Basic steam fiirng instructions

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

My son & I have recently started to steam up our Tich again. Last summer we had mixed success. As mentioned, we're fairly new to operating live steam & were only able to steam it up with the help of other members at our club.

However, last weekend, we had quite a bit of success on our own. We brought it out to the club and were able to get it fired and running almost totally on our own. Actually, my son (who is almost 12) did most of it using his own judgement, with me just watching & commenting! As before, it would only run a few metres before the fire would go out or the pressure would drop. I think we can improve this with practice.

The loco probably ran so much better because a friend from our club thoroughly cleaned it last winter. Another concern is that the engine blower still seems to be plugged — that was an ongoing issue last summer as well. Does anyone know if there are any articles — online or in print — that provide a very clear, "dumbed-down" description of how to clean a Tich, especially the engine blower? (The latter problem last summer even had some of the seasoned club members stumped.)

Thanks in advance! Rob

[Nick HughesParticipant @nickhughes97026]

To unblock the blower nozzle/jet I use one of these:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRIMUS-96-97-STOVE-PRICKERS-JET-PRICKERS-KEROSENE-STOVE-CAMPING-STOVE-/251847536883?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

(I would think that a similar item is available over there), used with the blower valve just SLIGHTLY open or open at low (15 psi) boiler pressure, so that the blockage tends to get pushed out of the nozzle/jet, rather than in.

Nick.

Edited By Nick Hughes on 22/05/2015 17:11:54

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Hi Robert; just getting my little Tich ready for its anual boiler test tomorrow – now that the steaming season is upon us. This year is Tich's year – I tend to alternate amongst my vast collection of two locomotives.

I have had my little blower plugged in the smokebox; on the end of the blower is a nozzle with a small hole. As Nick says, something small to poke down it would work – something smaller than the hole diameter. I used a small numbered drill in the end of a pin vise, and the blockage went away.

Some locomotives (including the coal fired crane in Ottawa) have a simple pipe, sans nozzle. LBSC was always after efficiency, and certainly the little nozzle on the end of Tich's blower does the trick.

Make sure, of course that the nozzle points up and into the chimney, of course.

John.

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

Thanks, John. That's how I remember us fixing this last year. I'll use either my dental pick or a small drill bit to clean the blower.

quick question: for how long can you keep your Tich in steam? As mentioned, mine runs out after a few metres or so, unless we get really good at feeding it charcoal and coal while in motion!

rob

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Sounds like you are almost there; good progress.

My little Tich went "ok" today, but the lubricator was not lubricating, so I packed it in.

You asked about how long/far a Tich will run – mine has been around the Waushakum Live Steamers track, with the ups and downs and round abouts and bridges – I only would go around once, because the grades are long and steep, and the track is very long – 2,264 feet – whatever that is in metric.

It has also pulled about 500 lbs in passengers at Winnipeg, Manitoba (Track is flat, though) and two people around the Vancouver Island track.

Anything that is easy is not a challenge – you guys are mastering this little locomotive, and will have no problems with larger ones, should you go that way.

John.

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

Thanks for your encouragement, John. We had hoped to steam it up this weekend in our driveway, but ran out if time.

So, in order to keep it running continuously, you must have to constantly feed it coal/charcoal, all the while you're checking its water and watching where you're going — lots of multitasking which can be tough!

I also liked your comment that anything that is easy is not a challenge.

Cheers, Rob

[SteamcoalnzParticipant @steamcoalnz]

What type of coal are you using?

Is it proper Anthracite Steamcoal so that it does not make smoke and block the tubes?

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

Posted by Steamcoalnz on 25/05/2015 07:20:12:

What type of coal are you using?

Is it proper Anthracite Steamcoal so that it does not make smoke and block the tubes?

All I know about the coal is that the club is particular about which type of coal they use. They also have stashes of really good coal that works well for small engines. Most of the time, though, I'm burning kerosene-soaked wood charcoal and I only use the coal when it's steaming very well. Thx, Rob

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

I thought I'd post a quick follow-up note re how my son & I are getting along with our Tich. We've had a lot of success with it recently, especially this month.

Two weekends ago, we had no trouble steaming it up in our backyard. I put it on a table so I could look right inside the firebox to see how the fire was going. We ran it for a good hour.

Then, last weekend, we took it up to our club and again we had no trouble firing it up and running it up and down a siding. I think one of the key issues is to keep cleaning the tubes and firebox thoroughly after each session. A couple months ago, the engine blower was clogged & other guys at the club seemed to have trouble cleaning it. But even that seems to be working now, after using and running it so much.

At any rate, we're making good progress & are very pleased. I now want to be able to get it to complete one circuit of our club's track without having to stop and build up the fire & pressure again, but that might be asking too much!

Thanks again for your feedback here on this forum.

Cheers, Rob

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Hi Rob,

Congratulations with running your loco. One of the skills you will learn is to maintain the fire and water while on-the-go although a bit awkward on a little engine. I drive a full size traction engine and one of the procedures is to clean the firebox and tubes after every steaming. Sometimes clean the tubes more than once per day if they are dirty and not producing enough steam.

Cheers, Paul.

[RobertInOntarioParticipant @robertinontario]

Thanks, Paul. Yes, for some reason, everything is working as it should. Cleaning must be part of the solution.

I remember, last summer, how we had trouble lighting the fire and keeping it going, and then feeling frustrated. I think it's just taken some time to get familiar with the loco and how it works.

At any rate, I keep thinking about this. It's been great as it has shown me how the real, full-scale thing works as well. Two years ago, I knew almost nothing about engine blowers and water glasses.

Cheers, Rob

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