I'm hoping that someone here might have an idea! If we knew who made the boiler at least we may have some chance! We have tried an old pressure relief valve I believe to be from a mamod (??) that we had but the thread on that is wrong and also it is too long!

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:08 pm

Thanks for the photos, very interesting. A few observations...

The cylinders look to be from Roundhouse. If the 1994 date on the boiler is accurate then it is a little surprising that the cylinders are of the older rectangular valve chest type as these went out of production around 1990.

The axles, wheels, cranks and valve gear all look to be from Roundhouse as well. In particular, the wheels and axles look to be of the current gauge-adjustable type. Replacement valve gear is still available I believe, should it be needed.

The lubricator looks to be a Roundhouse item too.

The fitting under the left-hand doorway is an Enots connector for pumping water in to the boiler, presumably via the clack valve on the right side of the boiler backhead.

It is hard to tell from the photos but that bush on the top of the boiler looks as if it would happily take a Roundhouse safety valve.

DLRdan · Post by **DLRdan** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:35 pm

The little pipe that comes out the bottom is the blow down for the sight glass, that's what the little valve is for. When bubbles appear in the sight glass, a quick flick of the valve will clear it. Its a feature normally found on larger scales. As Tony has said the fitting below the footplate is the water top up valve which then connects to the check valve. If the loco has indeed been sat for 10 years then I would carefully clean this part. It contains a small ball bearing that plugs the hole in the bottom, again more common in the larger scales. The one thing that's puzzling me more than anything is the gas burner which appears to be a length of copper pipe, I'd be interested to know if it works.

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:37 pm

Bless you Tony! That's really helpful ,thank you. I was curious to see the 'date' if that's what it is on the boiler because the plans are much earlier and also the person I purchased it from also confirmed that it would have been pre '94? Would the maker stamp a date on the boiler? We haven't got any Roundhouse parts now as we sold our Katie a couple of years ago, so we have nothing to try in there.

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 9:28 pm

Well chaps you have been very enlightening so far! Just got a telling off from Mr F C for describing the pipe wrongly. You are indeed correct and it goes from the emits valve by the left side doorway to what is indeed a check/clack valve across the other side of the footplate and into the boiler. The other little pipe with the end cut off underneath comes from the sight glass and through a little wheel which presumably if you could reach it but actually you'd burn your fingers off you would crack open when necessary! So yes I am sure you are all absolutely correct in your diagnosis!
I am trying hard not to do the 'little woman' act here and get to grips with it myself. Mr F C I'm afraid has reached the point where his eyesight is so bad now I have to describe it all to him. When we started this hobby he had enough vision to put together a Katie by kit even though he had to do it a couple of inches from his nose. Now that doesn't work. So bear with me I will catch up I promise. Taken a few more pics to help.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed Feb 11, 2015 9:30 pm

Very interesting loco will follow with interest, the boiler was probably built by a loco builder but it looks like a good job so shouldn't be an issue

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 11:27 am

Found it!! Fits perfectly so must be the right one. Just went back to where I purchased it and asked if they had any box of bits and there it was! 👍

steampig · Post by **steampig** » Wed Feb 18, 2015 5:31 pm

Mrs F Controller:108336 wrote:Found it!! Fits perfectly so must be the right one. Just went back to where I purchased it and asked if they had any box of bits and there it was! 👍

Would that be the SV?

If not, you could take an impression of the SV fitting thread in plasticene or similar, measure up and see if it matches a standard thread. That might be enough to finger what you need.

Don't drop plasticene in the boiler, though ...

Mrs F Controller · Post by **Mrs F Controller** » Thu Feb 19, 2015 8:14 am

[quote="steampig:108339"

Would that be the SV?

If not, you could take an impression of the SV fitting thread in plasticene or similar, measure up and see if it matches a standard thread. That might be enough to finger what you need.

Don't drop plasticene in the boiler, though ...[/quote]

Yes it was sorry didn't make that clear. Piece of luck wasn't it!

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Searching for parts for a Dacre

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