New Addition to the CCLW Roster
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 1:59 pm
Happy New Year.
Not been posting on here for awhile, so hopefully this helps to correct that situation.
Last year I resisted the temptation to buy more locos (it was when my main pensions matured, taking the lump sum options), but I cracked just before Xmas buying not one but two locomotive kits.
My main weakness with locomotive kits is spray painting, so when I saw the Ruby kits (pre-painted) were available again I was tempted. Accucraft UK were selling them for £555 RRP, but I noticed Maidstone Engineering were selling the Ruby #2 kit on eBay for £525:50, but curiously only £475 from their website direct (they currently have 2 listings on eBay at both prices). I ordered one from their website & it arrived promptly on Dec 21st. I had just been invited to a 45mm running day on Dec 27th, so the race was on to see it I could complete it & get it run in before then.
These kits were originally provided in a nicely laid out box with foam inserts.
They are now provided in a plain cardboard box which is surrounded by thick polystyrene blocks for safe shipping, with all components labelled in ziplock bags.
Chassis went together OK until the lower boiler mounting plate. This was a very tight fit (stripping one bolt) leaving the front axle binding. The ends had not been bent to the required dimensions, after re-bending it fitted better & did not affect the front axle.
After adjusting the reversing & cylinder piston valves, I set up the eccentrics for outside admission (as done in the factory, I'll try this first then compare it with inside admission later). However something was not right as there was a restriction at rear dead centre on one side, and I could not get a full rotation using a foot pump. After re-adjusting all 3 piston valves it turned over very nicely using the foot pump.
The kit was completed to the point before fitting the side tanks & cab to allow running in on blocks to begin.
The kit is only supplied with assembly instructions, and I could not find any operating instructions for the Ruby #2 online, but found a set for the Ruby #5. The important information, as the boiler has neither a sight glass nor water level check valve, is to remove 30 mls of water from a full boiler. Unclear what pressure the safety valve is set for - original Ruby's were 30PSI, but the boiler certificate provided with the kit allows 60PSI operation?
2 problems occurred on its first run. The regulator was very tight on its threads, was not fully closing, and the brass knob on the end gets seriously hot. I fitted a regulator I removed from a Ragleth Mark I (this is longer than the kit one) together with a plastic knob, and subsequently fitted a replacement regulator from The Train Department for finer control.
The gas filler valve was venting a lot of gas whilst filling & I could not get the tank properly filled. The burner was also a bit erratic on the first couple of runs (going out quite often) - I'd meant to flush out the gas tank before fitting. After fitting a replacement gas filler valve I then found that a full gas tank was outlasting the boiler water content so fitted a Goodall valve to add water during a run.
The runs progressed well, with the latest one achieving 19 mins running time. I then decided to clean the gas jet & fit a chuffer pipe from Milton Locomotive Works. This is meant for fitting to my Edrig, and I think with the narrower & tapered chimney on the Ruby it may have beene causing problems, as the burner was erratic again and went out several times during the run which I terminated early.
Chris Cairns
Not been posting on here for awhile, so hopefully this helps to correct that situation.
Last year I resisted the temptation to buy more locos (it was when my main pensions matured, taking the lump sum options), but I cracked just before Xmas buying not one but two locomotive kits.
My main weakness with locomotive kits is spray painting, so when I saw the Ruby kits (pre-painted) were available again I was tempted. Accucraft UK were selling them for £555 RRP, but I noticed Maidstone Engineering were selling the Ruby #2 kit on eBay for £525:50, but curiously only £475 from their website direct (they currently have 2 listings on eBay at both prices). I ordered one from their website & it arrived promptly on Dec 21st. I had just been invited to a 45mm running day on Dec 27th, so the race was on to see it I could complete it & get it run in before then.
These kits were originally provided in a nicely laid out box with foam inserts.
They are now provided in a plain cardboard box which is surrounded by thick polystyrene blocks for safe shipping, with all components labelled in ziplock bags.
Chassis went together OK until the lower boiler mounting plate. This was a very tight fit (stripping one bolt) leaving the front axle binding. The ends had not been bent to the required dimensions, after re-bending it fitted better & did not affect the front axle.
After adjusting the reversing & cylinder piston valves, I set up the eccentrics for outside admission (as done in the factory, I'll try this first then compare it with inside admission later). However something was not right as there was a restriction at rear dead centre on one side, and I could not get a full rotation using a foot pump. After re-adjusting all 3 piston valves it turned over very nicely using the foot pump.
The kit was completed to the point before fitting the side tanks & cab to allow running in on blocks to begin.
The kit is only supplied with assembly instructions, and I could not find any operating instructions for the Ruby #2 online, but found a set for the Ruby #5. The important information, as the boiler has neither a sight glass nor water level check valve, is to remove 30 mls of water from a full boiler. Unclear what pressure the safety valve is set for - original Ruby's were 30PSI, but the boiler certificate provided with the kit allows 60PSI operation?
2 problems occurred on its first run. The regulator was very tight on its threads, was not fully closing, and the brass knob on the end gets seriously hot. I fitted a regulator I removed from a Ragleth Mark I (this is longer than the kit one) together with a plastic knob, and subsequently fitted a replacement regulator from The Train Department for finer control.
The gas filler valve was venting a lot of gas whilst filling & I could not get the tank properly filled. The burner was also a bit erratic on the first couple of runs (going out quite often) - I'd meant to flush out the gas tank before fitting. After fitting a replacement gas filler valve I then found that a full gas tank was outlasting the boiler water content so fitted a Goodall valve to add water during a run.
The runs progressed well, with the latest one achieving 19 mins running time. I then decided to clean the gas jet & fit a chuffer pipe from Milton Locomotive Works. This is meant for fitting to my Edrig, and I think with the narrower & tapered chimney on the Ruby it may have beene causing problems, as the burner was erratic again and went out several times during the run which I terminated early.
Chris Cairns