waggy
Statesman
Posts: 744
|
Post by waggy on Jan 16, 2011 9:30:06 GMT
Morning all This loco is part of a friends collection which is slowly being disposed of. As you can see it's not in the best of health but nevertheless, an interesting machine. Can anybody identify it? It's 5" gauge, 2-4-4 wheel arrangement. The bunker / water tank are behind the cab. This is the best shot I could get as it's surrounded by other heavy items. I've also had to crop the edges and lose a bit to get the photo on here. Regards, Waggy. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by baggo on Jan 16, 2011 10:03:26 GMT
Hi Waggy,
I did a bit of research on the loco and I think it's based on an American Forney type. Don Young's Lucky 7 is a similar loco but in 3½" or 7¼". The interesting bit is that it has outside Stephenson valve gear.
John
|
|
|
|
Post by baggo on Feb 2, 2011 19:25:37 GMT
Took a few more photos of the loco today and had a good look at it. It's got quite a few interesting features, apart from the outside Stepehenson valve gear. One is that it appears to have a working steam reverser which I asume is operated by the little lever on the left of the regulator. I'm not sure what the two extra gauges are on the top of the boiler - might be steamchest pressure? The pipes disappear up the front end somewhere.   The brass object above the rear driving wheel is the handpump, operated by a lever inside the cab.   Don't know how old she is but it's been many years since she was last steamed. Unfortunately, the boiler is steel so really has to be considered as scrap. Even if it is still sound, the cases of getting it tested nowadays is pretty slim as I doubt if there is any paperwork for it. My brother's got his eye on her as a restoration project, even if it does mean a new boiler. It would be great to get such an unusual loco running again. John |
|
|
|
Post by baggo on Feb 8, 2011 16:13:49 GMT
Well, dear Bro is now the proud owner of the American  Just got to get it home now. I couldn't even lift the front end! The steel boiler doesn't help and the frames are 1/2" solid steel. I think a serious rebuild will be in order. Although the motion seems pretty unworn, the paintwork is more than a little tired! John |
|
|
|
Post by baggo on Apr 7, 2011 18:33:28 GMT
My brother has been busy beavering away on this loco. He took the boiler off and gave it a pressure test to 180psi. This showed a slight weep from one of the tubes on the front tubeplate but everything else was perfect. As mentioned earlier, the boiler is steel but the tubes are copper and brazed in. I told him about the 'Loctite Cure' and this was duly carried out with a positive result. Basically the leak is cleaned up and coated with Loctite 290 which is a thin grade of thread sealant. This seeps into the crack and seals it. It helps the Loctite to penetrate if you can get a bit of vacuum inside the boiler. We took the boiler down the club for the boiler inspector to give his verdict, fearing the worst, but he was quite happy with the construction and overall condition, and after testing it to 250psi, gave it a 2 year hydraulic certificate . One of the other testers nipped home to get his ultrasonic thickness tester and this showed all the plates to be at least 6mm thick. The boiler actually looks new and can't have been used much in the past.  My brother then spent the next 2 weeks putting the loco back together and today we took it down the club to give it it's first run in 20 years! I drove it for a couple of hours on and off and I can only say it runs like a dream. It's really smooth, the regulator is light and gradual, and it just glides away from standing with barely a sound. The steam reverser needs looking at as the hydraulic locking doesn't do anything but we think it just needs the oil topping up. Consequently, we could only run the loco in full gear. One thing I noticed was that the boiler pressure remained very stable and I think that is due to the steel boiler. The thick steel holds the heat better than copper and so temperature fluctuations in the boiler are reduced.     My brother always looks dead serious when he's driving ;D The chimney is only a temporary one at the moment until the 'proper' one is fitted. It's really pleasing to see what was a neglected, scruffy loco come back to life again John |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2011 18:38:22 GMT
That looks great John, after seeing the first pictures I wouldn't have thought that it would look as good as it does now, and it works too....  Well done to you and your brother Pete |
|
steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
|
Post by steam4ian on Apr 7, 2011 22:16:14 GMT
G'day John That is a great job! Your brother looks so serious because he is worried about cinders and oil marks on his white slacks and shirt and light grey sweater! ;D I always wear a black shirt and dark jeans. Might try a white tie like drivers of yore on formal occasions. IMHO the steam pressure would stay up because the cylinders look small relative to the boiler diameter. Your boiler test experience is a good lesson on how it should be done. Regards Ian |
|
waggy
Statesman
Posts: 744
|
Post by waggy on Apr 8, 2011 8:01:02 GMT
Hello John, Good to see her in action, Brother has been busy! Waggy.  |
|
|
|
Post by Shawki Shlemon on Apr 8, 2011 9:58:30 GMT
Well done John/brother , that is what the hobby is about , not only building models but restoring is as important as building , I know someone in the club who buys locos and restore , run them for a while and then rebuild them to a much better condition.another aspect of the hobby.
|
|
Just got to get it home now. I couldn't even lift the front end! The steel boiler doesn't help and the frames are 1/2" solid steel.
