smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Jan 7, 2023 16:44:52 GMT
I'll start a thread on this project now. I am not at all sure this loco has ever seen a fire so I'm calling the thread "Commissioning" rather than re-building or whatever.
Delighted to say the boiler sailed through the 2xWP hydraulic test today.
I'll put some photos up of where it is now and how it goes back together in due course.
Have to say it feels like Christmas again to achieve this stage after a lot of frustration and fiddling about for quite a few months.
Pete.
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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 Jan 16, 2023 7:54:13 GMT
Ordered a new pressure gauge which is just 20mm diameter.
Any tips for getting it apart to mark a red line at WP? Really nervous about wrecking this very small item!
Pete.
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Post by GWR 101 on Jan 16, 2023 8:24:37 GMT
Hi Pete, hope you are well. The answer is VERY carefully, I managed to crack the glass on mine whilst taking the front off. Fortunately as I was a regular at the time at my suppliers they sent me a replacement glass. Incidentally I used a Sharpie pen to mark mine. Hope it all goes well. Regards Paul
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uuu
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Post by uuu on Jan 16, 2023 8:34:00 GMT
Although you have to be careful, it should be straightforward. There's usually a tiny screw on each side. Once removed, the top cover slides off with the glass. Screwing some kind of fitting to the inlet might make the base easier to hold.
Your boiler inspector might be OK with a red line on the glass.
Wilf
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Post by GWR 101 on Jan 16, 2023 8:56:47 GMT
Hi Pete I can't speak for boiler testers but when I have mine tested at the club I have membership they preferred the mark to be on the inside to avoid any accidental movement of the glass or retaining collar.
They also like to test the gauge as a stand alone item to check how accurate it is, mine was deemed to be within a couple of percent. They definitely have better eyesight than me because like you my gauge was only 20mm diameter. They periodically check Bridget's gauge and it has always been found to be ok. Paul
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uuu
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your message here...
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Post by uuu on Jan 16, 2023 9:12:29 GMT
This from the UK boiler test code 2018 (which seems to rule out marking on the glass as I previously suggested):
6.10 Boiler pressure gauge:
All boilers shall be fitted with a pressure gauge that is functional
at all times whilst the boiler is being steamed. The boiler’s own
pressure gauge shall be checked against the calibrated pressure
test gauge (paragraph 6.9) and indelibly marked with the working
pressure of the boiler as a red line on the dial of the gauge (or an
immoveable point on the bezel if access to the dial is not
possible) at the point indicated by the test gauge.
Wilf
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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 Jan 16, 2023 10:19:59 GMT
Got the gauge apart and made a red line with a biro. The indicator jumped off the tiny shaft so put that back on and now it's all re-assembled.
Hopefully try it at the club on Saturday on the club test rig.
Thank you for help Paul and Wilf.
Pete.
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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 Jan 17, 2023 19:36:08 GMT
Well I seemed to get away with doing some work on the kitchen table today, slowly and carefully putting some of the fittings back on the boiler.
Not sure how I got away with it, can't recall earning any brownie points. Mmmm, need to watch out.
Pete.
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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 Jan 26, 2023 20:50:29 GMT
Well life goes on in the ME world. My boss is away so the kitchen table is proving very handy,
Bit of to and fro getting the superheater and blower pipe in place. All a tight fit and I got the sequence wrong to re-fit them - surprise surprise! Not.
Almost ready to re-mount the boiler now. Had to fettle the little fixing brackets at the side of the firebox too.
Think I'll quit for tonight.
Oiled everything a couple of days ago and it's all turning over very smoothly with a nice pop of the exhaust too.
Pete.
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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 Oct 29, 2023 11:32:20 GMT
Glad to say the kitchen table has been in use again.
After many months of zero happening I'm at last getting things back together. That said I did take it to someone with a compressor to run it on air which it did very successfully.
Just out of curiosity 2 weeks ago I put a post on some local Railway Facebook pages and arranged a small display at a nearby café, to see if anyone fancied a look at the engine and a natter. I was amazed that 3 people turned up and we had a fine old chinwag for about 2 hours. As a result I've been invited to display the engine at a local Model Railway show in December which will be a nice incentive to get some progress and I'm looking forward to it.
Pete.
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Post by suctionhose on Nov 8, 2023 21:18:16 GMT
Had friends who were painting a vintage car out in the barn. Mother, whom kept the house spotless, went away for a week.
The boys (husband incl) brought doors, mudguards etc up to the house to rub the paint back in the warmth of the kitchen.
Being legends, they cleaned up like never before... but forgot the tops of cupboards.
They got caught big time!!!
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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 Nov 9, 2023 8:47:42 GMT
Had friends who were painting a vintage car out in the barn. Mother, whom kept the house spotless, went away for a week. The boys (husband incl) brought doors, mudguards etc up to the house to rub the paint back in the warmth of the kitchen. Being legends, they cleaned up like never before... but forgot the tops of cupboards. They got caught big time!!! Remarkably this is in full view of the boss. I think it's because of the compact dimensions of the engine and the rather nice green paint. Anything else gets a scowl and comments that I thankfully can't hear as I'm a bit deaf these days. Pete. |
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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 Nov 9, 2023 8:49:38 GMT
A very rare event is coming up in 2 days. A dry Saturday.
Hoping to take her down the club and steam up for what looks like the first time in the engine's life.
Pete.
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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 Nov 11, 2023 19:53:09 GMT
Got a nice bright fire going in what seemed like no time in comparison with a large 7.25 Bagnall.
Unfortunately plenty of leaking clacks and non-functioning steam and blower valves meant no pressure could build up and I halted proceedings. The hand pump came apart too in what looks like a soldered side tank - could be a tricky one.
Prior to this exercise I prepped the Bagnall for Winter so pleased to get that done. Really glad I didn't move her on now, she's a cracking loco to fire and drive and was a reasonable price for a big bit of kit.
All in all a very positive day in the cold sunshine.
Pete.
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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 Nov 14, 2023 21:44:47 GMT
I think I have managed to fix the hand-pump. Tucked well inside the side tank.
The old story of wall papering the hall through the letterbox came to mind.
Pete.
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