weighing down locomotives

[DLRdan]

Think I may have wires crossed, I thought that valve timing was the position during the cycle that the valve moved and that the position of the valve on the valve face was the only thing governed by moving the valve rod.

I see what you were saying now. Yes, it is very easy to muck up the valve events by turning the valve rod. Either way it won't effect grip.

[GTB]

Think I may have wires crossed, I thought that valve timing was the position during the cycle that the valve moved

Yes, valve timing is all about the point in the cylinder stroke that the valve opens a port.

Moving the valve on the spindle makes one port open early and the other open late, relative to the crank pin, as you are effectively changing the length of the valve rod.

I've built three sets of valve gear now and timed three more, it still takes me a while to get it straight in my head before I set up a loco.....

Regards,
Graeme

[Joe]

Well thanks for all the advice, after running her again on far less oily trackwork it would appear, she ran much better i think i will attach a small weight to the front buffer beam to even the weight distribution out as suggested but for a manual controlled loco she pulled a decent amount even on steep gradients so ive definitely learnt to take more time cleaning the track!