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Post by delaplume on Dec 18, 2018 20:50:31 GMT
I've posted this just to show how little you have to do to get a good run-------What's not known is the load it's pulling ...........Enjoy !! -----------> -------------> www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwrInH-_WMI
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Lisa
Statesman
Posts: 806
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Post by Lisa on Dec 18, 2018 22:01:16 GMT
Nice loco, shame about the racetrack speeds.
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Post by coniston on Dec 18, 2018 22:45:21 GMT
Yes, also shame about the use of the shovel to move the controls, beware doing that I've seen more than one gauge glass accidently broken mid run by drivers a bit hamfisted with the shovel. much better to make remote controls if leaning forward is found to be difficult.
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Post by suctionhose on Dec 19, 2018 1:44:33 GMT
Certainly brave belting through 7 1/4"g points at that speed!
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Post by Jim on Dec 19, 2018 4:45:55 GMT
Nice loco, shame about the racetrack speeds. I agree Lisa. Sadly you see it time and again, fine scale model locomotives being driven flat chat at scale VFT speeds.
Jim
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Post by steamer5 on Dec 19, 2018 7:56:05 GMT
Nice loco, shame about the racetrack speeds. I agree Lisa. Sadly you see it time and again, fine scale model locomotives being driven flat chat at scale VFT speeds.
Jim
Hi Jim, When we are young & dumb you just got to do stupid things to see how much pain is involved! I was away on a club open weekend & got the ok to try a hi speed run.....5” ground level track.....boy to corners come up quick at 30 k’s!!!! Didnt sufferer any pain, but haven’t done it since.......nice & sedate is much more pleasurable! Cheers Kerrin
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,906
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Post by JonL on Dec 19, 2018 8:27:12 GMT
Yes, also shame about the use of the shovel to move the controls, beware doing that I've seen more than one gauge glass accidently broken mid run by drivers a bit hamfisted with the shovel. much better to make remote controls if leaning forward is found to be difficult.
I've got massive hands; I plan to make my controls easily operated at the expense of realism. It's a shame but I'd rather be in control, which with my bunch of banana hands is difficult with scale fittings!
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Post by suctionhose on Dec 19, 2018 12:16:47 GMT
The beauty of 5"g in my opinion is that is the perfect compromise between size and getting your hands on the controls. 3 1/2"g is too small hence the thrashing around the elevated that they generally receive. Extension controls may well be essential for operation but, personally, I wouldn't do it if I didn't feel the heat on my fingers! Of course 3 1/2 was big in it's day. Old fellas at the club tell of bringing their engines to the track in a suitcase on the tram or strapped to the petrol tank of their motorcycles...times have changed! The attached clip was several years ago. It features my 50 class 2-8-0 (5148), now in the good hands of another dedicated owner. For me, the model was a legacy of a 'big day out' on the footplate as a 10 year old in the last year of steam on NSWGR. delaplume is right in that, once equilibrium is established, i.e. the fire is right, the throttle is right, the feed is started, the driver can sit back and ride. But remember that the ease with which this happens on a steam locomotive remains a direct reflection of the skill and good judgement of the crew. Enjoy! www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k3-vonq7SE
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Post by delaplume on Dec 19, 2018 16:56:50 GMT
Oh JOY-OF-JOYS !!---------Now THAT's what I like to see & hear !!...........My GWR 28xx 2-8-0 is currently having a bit of a mini-rebuild at the rear end of the loco following a PO's butchering work on the drag beam...
Don't these 8 and 10 coupled freight locos inspire confidence with their surefooted and powerful behavior.... You can even hear the difference as the train goes up a curved incline and over some points to join the main line...
Yes, even a nice tidy footplate as well------BRAVO !!!
Enjoy ??---------I certainly did ------I've just played it 4 times and even put my tea on "hold" in order to do so !!
Many thanks Ross------ this ought to be compulsory viewing for all newcomers if only to demonstrate that knowing when NOT to do something is just as important as knowing when TO do something...
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,070
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Post by stevep on Dec 19, 2018 17:15:09 GMT
As we are posting videos of both good and bad driving, here is a short video of the Stanier 2-6-4T I built. It is now under the ownership of someone else, although the owner isn't driving it in this video. www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExNIOPzmgx4The driver is maintaining a realistic speed, and the exhaust beats are clearly audible, but he's still in full gear, when I know the engine will run in mid-gear when running light. It ought to be notched up.
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,900
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Post by jma1009 on Dec 20, 2018 0:41:51 GMT
I have not been very impressed by the youtube videos except Ross's clip double heading a long heavy train.
Seems like many Drivers completely fail to understand how coal burns (and quite quickly in a miniature locomotive), and what expansive working and 'notching' up the valve gear achieves. I am reminded of a trip with Freddie Dinnis (of miniature pressure gauge fame) in his car with an automatic gear box where the gearbox didn't go above 3rd gear!
When I started this lark at the age of 16 I had only a bicycle, and did not pass my driving test till I was 25, but I knew how to drive a car in 4th gear, and use the Sturmey Archer gears on my bike to use top 3rd gear!
I particularly remember the IWMES having their portable track set up at the 'Ryde Rail Festival' in 1986. It was located alongside where once the Ryde loco shed existed, and we offered free rides all weekend. The queues were long, and when you got back to the station after a double trip you had to be ready to move off again straightaway. No stop for a blow up, or mess around with the fire or anything else. It was quite a memorable occasion, as Arthur Grimmett was present both days to supervise us youngsters - Arthur having run a commercial 5"g railway at Sandown during 12 long summers till 1963, when any failure or halt in the service was quite simply unforgivable and it was a matter of honour (and income) to maintain the service.
We did a double trip. "There and back - to see where you've been!" announced Arthur each time in deep low sonorous tones, same as he did some 23 - 35 years earlier at Sandown. Woe betide any of us who did not keep up to Arthur's expectations of us!
Cheers,
Julian
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Tony K
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,572
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Post by Tony K on Dec 20, 2018 10:01:51 GMT
I think this is a progression with experience thing - with a bit of 'what do I want to achieve' built in.
I think most people, at the start, are grateful to be shown and be able to fire-up and make it round the track. In my case, club members showed me how to do this and I set off, getting experience. Members had been very brave and generous in letting me 'drive' their loco round the track but that got me only so far in the experience game - usually one circuit starting with a full fire and a boiler well full of water. I now try to return the favour with others and can see the risk is not so great as previously thought - especially if I meet them half way round just to check.
So, I got to the point where I had enough courage to attempt public running with the club Simplex. I can remember keeping the fire just below the hole and blowing off loads of steam, but that was secondary to the humiliation of running out of steam. On reflection, confidence started to grow, especially as the Simplex has an axle pump delivering at least twice the requirement. Steadily, getting more confidence, I was able to reduce the depth of fire and start to think about ideals. Some of this was done at times when nobody else was around and I could experiment. Amazing what I learned the first time I was on my own!
I think it is the confidence which allows you to experiment and get the best results. Then came the firing on the move, having 'mastered' it for single circuits - try five. I benefited from the results of my own firing then. I see firing on the move now as essential. A graph of boiler output might then look like dc with a slight ac ripple on the top, rather than the large amplitude sawtooth when I had less experience - please forgive my electrical background. I understand some, because of physical issues, may not be able to fire on the move - but if you can it helps all round. Like I say, a little and often, just like the sex life.
That's me, still learning but better than when I started. What more to ask except people need to lighten up about it, relax and enjoy it more. Some are happy in, having built or acquired a loco, are content to be able to get round the track on their own at a club gathering and want no more than that - we all have to respect that.
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,906
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Post by JonL on Dec 20, 2018 11:30:04 GMT
Your last statement rings a bell with me. This is supposed to be fun, and although I want to be as technically proficient as possible, and boilers are not to be trifled with, I am primarily in this because I want to enjoy it... part of that enjoyment will come with building skills, but that has been coming through the friendly encouragement of my club. Sometimes I think people take it so seriously that they suck the joy from it, especially with some of the more scathing attitudes I've experienced.
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Lisa
Statesman
Posts: 806
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Post by Lisa on Dec 20, 2018 11:42:25 GMT
My brother and I were always at complete opposite ends of the spectrum (in life as well as driving, but never mind).
He would keep the fire stacked to the bottom of the door, maybe a bit higher. Always used the axlepump, or hand pump, and practically never used the injector. Would not get underway till the safeties had lifted, and always ran in full gear. He only fired when stopped at the station; he'd rake the fire half to death then pile more coal in.
On the other hand, I kept the fire thin (and on some occasions deliberately fired a hole in the fire, so as to keep the safeties from lifting). Used the injector almost exclusively, usually on the run (likewise, usually firing on the run). I'd be happy with anything over 60 on the clock and would bring the reverser back two notches once underway.
Taking over from my brother it could be 15 minutes or so before I'd even touch the fire sometimes, just letting it burn down. Meanwhile he'd get in a grumpy panic if I handed over to him with anything less than 90psi.
Dad though was somewhere in the middle; he ran a light fire like me, but preferred the safeties to lift before getting underway. He'd use the axle pump, but top up with the injector when needed. Sometime he'd notch up, sometimes he wouldn't.
We were a mixed trio, but while I'd grump at dad and my brother for wasting water with the safeties blowing off, dad'd grump at my brother about the cost of coal, and my brother would grump at us for the fire being almost out(!?), ultimately we all got the job done, and with our little loco's there isn't that much difference in coal and water usage.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 11:43:18 GMT
Your last statement rings a bell with me. This is supposed to be fun, and although I want to be as technically proficient as possible, and boilers are not to be trifled with, I am primarily in this because I want to enjoy it... part of that enjoyment will come with building skills, but that has been coming through the friendly encouragement of my club. Sometimes I think people take it so seriously that they suck the joy from it, especially with some of the more scathing attitudes I've experienced. Just take such comments with a 'pinch of salt' Nobby, you'll probably find those with the loudest voice have never built a steam loco themselves...lol Pete
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Post by delaplume on Dec 20, 2018 12:51:34 GMT
Quote}-- "Sometimes I think people take it so seriously that they suck the joy from it, especially with some of the more scathing attitudes I've experienced." You and me both matey !!..... And this is good advice-----Quote}--"Just take such comments with a 'pinch of salt' Nobby, you'll probably find those with the loudest voice have never built a steam loco themselves"...lol Just keep the wider picture in mind......However if you want to improve your verbal repertoire and beat them at their own game then I can recommend this}--------- www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acid-Drops-by-Kenneth-Williams-Dent-Hardback-1980/323606869788?hash=item4b587 ------ and the later additions........ Witty put-downs by the all-time master himself...
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Post by terrier060 on Dec 20, 2018 16:46:30 GMT
OK lads all this sophisticated driving is fine but there is a simple answer that I intend using on the Terriers. A large 32mm Sievert Burner No 2942 shoved through the firehole. Easy to control - too much steam, shut off the gas etc. What could be simpler!!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2018 16:49:29 GMT
OK lads all this sophisticated driving is fine but there is a simple answer that I intend using on the Terriers. A large 32mm Sievert Burner No 2942 shoved through the firehole. Easy to control - too much steam, shut off the gas etc. What could be simpler!! Hmm... depends if the nozzle is moving around the firebox, leave it in one position for too long and it could well burn a hole through it if too fierce. Pete
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Post by builder01 on Dec 20, 2018 17:18:49 GMT
A Sievert burner? Infidel!!!
David
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Dec 20, 2018 17:41:30 GMT
I have to say if some grumpy old fecker had given me grief as a youngster it would have been the end of my time at that club.
If it happened now, it would be the end of his time, period. (Unless he is bigger than me!)
Yes, for heaven's sake, it is a hobby, supposed to be about fun and enjoying yourself.
Pete.
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