Coal-fired Billy

bobbairg1 · Post by **bobbairg1** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:14 pm

Righto, thought I would start a thread for the build of a coal-fired Roundhouse Billy, partly to keep a record for myself and also to get any useful feedback as I go along!

I'm actually two weeks into the project, having ordered a Riverdale 'Elke' boiler kit and ordered the bits from Roundhouse for the Billy including chassis, body kit and a tender kit (the Billy doesnt have a tender as standard but figured I would need somewhere for the coal...)

The chassis is surprisingly easy to assemble, the Roundhouse kit is very good and well machined. Need to sort the timing then I'm ready to test on air.

Click to see full size image

MDLR · Post by **MDLR** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:33 pm

Welcome - that looks fine! You would be advised to run it for quite a while on air if you can.................................

Pendo Pilot · Post by **Pendo Pilot** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 10:59 pm

Is there much better than seeing a brand new steamer chassis! Good luck with the project, I look forward to seeing it progress. It looks good so far.

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:05 pm

MDLR:57914 wrote:Welcome - that looks fine! You would be advised to run it for quite a while on air if you can.................................

Indeed, but with sufficient lubrication to the cylinders and valves at all times.

I recently spent a considerable time sorting out the scored valves and faces on the cylinders of a loco that had proudly been run on air with no lubrication.

Sir haydn · Post by **Sir haydn** » Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:43 pm

I have an in-line lubricator in my air line which has a regulator to make sure a nice stream of oil is taken in with the air.

Mr ACME · Post by **Mr ACME** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 11:48 am

MDLR:57914 wrote:Welcome - that looks fine! You would be advised to run it for quite a while on air if you can.................................

Where would you suggest a source for plentiful amounts of hot air, Brian?

:D :D :D :D

tom_tom_go · Post by **tom_tom_go** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 1:30 pm

Looks great and no shiny black gloss chassis, yay!

Cheers,

Tom
RWLR

James-Buzz · Post by **James-Buzz** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 3:41 pm

Mr ACME:57924 wrote:
MDLR:57914 wrote:Welcome - that looks fine! You would be advised to run it for quite a while on air if you can.................................
Where would you suggest a source for plentiful amounts of hot air, Brian?

:D :D :D :D

Take it down to Westminster, apparently the place is full of it !!

Mr ACME · Post by **Mr ACME** » Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:39 pm

James-Buzz:57930 wrote:
Mr ACME:57924 wrote:
MDLR:57914 wrote:Welcome - that looks fine! You would be advised to run it for quite a while on air if you can.................................
Where would you suggest a source for plentiful amounts of hot air, Brian?

:D :D :D :D
Take it down to Westminster, apparently the place is full of it !! :P

Errmm I was thinking more of somewhere in Derbyshire.

bobbairg1 · Post by **bobbairg1** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:02 pm

Click to see full size image

Somewhere to put the coal!

taliesin · Post by **taliesin** » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:48 am

Hi, Have you got your boiler kit yet? Rob

bobbairg1 · Post by **bobbairg1** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:29 pm

Not yet, boiler is due end of next month. I have now run the chassis on air and it goes well forwards and backwards.

Also made some progress with painting the tender although it has taken a while as it needs a calm day outside for the airbrush. I replaced the slot-headed screws on the end of the tender with hex-headed ones and they look a lot better.

Will post some more piccies soon!

taliesin · Post by **taliesin** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 7:01 pm

I got my boiler kit about three weeks ago, i have done all the required chassis and body modifications now. i hope to have my bodywork back from my preferred Painter in about a week, then for the final assembly, cheers Rob

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 10:03 pm

Sorry about the thread "bump", but I would like to see how this turned out!

taliesin · Post by **taliesin** » Sat Apr 07, 2012 2:53 pm

well in regards to my one it's worked out really well, the build has been featured in Garden Rail, issues 211 and 212. It was on Riverdale's stand at the recent 16mm AGM. I understand that they have sold all production through to the next AGM and have a reserve list as well. I find the engine to be smooth, reliable and performs how Riverdale claim. I would happily recommend it to anyone unsure about trying coal firing, cheers, Rob

bobbairg1 · Post by **bobbairg1** » Fri May 25, 2012 8:11 pm

Keith - Not finished yet but getting there! I have painted the boiler barrel and the smokebox, I had to take some material off the RH smokebox for the boiler barrel to fit. I have also painted the rear of the boiler and the footplate/steps. I am just fitting it all together now which takes time as the radio control servos and linkages have to be sorted which is a bit fiddly. Will post some video when I steam it which I hope will be soon.

Taliesin - I saw your loco at the AGM, very fine it is too. The paint job is superb.

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Sat May 26, 2012 2:05 am

Excellent. I was hoping we'd hear more about this project. Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

pauly · Post by **pauly** » Sat May 26, 2012 2:21 am

Keith S:71218 wrote:Excellent. I was hoping we'd hear more about this project. Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

thinking about upgrading to coal-firing perhaps Keith?

would make your firing seessions more interesting, especially wit your limited roster.

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Sun May 27, 2012 6:37 pm

It would make the engine more interesting to run, even on rollers or something. I can't afford it, though. Maybe someday I'll work up the nerve to try building my own boiler. Coal firing a small engine looks like a lot of fun.

bobbairg1 · Post by **bobbairg1** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:00 pm

First steam test = success!

http://youtu.be/sLn8d7RxRD8

No leaks. Blower is superb, it raises steam very quickly. Some tweaking to do on the R/C fittings then the body to solder up and finish/paint.

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