Steam test, boiler certificate

[rogsteam1959]

Hello,
As I planed to go the Rhein Main steam club I was surprised th read they wanted a to see a valid boiler certificate. So I had a look at my certificate and saw it expired on October 5th.
I thought they will do a steam test before I can start and so I would have a new certificate. Nothing happens. They don't have some one who is doing tests. I've been asked if my safety valve are working and that was it.
My question is what I have to expect when I decide to visit a club with valid hydraulic certificate and expired steam certificate.
Will I have the chance to get the steam test done?
How can I get a valid steam certificate for my loco.
What would you do in my case?
Cheers
Michael

[ejparrott]

Depends where in the world you are. I think most members of this forum will be most knowledgeable about the UK rules.

[rogsteam1959]

I am in germany.

[ejparrott]

I can't much help then.

In the UK, you have to have the tests done at your own club, unless the committees of two clubs agree between them that you can have it done somewhere else. For visitors who come to Rugby and discover they have an expired steam test certificate but a valid hydraulic certificate, I am prepared to do a steam test there and then to allow them to run that day, but I only allow them to run, on that day, and provided the hydraulic is up to date, and I do not issue a certificate.

[rogsteam1959]

Thank you, for answer,
the best is then to ask the club i want to visit how they handle this case.
What will be tested with the steam test?
cheers
Michael

[ejparrott]

Again, because it's not UK, I can't really comment. Here we test that the safety valves hold the pressure within 10% of the working pressure, and test that there are at least 2 means of getting water in the boiler. The gauge glass blowdowns and isolating valves are also tested, which varies according to what's fitted to each engine.

[jma1009]

hi roger,

Ed's practice in the UK for visitors to his club is very pragmatic and a credit to him, and he has considerable experience and judgement in dealing with these matters.

i would recommend you get your steam test done by your club before your visit to Rhein Main steam club to avoid any problems.

otherwise you might find a big problem without someone like Ed being present! i do not know what the insurance requirements are in Germany. they are very strict in the UK. Ed 'takes a view' on these matters that i dont disagree with, but some other UK clubs would not be so helpful.

cheers,
julian