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Post by taycat on Jul 1, 2015 7:00:51 GMT
does anyone know where i can get set of instructions for steaming up an engine?
want to be able to memorise it/ keep handy as ref, as due to my shift pattern's don't get to get club on lot of running days.
and tend to forget in between times.
cheers
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Post by springcrocus on Jul 1, 2015 7:59:26 GMT
Do a Google search for "Steve Addy short driving course" and you will get a link to the ME site and onwards from there. Might be useful but I don't know for sure 'cos I can't drive a loco...
Steve
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Post by Jim on Jul 1, 2015 8:08:13 GMT
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Post by taycat on Jul 1, 2015 15:25:29 GMT
great cheers
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Post by Roger on Jul 1, 2015 16:15:35 GMT
Very wise because I was shown how it's done by an old hand who rapidly had to drop the fire when I asked about the water.... Erm.... what water!
Anyone can get absent minded. I think they usually leave that club locomotive filled with water, but on this occasion they hadn't. Oops!
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Post by alanstepney on Jul 1, 2015 16:15:45 GMT
There is a book by Brian Hollingsworth, which I am told can be useful to those learning about driving trains.
Not sure of the title, but something like "How to drive a steam locomotive", or similar.
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Post by bobpendleton on Jul 1, 2015 17:12:07 GMT
There is a book by Brian Hollingsworth, which I am told can be useful to those learning about driving trains. Not sure of the title, but something like "How to drive a steam locomotive", or similar. Spot on! First published 1979, reprinted 1987, 1988, Guild Publishing by arrangement with the Architectural Press Limited. Cannot see an ISBN number bp |
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Post by AndrewP on Jul 1, 2015 17:25:43 GMT
How to drive a steam locomotive ISBN 0-906525-03-9 , less useful than it sounds imho.
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Post by ejparrott on Jul 1, 2015 17:32:26 GMT
Agree
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Dave H
Involved Member
Posts: 91
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Post by Dave H on Jul 2, 2015 12:57:42 GMT
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Dave H
Involved Member
Posts: 91
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Post by Dave H on Jul 2, 2015 13:01:51 GMT
The Hollingsworth book is interesting, but not as interesting as the Black Book, I also have this in my Library.
LOCOMOTIVE MANAGEMENT by J.T. HODGSON
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,901
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Post by jma1009 on Jul 4, 2015 23:37:07 GMT
the Brian Hollingsworth book is IMHO very good plus includes LBSC's description of how to steam up and fire and drive a miniature loco, so saves you buying the book on constructing 'TICH' that contains this description.
there is im afraid no substitute for experience of driving, and watching and learning from old hands who know what they are doing (just dont pick up bad habits from old hands who dont know what they are doing!)
i think most clubs have a test regime for tyro drivers, and you would fail this 'test' if you pulled out a load of notes to refer to!
most of us who have been at this lark for awhile and also have an interest in fullsize steam have a copy of the 'black book' that Dave refers to (im not referring to the 'black' 1950 BR rule book which we have also had to study!) the 'black book' contains a few nuggets of gold that assist when driving miniature locos but the golden rule is fire 'little and often' and in the right place, (and learn how to fire 'on the run'), always put the injectors on when steam pressure is high, and know how your coal burns and what the difference is between a black fire and a fire with holes or is nearly burnt through!
listen to the loco - it will tell you what it wants, and watch the chimney for the colour of the smoke.
cheers,
julian
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Post by Roger on Jul 5, 2015 5:25:34 GMT
Being very much a beginner, I agree that there is no substitute for experience, preferably on different locomotives in different scenarios. When it's all new, it's easy to be obsessed with the water level because we're very aware that catastrophe awaits those who let it fall too low. That tends to lead the beginner to add water when it's detrimental to steam pressure and can take attention away from the fire. I've made many mistakes in my short driving life but I've been left to find out the hard way and figure it out for myself with a few pointers when I've been struggling.
There's a huge difference between running light round a level track and a train load of passengers that has to be reversed up a punishing incline at a fete where you're at the limits of power and adhesion. Forgetting to crack the blower on the long descent, or adding water can lead to embarrassment and a 'blow up' at the bottom. Reading the vital signs of water level, pressure and the state of the fire are crucial if you need maximum power at any given point.
Things are slowly becoming more natural but I've got an awful long way to go before I'd consider myself competent as a driver in all circumstances. Initially you're overwhelmed by the things you need to attend to, but gradually you do things more automatically and you don't get flustered when the water level is lower than you want. Knowing how fast things like that change and how much coal a locomotive uses are not obvious and you have to get to know the locomotive you're driving.
It's proven to be a lot more challenging than I expected and I'm pleased about that. It's a lot more interesting when you have to keep on your toes.
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