Compressed air power

[DaveWatkins]

Has anyone made a working model of one of these?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=080iwBKaEMM

[90733]

I don't but would love one, even if it was electric powered

[tuppenced]

I've seen a 16mm scale working model driven by compressed air, but it wasn't a model of that kind of locomotive.

It was a Fireless locomotive using the boiler* as an air tank.

Naturally it didn't run for very long because quite sensibly it used low pressure (roughly what we would use for steam), yet it was great to see it going.

I've a feeling it could have been made by Stuart Baker, but don't quote me on that without checking.

David 1/2d

* Yes the pressure vessel on a Fireless locomotive IS a boiler. It is charged with hot WATER (not mere steam) under high pressure. The water boils into high pressure steam as the pressure drops. The steam is fed to big low pressure cylinders through a Regulator.

[Sir Clothem Cap]

I like the way it can be controlled from either end without the need for turning.

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

Haven't seen a model (or that prototype) but really want one. It looks quite a small compressed air tank, how far can it run?

[DaveWatkins]

The driver told me that in the Earl of Durham's colliery they had to have a recharging point every 400 yards. As seen at Apedale it was hauling an air compressor about with it in the second wagon. Driving with the compressor running would of course allow it to go a long way.

It has slip eccentric valve gear so to reverse you have to get off and push the train the way you want it to go in order to reset the valves, The Earl was too mean to pay the extra for proper valve gear.