New Loco for the PMR

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:00 pm

In true light railway style the PMR although under construction is suffering a motive power shortage. The pride of the line an Archangel Brick is very poorly and so a replacement engine was sourced from a dealer in the West County.

It is a Merlin Midas and will be named Lisa Elizabeth.

DSC_0194 by bigjimiflash, on Flickr[/img]

DSC_0195 by bigjimiflash, on Flickr[/img]

DSC_0196 by bigjimiflash, on Flickr[/img]

I know that Merlins are not to everyones taste but hey ho.
The colour is much darker than the pictures show and with a little TLC it should come up nice.
There is the remains of some radio gear in place but this will need changing for new and the gas tank will be moved so as to get the control knob in a less obvious place.

If any one has any tips for using a Merlin please let me know. Or even better a copy of the original instructions. I am assuming the front dome is a lubricator and like a mamond you fill through the hole for the safety valve.

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:09 pm

That looks very nice Jim (and any photo with a steam loco, bottle of Ameretto and a cat in the frame gets a thumbs-up from me!

)

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:14 pm

The grog is the current wife's anti-nagging medicine.

laurence703 · Post by **laurence703** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:14 pm

I'd say the front dome hides the regulator valve?
Looks like a lovely model! Thanks for sharing.

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:19 pm

Jim,
You have got an interesting loco there as there are not many with Beck boilers and chassis but having improved valve gear.
Personally from all the 80s loco builders I would choose Merlin and upset a few by saying more than Roundhouse.
Running is easy - oil all the usual bits, half fill the boiler through the safety valve hole, unscrew the front dome cap and put in steam oil, fill the gas and light at chimney top then reduce the gas until you hear the flame pop back into the boiler, just like Accucraft locos (they are the direct descendants of Merlin/Beck).

williamfj · Post by **williamfj** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:25 pm

Looks like a good loco, hope she gives you many years of sterling service.

funandtrains · Post by **funandtrains** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:45 pm

I'm wondering now if the valve gear is Merlin made or a Mike Beeson conversion.

If you want more descriptions on running Beck or Merlin/Beck locos just reads the reviews in Marc Horowitz's Sidestreet Banner Works website.

I've just got one of the last Beck locos made by Roundhouse but also have a German made Beck and several Merlins in varying conditions. Merlins are no always perfectly engineered but are good looking, fun and usually easy to run if looked after. If you want a perfect Merlin don't buy a Merlin by a Pearse!

DVT Dweller · Post by **DVT Dweller** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:48 pm

Jim,

I think its a maestro. The midus was the 0-4-0 version. I've got one that is currently with Sir Hayden of this parish having bits carried out on it as & when he can fit it in.

I've got a full set of valve timing instructions if you need them at any point? Be very careful with the boiler. It's brass, ours did a cracking impression of a sieve in the end and Tony Sant made a new copper boiler for it.

Ours started off as a Midus belonging to my great grandfather Alfred Smith on his railway in Bunburyin the early 80's as an 0-4-0 with solid wheels. Very soon after Tom took her away and converted her to an 0-6-0 with the spoke type wheels. She had/has full RC with the regulator being in the forward sand dome, this also doubles as the lubricator. Like you say remove the safety valve to fill with water, there should be a sight glass at the back of the boiler to show how full it is. The pistons are made of Teflon cups back to back and in theory should be self lubricating.

Ours used to run in Service at the Winster Valley and would more than hold her own alongside much newer Roundhouse locos.

Steve

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:50 pm

If that is a Mike Beeson conversion, then that is one rare beast you've got! Saying that, it doesn't have some of the extras I've seen other Beeson locos fitted with. Uprated valve gear certainly makes it out of the ordinary

DVT Dweller · Post by **DVT Dweller** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:02 pm

It's not Chris it's standard Beck/Merlin from the early to mid 80's.

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 11:09 pm

Yeah, taking a closer look at it. I know someone with one, in bits

Superbiker_uk · Post by **Superbiker_uk** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 7:01 am

DVT Dweller:93533 wrote:Jim,

I think its a maestro. The midus was the 0-4-0 version.

I have an old Merlin "live steam & accessory programme" from 1985 and it shows an outline drawing of the Midus available as an 0-6-0.

That being said I think you are correct in that it is a Maestro, also pictured in the programme that I have.

Nice loco by the way

Gremlin · Post by **Gremlin** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 9:59 am

nicely proportioned loco but agree on moving the gas regulator as really not good where it is.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:23 am

Thanks for the kind words gentlemen.
I had planned to remove the body and just use the power plant but the little thing has grown on me. So a sympathetic resto/tart up is planned along with new radio gear. Now does any one have a spare Merlin builders plate as I am missing one?

DVT Dweller · Post by **DVT Dweller** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 1:56 pm

Big Jim:93548 wrote:Now does any one have a spare Merlin builders plate as I am missing one?

Only the newer style as fitted on the later builds by Wendy off my Hunslet.

Try Steve at Narrow Planet, he should be able to produce one for you if you can send the original.

I've found my maintenance sheet, the Midus has slip-eccentrics, Meastro has Walcharts valve gear.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:10 pm

Steamed it up today and it ran very well.
It does need the radio gear fitting as hand control is a bit of a struggle.
The two servos are in place but nothing else. So I will aquire a new control and receiver. This should make a huge difference.
The lubricator seems to empty very quickly, I don't know if this is down to the oil I am using (from dreamsteam). It also appears to push most of the oil into the smokebox as a a mucky orange gunge.
I flushed the boiler out and lot of white muck came out so I don't know if it needs a descale? Any suggestions would be appricated.

DSC_0200 by bigjimiflash, on Flickr[/img]

DSC_0201 by bigjimiflash, on Flickr[/img]

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:18 pm

Lovely looking loco Jim! I use white vinegar to descale then plenty of flushes through with water to get rid of the muck in my boilers. What sort of lubricator does it have?

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:23 pm

I am assuming it is a type of displacement but I could be wrong.
It is in the front dome where the regulator valve is. You seem to be pouring the oil onto the valve, its not that visible unfortunately.

LnBmad · Post by **LnBmad** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:27 pm

Looks like a displacement lubricator... I'd be tempted to fit some lagging to the steam pipes going to the cylinders on that

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sun Dec 15, 2013 10:35 pm

Funny you should say that, I was thinking that they might look better wrapped in some very fine cotton string.

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