Newbie

[tigermoth]

Hi.

Have just found this site.

I started modeling in 1977 with a drive to that wonderful model place in Hertford begining with K, and asking the man for the plans for a GWR King, " Are you an engineer" "have you built a loco before" "why do you want to build a King" were the first three questions he asked me, when I said "no I drive a tipper" "no have no idea on engineering" Because I like the look of the King, he then said do I have a workshop to which I answered "no I live in a flat, anyway once he pronounced me as mad as a plate of frogs I finally convinced him to sell me the plans and frame steel, he was still shaking his head when I left the shop.

I started on the frames with two G clamps a hacksaw, electric drill, some files and a school rule, took me weeks to turn those two pieces of steel into a pair of frames, finally found a lathe in the scrap metal we transported up and down the country, to cut this long story very short, I finally changed jobs and moved to Doncaster where we started a Model Engineering Society in a local pub where I met the great Roy Bairstow who answered all my stupid questions with great patience and I finished up with a fully painted tender (1500 odd rivets later) with working water scoop and a tested on air chassis, I then had to sell all my workshop and King for reasons I will not go into here, would love to trace that King, only things I know about it were that the bloke I sold it to passed it on to a loco clearing house who sold it on to (they could not tell me).

Between 1977 and 1982 I was in constant touch with Kennions with changes for the plans that I found needed modifying  and also doing the artwork on the tender works plate for which I was given a free cast plate.


Anyway Roy died early this year and I acquired his 5ins Firefly that he built years ago which has awakened the urge to get it working again, I do not have a workshop again and nearly 80 have no intention of getting one, so would like to ask where can I get a new regulator built as this one is seized solid, I intend to try to change the reversing lever over to the proper side etc. where can I get a set of plans from please.

Thanks for reading my drivel.

[cplmickey]

Hi tigermoth, welcome to the forum.

Not sure on the drawings but I would have thought if the reverser is already in place then you could sketch up a modification based on what's there to change it over.

Regulators often stick when not in use especially if it was left in the fully closed position. Ideally you need the boiler checking over and testing but you could try filling it with water and building a small fire to warm things up to see if the regulator will free off. Could even use a propane torch rather than coal just to raise the temperature a little. keep the pressure low and you should be ok if careful.

Is there anyone in the club who could help?

Ian

[tigermoth]

Hi Ian.

Thanks for the welcome, will try to be a useful member.

Took the regulator out of the boiler and finally freed the cone by stripping it down and putting it over the gas flame and eventually it moved, I damaged one of the flanges ( as the bloke who built it would say " taking it from together" ) so will have to get a new flange made, not a big problem.

Will know more on the reversing lever when I get it mounted on the frame I made on Monday to be able to turn it over.

Norman.

[Deleted]

Hi Norman

Welcome to the forum, hopefully, you'll get and issues with your 'Firefly' sorted soon and get her steaming again.

Good luck

Pete