Garden Railway Forum

Painting's a funny thing, innit? One day it goes well, the next might be a disaster. That's come out beautifully, you ought to be proud.

Old Man Aaron wrote: ↑Wed Sep 22, 2021 3:10 am Painting's a funny thing, innit? One day it goes well, the next might be a disaster. That's come out beautifully, you ought to be proud.

It really is, some bits came out spot on straight from the can, others needed much flatting and polishing to get to an acceptable point, despite the same process being used! I’m happy with it, but there’s room for improvement next time…

First run with the bodywork fitted, and the smokebox properly sealed up, seem to steam considerably better now. I’ve also restricted the lubricator slightly as I think it was over oiling. Ran for about 25-30 mins never going below 55psi before I stopped it to check the oil level, which was pretty much empty by then.

Can I ask how did you limit the oil flow? I have 2 Accucraft locos which seem to dispense far too much oil. If it's not a too technical fix it's one I would be interested in.

The project design uses a separate steam feed from the regulator to the lubricator, and then from the lubricator to the steam chest. I just reduced the size on the hole in the inlet union hoping it would reduce the amount of oil that gets through. I’ve never seen an accucraft lubricator, but I’d assume a similar theory would be applicable.

Garethh wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 8:49 am The project design uses a separate steam feed from the regulator to the lubricator, and then from the lubricator to the steam chest. I just reduced the size on the hole in the inlet union hoping it would reduce the amount of oil that gets through. I’ve never seen an accucraft lubricator, but I’d assume a similar theory would be applicable.

I presumed you would either have incorporated a valve of some sort, or reduced the hole size. The question for me is, how would I go about making the hole in the Accucraft lubricator smaller? (Sorry if it seems a dumb basic question, but I am not a model engineer, but I am proud that I belong to the Guild of Bodgellers : )

I’m not familiar with accucraft lubricators unfortunately, is it a dead leg type or steam fed? Maybe there’s a way to sleeve the existing pipe and drill a new smaller hole? Also not a true model engineer, just figuring it out as I go along, much bodging has been done!

Looking great! I know I'm talking about getting a project based SR Q class built which would be nice to see but that's for next year.

Can't wait to hopefully see it in the flesh!

Jon

Lonsdaler wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 11:06 am I presumed you would either have incorporated a valve of some sort, or reduced the hole size. The question for me is, how would I go about making the hole in the Accucraft lubricator smaller? (Sorry if it seems a dumb basic question, but I am not a model engineer, but I am proud that I belong to the Guild of Bodgellers : )

Hi Phil, I'm not sure where I read this, but someone on this forum or the 16mm assc. website was describing a new locomotive once and decided it was over-oiling. Pretty sure it was an Accucraft but could have been RH as well. Anyway, whoever it was said they stuck a piece of fine wire into the hole to reduce its size. Seems like a bodge-y solution to me, but on the other hand I wouldn't be above trying it.

angr607 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 01, 2021 4:24 pm Looking great! I know I'm talking about getting a project based SR Q class built which would be nice to see but that's for next year.

Can't wait to hopefully see it in the flesh!

Jon

That sounds interesting, it crossed my mind during this build that it would be fairly easy to convert to a Q but I decided to keep it simple and stick with the 4f in the end.

Visited a mate who has a 45mm line with some nice long straights so finally managed to give her a test run. Would go round the curves at either end though so did a bit of end to end chasing which was entertaining! Tender bearings could do with a drop of oil as you can hear…

She's a beauty!

Love the contrast between the matt smokebox and the shine on the rest of the loco.

I'm glad she runs as well as she looks - it would be lovely to see her at the head of a really long train sometime...

Cheers,

Andrew.

What a lovely model! I love everything about it- a masterpiece!

You must make a longer video for us to watch, please. I find this engine very appealing indeed. It looks right in every respect. I love the little puffs of steam from the drain cocks under the front buffer. Really looks the part with those goods wagons.

Bravo, sir.

Absolute perfection!

Cheers for the positive comments, it was a bit stressful running end to end on track with gradients as it kept trying to escape which is why there’s not masses of video! A few minor tweaks to make before next run but happy overall.The wagons are northern finescale kits I’ve been working my way through, eventually I’ll hopefully have a full train!

Garethh wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 9:29 am The wagons are northern finescale kits I’ve been working my way through, eventually I’ll hopefully have a full train!

They look great - I love the weathering...

What an absolutely superb model! Beautiful.

What a great thread! Very inspirational

Out of interest how easy are these to take apart in the future?

Top stuff Gareth

Its Matt by the way