1400xx = Running on air

[mott]

This is a question to current constructors of the ModelWorks Kit. I am just into the early stages of Kit 5 having fitted the wheels to the crank axle. I would like to run on air to test the previous work. Have others managed to do this so soon. I have the later kits to hand to borrow fittings if needed but I am wondering if its possible before the boiler and superheater are fitted.Any suggestions or experiences to recount please.Mott

[Phil Sutton]

Hi Mott.Yes you can run on air withoutboiler etc fitted.All you need is a low(ish) air supply,and fittings to screw into the valve chest.Also,it will help to block off the cylider drain cocks.Then connect the air supply to the cetral hole in the valve chest(steam in) turn on,adjust valve timing,and you should get the wheels turning.It will take some fiddling but it will work.Don't forget to lubricate the cylinders before you start,and that compressed air does not act like steam,so further adjustment will be needed when running on steam,although I can't see why you should not connect a portable steam supply,provided you arrange the exhaust to be run clear of the loco(health and safety!!) as soon as you've got it running on air.DON't FORGET the lubrication!!!!!

Good Luck Phil

[mott]

Hi Phil. well yes I ve just about got it on air. For about 30secs in one burst when the air was up at 60 lbs. Suddenly it roared away The piston are still very sticky and as I have the rings and piston blanks i am going to have a go at machining new pistons with cast iron rings. and yes coming back to the point about replacing the o rings of course I loctited the pistonr rods onto the piston as per the instructions!! Mott

[mott]

A final conclusion to this post!. The Reeves cast iron piston rings have been fitted to new pistons and the chassis has now run successfully on air. There was a problem with one piston when turning the wheels over by hand as when on forward or back dead centre the big end juddered. This finally traced to very slight mis-alignment of the slide bars which were pinching the crosshead at either end of its travel. I worry that the piston rod could be out of true but it now seems to run fine. I have some work to do to tighten up the sideways float on the big end. The only other side effect of the running on air was to demonstrate that one of the driving wheels was badly out of square with the axle. the coupling rod was also tight on that side which ought to have been a clue. I have removed the wheel from the crank axle and refitted with several rods measuring 4 11/16" as spacers between the wheels, this being the back to back measurement. The conclusion of those in my club who know best,is that the key was oversize and in pressing the wheel on the axle it forced it out of line.I had concluded the same and filed it down so I now hoping the locktite will do its work and all will be well. Referring to the posts about the winsom 14XX I think the Reeves cast iron rings should be fine and maybe he could get piston blanks which would limit the amount of machining and he could take the piston dimensions from the originals, cutting grooves allowed by the new rings. Not too difficult. If I can do it...! Mott.