Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

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

Post by daan » Tue Jun 05, 2018 8:48 am

Black in combination with stainless steel and brass fittings look great. I really like the charm of this locomotive :thumbright:
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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by tom_tom_go » Tue Jun 12, 2018 2:04 pm

And here she is running at the weekend:

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:05 pm

I didn't take any photos or video myself so created this little video with what I got from other Kent 16mm NGM members:



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

Post by Andrew » Tue Jun 12, 2018 7:19 pm

Looking good! That Charles is a lovely engine, but looks positively toy-like compared to your loco.

Nice-looking line too, I like the canal boat - I shall enjoy watching the video when I have a little more time...

Cheers,

Andrew.

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

Post by Peter Butler » Tue Jun 12, 2018 11:07 pm

Lovely shots there, shame there isn't more to show. A great occasion no doubt and plenty of railway locos and stock to keep everyone very happy!
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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by bazzer42 » Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:44 am

Lovely station and oh for smellavision!

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

Post by Mitch stack » Wed Jun 13, 2018 11:34 am

Fantastic shots Tom!

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

Post by FWLR » Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:09 am

She is one smooth running loco Tom…you must be so proud to own her. :thumbright:

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:29 pm

A possible end to my condensate issue as described here:

https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 29&t=11264

Stay tuned for updates!

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Hint, it's a modifed exhaust tee with a valve so that water can drain under the loco rather than out the chimney and all over the bodywork...

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

Post by philipy » Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:44 pm

tom_tom_go wrote: Thu Nov 22, 2018 8:29 pm

Stay tuned for updates!

Oooh, you tease! :D
Philip

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Fri Nov 23, 2018 6:20 pm

In position and ready to drain:

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

Post by 11thHour » Sat Nov 24, 2018 11:07 am

Good solution, nicely executed. Keen to see results of steam tests

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Sun Dec 09, 2018 3:56 pm

First run with the modified exhaust and it's a success!


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

Post by invicta280 » Sun Dec 09, 2018 7:32 pm

Lovely controllable performance. The only thing we couldn't share was the aroma of coal fired steam!

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

Post by 11thHour » Sun Dec 09, 2018 11:28 pm

Do you leave the exhaust valve slightly cracked all the time? Tim

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

Post by artfull dodger » Sun Dec 09, 2018 11:58 pm

Beautiful and very realistic looking engine!! Its a total shame that he will not ship over to the USA/Canada. I think its time for someone over here to built the same kind of boiler set up for a couple of the Roundhouse chassis an sell them affordably. Most coal fired engines over here seem to be tempermental and for the super well endowed in the wallet to buy. For that matter, since the new Mgmt at Roundhouse is going places never gone before like the double Fairlie, maybe its time for Roundhouse to build something like this in house. Then us Yanks can get a coal fired engine that runs as well as these Riverdale boilered engines do. I would build a coal fired Billy if those boilers were available to me. Keep up the excellent modeling with Smokey Sophie! Mike
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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by FWLR » Mon Dec 10, 2018 7:11 am

Love it Tom....

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Mon Dec 10, 2018 9:58 am

11thHour wrote: Sun Dec 09, 2018 11:28 pm Do you leave the exhaust valve slightly cracked all the time? Tim
I had in mind to connect the valve to a servo or push rod to adjust it (valve closed when building the fire and then adjusted as the run went along) but I have found I don't need to do this as yet and just leave it open slightly.

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Mon Dec 10, 2018 9:59 am

Thanks for the comments guys, she is so easy to fire (If I can do it anyone can).

Coal firing at least with a Riverdale boiler is not a dark art...

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

Post by Keith S » Mon Dec 10, 2018 5:26 pm

It's an amazing example of what can be done by a skilled enthusiast at home with commercially available parts. The Roundhouse/Riverdale/SSP combination yeilds an impressive machine, but you deserve a lot of credit for the tasteful execution. Everything is very tidy. I especially like the cab fittings.

I'm curious about the "pop" safety valve you've got. All the ones I've seen make a raspy, impolite sound, but yours is almost silent.

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