Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

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Big Jim
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Post by Big Jim » Sat Jan 21, 2017 7:20 pm

Very nice, very atmospheric.

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Sylvian Tennant
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Post by Sylvian Tennant » Tue Jan 31, 2017 7:15 am

She's lovely :)

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tom_tom_go
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Post by tom_tom_go » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:46 pm

Thanks for the comments, she is finally coming together.

The name/works plates were a bit too shiny given the appearance of the loco so I chemically blacken them slightly and now they fit in just right:

Image
Image

You will also notice the cut down running boards with mechanical lubricator and leaf spring detail. As I cut down the front buffer beam on my locos Locoworks sold me only part of the running boards I needed (cheaper as well, which is nice).

Just need to finish fitting the coupler to the rear buffer beam then get both weathered for it to be finished enough for her to earn her keep on the railway.

If the Lady Anne slomo fits and given by the photos on SSP's website I don't see why it would not then I will be fitting one of these as well.

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Post by Big Jim » Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:56 pm

That looks smart, that does.
I do like the cut down buffer beam at the front.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Thu Aug 17, 2017 11:00 pm

A SSP Slomo is on the way for this loco which I think will help with her running on my line as I do not have a continuous circuit of track. I have already fitted a smaller exhaust nozzle as to not loose the draft as the loco will be running at a realistic slower speed with the slomo. This should result in less water usage and an increased run time.

I have a WeeBee safety valve to try out on the loco as well from http://thetraindepartment.com which again should result in less water usage as the RH safety valves blow off for a while even after pressure is lowered.

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:41 pm

Both the Slomo and the safety valve got held up in customs hence the delay (and a nice charge on top, thanks!)

Here is the valve fitted this evening running on coal:



The Slomo is yet to arrive so will post a video of it running once fitted.

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

Post by Big Jim » Thu Sep 21, 2017 10:58 pm

I like it!
Very similar to the Archangel Flatulent safety valve of old.
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Re: Smokey Sophie - A Roundhouse/Riverdale Amy coal fire build

Post by tom_tom_go » Sat Oct 28, 2017 6:01 pm

So here we are finally fitted with a SSP Slomo (no modifications were required to the loco despite it having a coal fired boiler):

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And here it is in action!


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

Post by markoteal » Sat Oct 28, 2017 6:52 pm

Nice and slow again - amazing considering its a coal fired 'beast'
Where did I put that uncoupler?

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

Post by DG » Sun Oct 29, 2017 6:22 am

Wow that is very impressive Tom. Such control at those slow speeds, fantastic.

Thanks

Dave

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Sun Oct 29, 2017 9:01 am

The safety valve blew a bit too much in the video as I was trying to film and control the loco at the same time and was not bothering to use the radio controlled damper.

I need to do a video where I just run the loco on smokey house coal only as you get loads of clag :thumbup:

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Tue Oct 31, 2017 8:57 pm

I have procrastinated about what colour to paint the buffer beams for a while now. As the loco is entirely black I have come to like the contrasting yellow brass colour but they needed weathering so rather than trying to mix paints and buy a spray gun I used chemical blackening which in 15 minutes ended up like this:

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Very tempted now to go to town on the cylinders and running gear with the chemicals!

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Wed Nov 01, 2017 9:46 pm

More chemical fun, this time on the cab windows and the safety valve bonnet:

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The polished smokebox dart had to go:

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Rear buffer beam all dirty now:

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Thu Nov 02, 2017 8:54 pm

Ready for 16mm NGM Kent meet up this Saturday:

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

Post by bazzer42 » Fri Nov 03, 2017 7:48 am

That is a beauty Tom. I think the blackened buffer beam give a nice industrial look.

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

Post by markoteal » Fri Nov 03, 2017 10:22 am

Very good, i like how it affects different areas slightly differently - very prototypical

I may make it along on Sat yet - Tom, see my PM
Where did I put that uncoupler?

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

Post by Big Jim » Sat Nov 04, 2017 9:33 pm

The blacking gives a nice, well used look to the buffer beams. Any plans to weather the rest?
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!

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

Post by markoteal » Sun Nov 05, 2017 5:42 pm

Tom and I ventured to the Kent 16mm Group steam up and had a great time - my Millie perfumed well on her first run away from the CHLR and Tom (after a few battery issues) got up and running with Smokey Sophie and created clouds of proper steam and clag - here is a pic of the loco on the route

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Where did I put that uncoupler?

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

Post by tom_tom_go » Sun Nov 05, 2017 6:08 pm

markoteal wrote: Sun Nov 05, 2017 5:42 pm Tom and I ventured to the Kent 16mm Group steam up and had a great time - my Millie perfumed well...
I don't remember it smelling of roses? :mrgreen:

Batteries were flat so must of left it on. Fortunately, as it uses AA batteries another member kindly lent me theirs so I could get going again.

The loco raised steam even quicker than usual indoors, could even beat some gas locos!

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

Post by markoteal » Sun Nov 05, 2017 6:16 pm

LOL - the smokey smell of your yellow smoke must have affected my typing!
Where did I put that uncoupler?

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