LBSC Britannia refurbishment

[neilcwebb]

I recently acquired a 3 ½ “ Britannia. The loco had been steamed once and has been sitting on a shelf for 30 years due to the builder’s untimely passing. It is beautifully built and runs like clockwork on the bench under steam. The only real work required was repacking the valve stem seals. Today I introduced it to the track, only to discover that the rings are not functional and the pistons blow past with no traction. I do not have any drawings. Can anyone guide me as to how the cylinder covers are retained? I haven’t tuned the loco turtle yet, but there is no visible means of fixing looking from the outside

[ettingtonliam]

Jul 21, 2024 16:45:29 GMT neilcwebb said:

I recently acquired a 3 ½ “ Britannia. The loco had been steamed once and has been sitting on a shelf for 30 years due to the builder’s untimely passing. It is beautifully built and runs like clockwork on the bench under steam. The only real work required was repacking the valve stem seals. Today I introduced it to the track, only to discover that the rings are not functional and the pistons blow past with no traction. I do not have any drawings. Can anyone guide me as to how the cylinder covers are retained? I haven’t tuned the loco turtle yet, but there is no visible means of fixing looking from the outside

Cylinder end covers are normally secured to the cylinder by a ring of screws, bolts or studs which sould be quite visible. If you can't see them, chances are a dummy cover has been fitted, probably fixed by a single central screw.

given the age of the loco and the lack of use, it might have graphited yarn packing to the pistons which has dried out. Alternatively if it does have rings they may just be stuck.

[ettingtonliam]

Oh yes, welcome to the group but you might get a better response if you move the post to 'general chat'

[dhamblin]

The build notes called for 1/4" graphited yarn packing with a scarf joint, but as Liam says better to open up and check.

Regards,