loco
Member
Posts: 1
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Post by loco on May 24, 2010 10:18:55 GMT
Hi there.
I'm curious as to what might cause my 5" Marie Estelle to lose half her steam pressure (from 80PSI down to 40PSI) in a matter of 10 meters (about 20 seconds) when easing the speed regulator open. It takes minutes for the steam to recover, despite the water level being fine and the firebox being well stoked and burning cleanly.
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Post by jgb7573 on May 24, 2010 17:01:40 GMT
All sorts of questions spring to mind. Does it chuff well up the chimney as it travels along the track? Is there a leak of air into the smokebox (door not fitting properly, gap around the blast pipe etc.)? How much water is there in the boiler (half way up the gauge glass, or more, or less)? Can air get into the bottom of the fire (through the fire bars) easily? Does the firehole door close well? Is there any leakage of steam that you can see anywhere when you open the regulator?
I certainly wouldn't expect you to lose boiler pressure like that.
John
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Post by baggo on May 24, 2010 17:32:16 GMT
The sudden loss of pressure does sugest a steam leak somewhere. Can you see/hear steam coming from the chimney when the regulator is opened but before the loco starts to move? The valves may not be seating properly or the piston packing may be leaking.
John
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Post by railwaydog on May 29, 2010 16:26:01 GMT
hi chaps i had problem with a 3.1/2 gauge william just like the above, turned out to be steam forcing its way under side valve and up the exhaust, no power, 80 psi to 30 in 100 yds, fixed by takeing a leaf out of a small leaf spring and fixing to under side of steam chest cover to hold valve down cheers ian
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