RWLR - Robin Wood Light Railway

[GTB]

How loose should the exhaust pipes be as they move about freely including being able to be moved in and out of the cylinders?

The exhaust pipes are threaded into the steam chest on current production. They'll rotate fairly easily, but the in/out movement should be small, as the thread is fairly fine. If the pipe can move in and out of the steam chest without being rotated, the thread has probably been stripped.

If the thread is badly damaged you will hear and see a steam leak when the throttle is opened. Unfortunately replacing the exhaust pipes requires removing the cylinders.

if Tony W is reading this, he'll likely know if the older cylinders fitted to this loco have the same arrangement as current ones.

Regards,
Graeme

[tom_tom_go]

Running without the smokebox shows no steam leaks from the exhaust pipes and the cylinders.

I think the reason why the chuffer wobbles about is the exhaust pipes are not level so the chuffer is only firmly slotting down onto one pipe.

[FWLR]

I might have another look at the chuffer as it's not meant to be loose according to Mr Bird:

Thanks Tom, I think even I can check and do that….

[GTB]

Running without the smokebox shows no steam leaks from the exhaust pipes and the cylinders.

I think the reason why the chuffer wobbles about is the exhaust pipes are not level so the chuffer is only firmly slotting down onto one pipe.

No leaks is always a good thing......

Looking at the photo it appears that the exhaust pipe with the lower top is also low where it bends to enter the steam chest.

If it hasn't hardened with age too much, you should be able to reshape the lower part of that pipe so the top is level with the other one which might improve the way the chuffer sits.

Regards,
Graeme

[tom_tom_go]

I got the chuffer to sit firmly after adjusting as Graeme mentioned although to get it to be a secure fit I had to rotate the chuffer slightly once slotted into position.
Maybe this stops the exhaust pipes from moving around and puts them under a bit of tension? I have never had to play about with the slot type chuffer as on my Silver Lady it screws into the steam block.

Andrew has said I can take Russell to a Kent 16mm NGM steam up tomorrow so I will try and get some video of her running.

Meanwhile, I have started my test patch using SBR:

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This photo was taken 10 minutes after spraying the area with neat SBR. I did wipe the rails, not sure if you need to bother though?

If this goes well I will apply a second layer of coal dust to fill in the gaps.

[Peter Butler]

Although the blue colour looks alarming it is perfectly normal and will disappear in time. It may not be an issue where you are located but it is important to keep rain off the SBR until it dries. It is also easier to remove SBR from the track when wet but isn't difficult when it dries as it peels off easily.

[tom_tom_go]

Hi Peter,

I did read your advice before starting with SBR but as we are in high summer I did not bother covering it up.

This is what is looks like this morning:

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I am out today so I will see if it's hardened this evening, it will get cat tested as well by plonking one of them on it!

[Peter Butler]

Looking good Tom, I hope your cats appreciate your efforts!
If they do leave a little pressie for you it will wash off without causing any problems.

[tom_tom_go]

I hope it works out as I can continue to use real world materials but can set it all in place permantely like I use to do in OO gauge with PVA/washing up mix.

[tom_tom_go]

I had a good day running Russell, video to follow but a quick picture of her before the first run of the day:

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Things that need attention:

• Gas adjustment is not very fine when turned down low, it's either on or off. I will check the jet and the gas valve, it was suggested to use Vaseline once taken apart

• I think the regulator needs a service as even with it adjusted the loco wants to start off when put in forward/reverse even though the regulator is shut off

[tom_tom_go]

An enjoyable days running on the Ambercross Junction garden railway:

[Andrew]

Looks like fun Tom - nice to see Russell keeping such good company too!

A lovely line - I really like the Col Stephens style building...

Glad you're having fun with Russell, sorry she keeps throwing up extra problems! I wondered whether the regulator might be contributing to the RC problems - definitely beyond my abilities though...

Cheers,

Andrew.

[IanC]

Lovely video. Is the Ambercross Junction Railway a forum member? It would be good to see more of this railway.

Ian

[tom_tom_go]

Lovely video. Is the Ambercross Junction Railway a forum member? It would be good to see more of this railway.

Ian

I believe the owner has a Facebook page of the railway but I don't use FB so you would need to search for it.

Interestingly, he used Filcris for most of it and has had nothing but trouble particularly this year with the heat.

Depsite this it is a great line and the river with the pond make it very relaxing. My next garden must have some sort of water feature as I love the sound of trickeling water and hearing a loco working.

[tom_tom_go]

Glad you're having fun with Russell, sorry she keeps throwing up extra problems! I wondered whether the regulator might be contributing to the RC problems - definitely beyond my abilities though...

Cheers,

Andrew.

It's all good experience Andrew.

I cleaned the jet, gas valve (Vaseline worked well for lubrication) and the regulator this morning and it's made the world of difference. She was running at a nice pace on 20 PSI with far greater control.

Now we wait for the Slomo to arrive

[Andrew]

Wonderful, well done Tom!

No word re the Slomo, but I think Terry may be away now. I'll keep you posted...

Cheers,

Andrew.

[philipy]

My next garden must have some sort of water feature as I love the sound of trickeling water and hearing a loco working.

Tom,
There are loads of ready made garden water features available. My wife is a sucker for water and lights and we have them everywhere in the garden. Mostly, if they include buildings etc, they are smaller scale than really needed but if carefully placed and not right next to a proper scale station etc, the eye just accepts them. The three level cascade in the picture, next to the cottage, looks fine because rocks can be any scale and the water can be heard from about 4 or 5 metres away ( actually, even further than that its noticeably quiet when off ).

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[tom_tom_go]

Thanks Phil, is that water feature self-contained or requires a water supply from the mains?

On the SBR front, I like it but the test patch I have done has dried very glossy which is fine for oily/coal areas but it will look crap with ballast sparkling away on the mainline.

Do I need to dilute it or add washing up liquid?

[philipy]

Tom, The water feature is self contained. I've sunk the reservoir in the ground by about 4inches in the photo. If you do a google for Kelkay, you'll get the manufacturers site ( and local stockists - we got the one in the picture from a local garden centre at an end of summer discount, a couple of years ago). The prices on Kelkay are a lot higher than you can get stuff for although they aren't cheap, to be honest. Also, some are solar powered and some are mains with a 12v transformer.

As for SBR, I use it neat, as does Peter I believe. Never had a particular problem with a glossy finish although I think there is a sort of eggshell effect to start with, but it soon goes with weathering. I just popped down and looked at the ballast around my signal, from a couple of weeks ago, and there is no sign of shiny.

[Peter Butler]

Thanks Phil, is that water feature self-contained or requires a water supply from the mains?

On the SBR front, I like it but the test patch I have done has dried very glossy which is fine for oily/coal areas but it will look crap with ballast sparkling away on the mainline.

Do I need to dilute it or add washing up liquid?

A direct feed from mains water supply would be an offence and taken very seriously by your Local Water Authority. Apart from that your water bills would be astronomical. A recirculating system with sump and pump (preferably with an in-line filter) is the way to go so requires a power supply.
No need to worry about the slight sheen on your SBR, it will soon wear away.