Coal fed boiler for Stuart S50 – recommendations

This topic has 10 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 21 January 2013 at 23:57 by Mike Clarke.

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18 January 2013 at 19:58 #109150
Mike Clarke
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@mikeclarke87958
Hi,

I'm not at all familiar with stationary engines. I have a friend whose Dad has just bought a Stuart S50. He would like to steam it on coal as he wants to experience the smell and smoke.

I've tried to do some research but can't find a definite answer. Maccsteam do some lovely boilers, but they all seem to be gas fuelled. I notice GLR do a coal fed boiler for stationary engines, but would this be overkill for the S50?

If anyone knows of a supplier who makes coal-fed boilers suitable for the S50, please can you give me your recommendations. Thanks!

Regards,

Mike.

Edited By Mike Clarke on 18/01/2013 19:59:03
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18 January 2013 at 19:58 #3161
Mike Clarke
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@mikeclarke87958
18 January 2013 at 20:01 #109151
Sandy Morton
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@sandymorton10620
Coal fired is a great idea but gas fired is, imvho, very much easier to operate.
18 January 2013 at 20:06 #109153
Mike Clarke
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@mikeclarke87958
I can appreciate that Sandy, thanks. He is eager to have a coal fire though….I can appreciate why, when I steam my loco the smell, sight and sound of a coal fire is really nice.

If a suitable coal-fed boiler seems unavaiable then I'll tell him he'll have to go for gas.

Thanks,

Mike.
19 January 2013 at 13:42 #109235
Sub Mandrel
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@submandrel
They have certainly been built in the past – a suitable size of boiler would be no smaller than a Tich boiler and they can be steamed on coal without trouble. Look for a vertical boiler design for a small scale steam wag(g)on. You should be able to buy just the sheets relevant to the boiler. Another alternative would be a De Winton locon or possibly a steam crane.

You may find the need for a blower and/or an extra long chimney to helps with the draught as you will probably not be loading the stationary engine very heavily.

Neil
19 January 2013 at 18:28 #109267
Mike Clarke
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@mikeclarke87958
Hi Neil, thanks.

The chap who wants the boiler wants to buy ready made – he has no facilites to make one.

Good tips – cheers,

Mike.
19 January 2013 at 21:59 #109305
Sub Mandrel
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@submandrel
He could get one made to such a design!

Neil
19 January 2013 at 22:10 #109307
Mike Clarke
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@mikeclarke87958
He could and suppose he may decide to. Just thought that with Maccsteam offering off the shelf, someone may offer a similar service, just with cold-fed.
20 January 2013 at 00:57 #109324
Trevor Drabble 1
Participant
@trevordrabble1
May I suggest you have a look at the boiler designs already availble from MHS eg M30, M31,M36, M4, M51 or the Scott boiler 21581, any of which I believe could easily be adapted to feed an S50 and also to coal firing by any of the commercial producers such as Maccsteam or Helen at Western Steam.
20 January 2013 at 01:05 #109325
Trevor Drabble 1
Participant
@trevordrabble1
In addition, please also note that Mainsteam have a coal fired boiler on You Tube driving a Stuart No5 engine, and Lynx models also list a suitable coal fired boiler as a standard product.
21 January 2013 at 23:57 #109606
Mike Clarke
Participant
@mikeclarke87958
Hi Trevor thanks for that.

I don't want to get invovled in a decision to make/commision a boiler as I have ample to do – I was just wondering if there were commercial coal-fed boilers available off the shelf for use with Stuart engines as this would suit my friend's dad best.

Although I've never used Lynx, I've heard a few tales about them so would not feel comfortable recommending them. It looks as though GLR are going to be best. I know Western Steam is highly respected, but the lead times rule her out.

Some less helpful replies – as someone who has commisioned loco boilers from MaccSteam, I'd kinda worked out I could have had a boiler commisioned from scratch, not very helpful. I won't describe it as going off on tangents though, I have more manners than that!

Cheers,

Mike.
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