Hi

[ianb]

Hi I thought I would say hello, I have a nearly completed Simplex that was originally started sometime in the early 1970,s.
The boiler has just passed hydrolic test and I hope to steam it up over christmas ready for a steam check at the club.
I have had a amazing adventure over the last months with every spare moment often till silly oclock am putting this loco together from really just a bunch of parts. This is my first steam railway loco and it has all happened in the kitchen on the worktop between cooking and looking after the family.
some parts machined up by a friend but mainly my own fingers.

Happy Christmas.

Ian.

[Deleted]

Dec 17, 2012 0:05:46 GMT ianb said:

This is my first steam railway loco and it has all happened in the kitchen on the worktop between cooking and looking after the family.
Happy Christmas.

Ian.

Welcome Ian! I look forward to some pics of 'Crepes a la Simplex!"
JB

[Deleted]

+1 on John's welcome, we love pictures on this forum Ian..

regards

Pete

[Shawki Shlemon]

Ian , Merry Christmas and happy and successful steaming .

[ianb]

Hi and a Happy new Year.
My Simplex had its first outing today at crawley model engineers track.
It was very successful with its first fire and steam up! but alas one of the safety valves was playing up and the steam tester said call it a day and the fire was dumped.
One of the guys has lent me a rolling road and as soon as I got home I was stripping down the safetys and cleaning the balls with autosol. Steam up number 2 got me up to about 70psi before I opened the regulator and loved seeing those wheels turn and the ploom of steam and smoke raise into the sky. Brilliant and well chuffed, next try will be Sunday back at the track.

If anybody is interested I have a few pics of the build up to this I will post up but for now her is the Simplex in the bay after dumping the fire.

[ianb]

The Morning Steam up on New Years day.





All the best for the new year.

Regards....Ian

[Jim]

Welcome Ian,

Looks to be a lovely club site you have there Ian and your Simplex looks rather nice too, all round a very pleasant day would have been had.

Jim

[Shawki Shlemon]

Small problems will be ironed out and you will have a good engine . I like the idea of not having the bunker tank , giving more room in the cab .Happy steaming .

[Rex Hanman]

Nice one Ian, a good feeling isn't it?

Now, a white engine, and it looks like you are drawing ectoplasm from the chimney.....is it a ghost train?

Just think how good it will feel to ride behind it. Well done, and what a good start to the year.

[russell]

Very nicely done - just shows what can be acheived in a modest workshop!

Russell.

[cplmickey]

Yes agreed it's a great looking engine. I wish my Simplex looked as impressive.

[Deleted]

another '[ nice loco' from me....we like build threads on this forum so by all means show us details of your build.

regards

Pete

[ianb]

Hi again Gents, I have been very busy with the Simplex and thought it time to update this post. I have had a few problems and I am still not completely happy with it. My injector was one that I seem to be getting to grips with but I think I would like to install and axle pump and another inlet into the boiler.

I still need to install a lever system for the drain cocks as at the moment they are manual and a bit hit and miss.

Time has been taken up lately with building a driving car so as to be able to visit other railways.

If I have not said before the help I have recieved from the Crawley Model Engineers has been brilliant, Encouragment and advice even help with machining and silver soldering.

The loco has been on its first exibition display which made me very proud when it gained much attention.

So a few more jobs, plenty of running servicing and polishing. Hopefully Bank holiday Monday will be a chance to prove it passenger hauling.

Some video was captured on last Sunday, quite unexpected from a family member and posted up on the Tube which again makes me quite proud of this lovely little loco that hopefully go on for years and serve those that care for it very well.

All the best till next time....Ian

youtu.be/kRqRUNNqRW0

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kRqRUNNqRW0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[russell]

Very impressive Ian. Must get back to working on mine soon.

Russell.

[Deleted]

Hello Chaps------- Ian, may I also add my congratulations ??......... When I first saw it on the screen I thought it was in a Desert sand Colour.. So here's an idea }------- how about finishing it as a WD or Army locomotive with various "military" items fitted etc ??...those cabside No. plates already look the part !!

[kaithny]

Wow nice nice..I love the design of the train.

[ronhancock]

Well done Ian very encouraging i am about to build my Super Simplex never built one from scratch before.
It looks a real nice Loco hope mine will be as nice fingers Crossed