Self starting?

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Please excuse this question in advance! I would like to know if Walschaerts valve gear (on a locomotive model) is self starting, or to put it another way should the loco start from any position (of the valve gear)? I presume it does on full size, Mine won't!!

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Walschaerts valve gear, is it self starting?

[J HancockParticipant @jhancock95746]

Simple answer, yes !

But, not unknown for a full size locomotive to have to 'reverse' first , before pulling away in forward gear i.e. dead

spots can exist if timing slips.

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Are the wheel quartered on the locomotive? Meaning are the crankpins on the driving wheels on one side at 90 degrees to the crankpins opposite?

This is what makes the engine self start or more accurately prevents the engine stopping at dead centre of either cylinder.

If the engine can stop on dead centre of both cylinders it probably will not self start under any circumstances. (regardless what valvegear is used).

[David Bothwell 1Participant @davidbothwell1]

Thanks Jeff and mr Hancock, loco has been running but due to return crank movement it has stopped, revolves about 260 degrees"

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