Sweet William

[James Roberts 4Participant @jamesroberts4]

I was looking at building a Holmside but I also like the Sweet William. I understand they have a marine style steel boiler. What are these like to build and in use compared to a copper loco one. I would guess not as efficient at producing steam. What kind of load could it pull? As I’m after something that could pull me, the wife and the 2 young children. Ideally without stopping the engine after every circuit to recover.
Thanks.

[James Roberts 4Participant @jamesroberts4]

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

using steel instead of copper makes practically no difference to heat transfer or steam raising, the resistance is getting the heat from the flue gas to the metal, everything else is insignificant

[James Roberts 4Participant @jamesroberts4]

But there must be a difference between the 2 designs one being marine and the other a proper loco boiler?
Wouldn’t the steel one be more susceptible to internal corrosion?

[FMESParticipant @fmes]

Hi James,

As a 7 1/4 gauge loco you won't really have a problem with it pulling, my 5" Sweet pea will happily tow three truck loads of kids both big and small, best record was 18 on a flat track, different kettle of fish stopping it.

All of the marine boilers are relatively easy to construct, and steel boilers steam just as well as copper in the bigger sizes, of course you do have to look after them more.

All the best with your project

Regards

Lofty

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

 They can easily pull your family and dog too.

Edited By Bazyle on 25/02/2018 20:29:19

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by James Roberts 4 on 25/02/2018 20:20:47:
But there must be a difference between the 2 designs one being marine and the other a proper loco boiler?
Wouldn't the steel one be more susceptible to internal corrosion?

I make no comment on the merits of marine vs loco firebox, only on steel vs copper in otherwise same design

[James Roberts 4Participant @jamesroberts4]

Has anyone fitted a steam dome to one to get a little more steam space and a drier spot to collect the steam from. Is that even possible with a steel marine boiler?

[FMESParticipant @fmes]

Never found a need personally, and you would be altering the original design of the boiler which is often frowned upon by the Boiler Inspectors.

Regards

Lofty

[Billy BeanParticipant @billybean67480]

Posted by FMES on 01/03/2018 20:26:35:

Never found a need personally, and you would be altering the original design of the boiler which is often frowned upon by the Boiler Inspectors.

Regards

Lofty

Still learning so excuse the question but Lofty has already stated it works perfectly as it is.

So James why would you want to alter a proven design?

[James Roberts 4Participant @jamesroberts4]

Just for more steam space to make it harder to run out and to provide dryer steam as it would be removed further from the water.

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