Merlin Leek and Manifold

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steamgeorge
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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by steamgeorge » Sat Jun 15, 2019 7:29 pm

As promised we took the Merlin for a proper test at our local Reading Group garden railway meeting a couple of weeks ago and I'm pleased to say that it's performance exceeded our expectations.

The venue was Peter and Bruce Dawes superb West Cornwall Light Railway.

Raising steam in the new station area...

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In full flight (photo courtesy of Iain Buchanan)...

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So all the moving parts received oil and then the burner was lit. It's a little noisier than the Accucraft L&B and it's a relatively large boiler so it took a while to get up to working pressure. Once it did the safety valve opened at 40psi and there was a little condensate to clear with a couple of forwards and backwards runs and then I set off for a full lap. This is a relatively long railway , somewhere in the region of 300 feet per lap and all was well until just after the viaduct when the whole train derailed after tangling with some fast growing Thyme. As it took so long to re-rail the whole train I turned the gas off and it would not re-light while it was so hot. After 5 minutes I tried to re-light it again and this time it did and within a couple of minutes it was up to 30psi and ready to move again. It then ran for 3 or 4 faultless laps which was very pleasing. There is a little steam getting through the disc regulator even when closed so there may be a little work to do there but all in all a very successful outing. There were many kind comments directed it's way from the other group members attending too.


Cooling down in front of the tin mine....
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I have a couple of short video clips that I will upload in a few days

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tom_tom_go
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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Jun 15, 2019 8:18 pm

It's a great looking loco, looking forward to videos of her running.

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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by Soar Valley Light » Sat Jun 15, 2019 10:16 pm

Tom's right, that's a lovely machine! I look forward to seeing it develop.

It's a cracking railway too! I wouldn't mind seeing more of that as well.

Andrew
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"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"

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FWLR
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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by FWLR » Sun Jun 16, 2019 7:09 am

Hopefully Andrew we will be able to see more of that brilliant looking line and of course your exquisite looking Merlin, George...

She sure does look beautiful. I bet your are so proud to own her.

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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by steamgeorge » Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:02 am

FWLR wrote: ↑Sun Jun 16, 2019 7:09 am Hopefully Andrew we will be able to see more of that brilliant looking line and of course your exquisite looking Merlin, George...

She sure does look beautiful. I bet your are so proud to own her.
Yes of course, it's nice to have something different and it is a lovely looking loco. Mind you I haven't seen a live steam loco I don't like yet!!

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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by steamgeorge » Mon Jun 17, 2019 10:21 am

Another photo taken on the West Cornwall Light Railway.

Crossing the girder bridge
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video to follow

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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by FWLR » Tue Jun 18, 2019 8:22 am

Brilliant... :thumbright: :thumbright:

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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by RobRossington » Sat Jun 22, 2019 12:17 pm

An excellent looking machine! Glad it’s all working nicely!

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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by steamgeorge » Tue Jun 25, 2019 9:10 am

Not the best quality video I'm afraid. Again this was taken at Peter and Bruce Dawes West Cornwall Light Railway. All the buildings you see are miniature versions of buildings in St Just which Peter has scratch built himself!


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Re: Merlin Leek and Manifold

Post by steamgeorge » Sat Dec 21, 2019 7:23 pm

Dads Merlin L & M has found a new home, probably the best place it could go. It is with a collector on the south coast who also has the Merlin 'Beast' and a Mac Muckley L & M. He is delighted with it. Sad to see it go but nice to see it being appreciated and being used regularly. We hope to visit one day and see it in its new home.

Regards
George

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