Miniature Steam Locomotive Management

This topic has 10 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 26 February 2021 at 16:42 by Paul Sherriff.

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31 October 2016 at 13:51 #263968
Peter Wilson 14
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@peterwilson14
Good afternoon,

I wonder if Chris or Steve Addy could contact me concerning the article titled "Miniature Steam Locomotive Management" ?

Thank you

Best regards

Peter W
Advert

31 October 2016 at 13:51 #32824
Peter Wilson 14
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@peterwilson14
7 April 2017 at 12:43 #292410
nipper
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@nipper
Good Morning Peter. I have read your post and it was well done but I have a couple of comments. The reversing lever does not alter the piston travel only the valve travel but of course you knew this and it's a pity it passed the edit. The other, more pertinent issue is about charcoal briquets . I and another member of my club used them and while they got the fire started they clogged up the grate and ashpan, due to the excessive amount of ash, so that the fire went out once coal was added and it could not be recovered. Lump wood is a much better option. Best regards David Murray Staines SME
7 April 2017 at 23:19 #292494
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Easier than charcoal is a lump of plain wood from a skip cut to 1/4 inch shorter than the firebox, then split into thin strips before soaking in paraffin. This is easier to put into the firebox and you know it is going all the way to the back. The last piece is left sticking out to light before pushing home.
At the end of the day once pressure is down don't forget to open the blower to prevent a vacuum forming in the boiler and sucking water in from the tanks if you haven't emptied them
9 April 2017 at 21:27 #292716
nipper
Participant
@nipper
Hi Bazyle. Thanks for the reply but I have been driving engines since 1968 so while I felt obliged to warn people about charcoal briquets I do not need advise on how to run them myself. As for water in the tanks , always drain them is my advise.
9 April 2017 at 22:14 #292719
julian atkins
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@julianatkins58923
Apologies, but I am getting a little confused here!

Is 'Nipper' Steve Addy of the aforementioned ME article? Or is 'Nipper' someone else?

Cheers,

Julian
10 April 2017 at 09:56 #292752
nipper
Participant
@nipper
Hi Julian. Thanks for the note, I am David Murray of Staines SME. I am sorry if I seems a bit sharp in my reply but the purpose of my comment was to warn other people of the pitfalls of using charcoal briquets not start a forum on advising me on how to start a locomotive. Thanks anyway.
10 April 2017 at 10:02 #292754
Nick_G
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@nick_g
Posted by nipper on 10/04/2017 09:56:28:

not start a forum on advising me on how to start a locomotive.

.

Fill it with diesel, turn the key and press the button. ………. 'innit' ???

Nick
13 April 2017 at 19:08 #293262
nipper
Participant
@nipper
Hi Nick. This my last post on this subject. My best friends father was an engine driver, many years after he retired I asked which was his best day as a driver. ' The day the diesels arrived' Nuff said.
20 August 2017 at 10:26 #312981
Phil Barber
Participant
@philbarber30745
Good article, as a newcomer, appreciated.
26 February 2021 at 16:42 #530333
Paul Sherriff
Participant
@paulsherriff40313
After running and then blowing down, what is good practice to prevent rusting up of cast iron cylinder blocks

i run the engine up and down a few feet relying on the lubricator to pump some oil into the cylinders but I sometimes feel this is not enough

Previously I have run locos that have gunmetal cylinders and this has never been a worry

Thanks
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