Emma Victoria

[Mike pParticipant @mikep]

Hi Diane, I would like to ask if anyone building "Emma Victoria" has encountered problems with the dimensions on the boiler and in particular the regulator assembly as the sums do not add up. Taking all dimensions on the drawings the regulator end up at 11 5/8" as against the stated length of 11 1/8" this is not too bad, however on machining the bushes that form the threaded portion and the seat for the valve the valve won't seat within 9/16" perhaps Henry could check these measurements and comment or add an update to this forum. I would also like to hear replies from others that have had similar problems.

Mike p

[Mike pParticipant @mikep]

Dimensions on drawings

[Diane CarneyModerator @dianecarney30678]

Hi Mike. I will draw this thread to Henry's attention. I am sure he will respond when he can.

Diane

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

henry might also like to comment why there is no O ring seal on the wet header to regulator to smokebox tubeplate flange. i am not alone in this observation as the boiler inspector of another club emailed me on the same subject.

cheers,

julian

Edited By julian atkins on 07/08/2014 23:50:46

[john kennedy 1Participant @johnkennedy1]

You lads are starting to worry me now… I've just spent quite a bit of hard earned on copper,bronze and silver for this boiler. At the moment I,m still slogging away at making the formers.

I have a question about fire door bushes.None are shown and I've been told they are now a requirement,is this true?

Also is it easier to drill the radial holes for the regulator and dome bushes before they are soldered in ?

Mike,have you done your boiler yet or are you just thinking ahead?

John

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi john,

it is usual to drill tapping size holes in all bushes plus 'start' the thread with a taper tap about 4 turns before silver soldering the bushes to the boiler. you then finish off the tapping of the threads once all silver soldering on the boiler is completed.

it's a matter for your club boiler inspector whether on a 'new' boiler blind tapped bushes should be provided for things such as firehole door screws, though best practice these days is to use blind bushes for same silver soldered to the boiler.

cheers,

julian

[Mike pParticipant @mikep]

Hi John, Nice to hear I am not alone in this build. In answer to your query I have not yet made the boiler although I have made all the parts ready to silver solder. As I have urgent family matters to attend to I don't have much workshop time at present, however when I can I am machining all the boiler fittings in readiness, it was as I was trying the parts for the regulator made as per the drawing I found this problem so it looks as though I shall have to remake some of the pieces in order for the thing to function. I will wait now for hopefully a reply from Henry as to the way round the problem. As to the fire door bushes I don't have an answer to this as this will be my first locomotive build so it is a learning process for me. I have previously made boilers but these were gas fired so no fire door. Also thanks to Julian for raising the query for the "O" ring on the wet header. Perhaps if a boiler inspector reads this thread a suitable reply would help us all.

Good luck to all building this engine

Mike

[john kennedy 1Participant @johnkennedy1]

Julian,

Thanks for your reply.Don't know if I explained well enough but your method of starting a thread and then soldering,is that for the small holes where the studs go in? Suppose that would include the holes in all the other bushes.Shame I've got them all made and tapped now.

I think I'll make some for the fire door as I can't bear the thought of drilling holes in a pressure tested boiler … Wishful thinking,assuming it will hold water when I get it done.

As for boiler inspectors,I'm struggling a bit as the club I joined last year expect their members to be hands on.Because I work til 7pm I never got to any meetings and my membership has lapsed. Hopefully sort that out soon.

Mike,

You are a bit ahead of me as I still need a few more bits to complete to make up the boiler kit. I've jumped ahead a bit ahead and left the chassis at the pump stage for now. If I manage to get the boiler done and watertight it will encourage me to get the rest done. Keep in touch … Photos,photos,photos.

John

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi john,

yes all tapped bushes of whatever size. this is to avoid the threads getting damaged in subsequent heat ups. this isnt 'my' method but what has been advocated for over 70 years. however dont worry too much so long as you can open out your dies when making the corresponding screws/bolts/studs boiler fittings etc to fit if required when the boiler is finished.

you might also like to consider ditching the co-axial superheater and fit an ordinary 2 element type. the late jim ewins showed very clearly that co-axial superheaters are far less efficient than ordinary superheater elements.

cheers,

julian

[john kennedy 1Participant @johnkennedy1]

Thank you Julian, Most helpful. Will consider the superheater options…John.

[Henry WoodParticipant @henrywood50588]

Hello Mike

I have checked thro' my drawings for the regulator and they all add up O.K. I do not understand where you are getting 11 5/8" from. As to the comment with regards the missing 'O' ring , I have never used an 'O' ring to seal the superheater wet header to the regulator, always used a gasket as shown on my drawing with no problems on sealing. With regards to the Fire Door mountings, these are 6BA ( bronze or stainless ) tapped into the 1/8"thk. backhead, again I have used this method on all my boilers. Once in, they are not likely to need removing on a regular basis unlike other boiler fittings. If you are not happy with this, then you could used blind bushes silver-soldered in place. As to the Superheater , again I have fitted this type to two locos and find it easy to construct and does the job satisfactorily. I hope this will help in clearing up your concerns

Cheers Henry

[Mike pParticipant @mikep]

Hi Henry, My sincere apologies Having checked the drawing again together with the parts I have made the error is entirely mine I can only think that family pressures and shortage of workshop time led me to rush ahead instead of the old adage of measure twice, cut once. I would like to say that this is my first loco and I am enjoying the build immensely together with the narrative to accompany the drawings it is a pleasure to build. Again my apologies and I look forward to the next article every time.

Happy steaming, Mike

[Bill DawesParticipant @billdawes]

I am also building Emma Victoria and is my first engine.

Like Mike also enjoying the series and building so interesting to see how other people are progressing.

Not too far on with mine, frame, buffers, axles, boxes, wheels, pump, brakes all done.

Cylinders part done, coupling rods started and discarded in disgust, made a mess of them (appearance rather than dimensions), need to get back to them now I think. Smoke box pretty well finished. Started off with good intentions of keeping to series but have jumped about a bit. My silver soldering is improving, not sure why, I seem to be doing the same thing as before.

Do you expert guys swop to something else for a change of scenery or stick strictly to a sequence and (come on now be honest) have you made parts that do the job but have let pass some flaw in aesthetics because it is hidden from view.

I have to say things have improved since I bought my Sieg X3 super mill, I love it.

Still 'looking forward' with some trepidation to silver soldering the boiler.

Useful tip from Julian about not finish threading bushes until soldered in place.

When this series started we heard from Hobby nut who was working at a prodigious rate and keeping pace with the series, not heard from in since as far as I am aware, any news?

Regards

Bill D.

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi henry,

can i please ask you to consider a revision to the drawings re the firehole door screws because many boiler inspectors will not accept this method these days on new boilers preferring blind bushes silver soldered into position.

in 2014 one really ought to expect 'best practice' to be adherred to and it would be a terrible shame if a new boiler built by a beginner was refused a test by his club boiler inspector due to the above problem.

i have also received a comment from another boiler inspector regarding the lack of thread engagement on the regulator steam pipe in the main body of the regulator. i would also hate to think of a beginner experiencing problems in sealing same.

i still remain to be convinced that 3/8" dia thickwall copper tube is still available for the regulator steam pipe and perhaps you could consider a revision with bronze turned up sections that can then be easily threaded after silver soldered to the ends of 3/8" tube?

cheers,

julian

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Hobbynut has been playing with race cars, I expect he will get back into the workshop over the winter.

J

[john kennedy 1Participant @johnkennedy1]

Thanks Henry for sorting that. Any chance of a video of her running? John

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

This place supplies seamless 3/8" Copper tube from 24swg up to 10swg. I don't know if they have a minimum order quantity.

**LINK**

Neil

[Henry WoodParticipant @henrywood50588]

Hello John

I am sorry at this point in time I do not have a Video of Emma-Victoria running on the track. I did issue M.E. with a number of still pictures taken at the track with the loco carrying passengers, perhaps these may be included with my article to let you see that the loco does run very well. I am not one for doing a lot of camera work, but if the opportunity arises to make a Video in the future I will do so.

Cheers Henry

[HobbyNutParticipant @hobbynut]

Bill D, I am still here, and I have moved in the last 6 months, so everything took a back seat for a while. I have now sorted all my workshop stuff and projects, and set up my new mill and lathe. I will be getting back to Emma very soon I expect.

[john kennedy 1Participant @johnkennedy1]

Posted by Henry Wood on 10/08/2014 13:57:12:

Hello John

I am sorry at this point in time I do not have a Video of Emma-Victoria running on the track. I did issue M.E. with a number of still pictures taken at the track with the loco carrying passengers, perhaps these may be included with my article to let you see that the loco does run very well. I am not one for doing a lot of camera work, but if the opportunity arises to make a Video in the future I will do so.

Cheers Henry

Thanks Henry .. John

[Author]

Posts