Andy's 4"dcc road loco

Well done Andy, family (& Kev). All the little hassles will sort themselves out OK given a bit of time.

The left hand wheel issue may be most easily resolved if you turn a bit off the outer collar. I rebated mine by about a millimetre, so that it snuggled in against the wheel casting a bit tighter and also ground a flat on the locking pin so that it could go in easily without graunching up the paintwork. Take care to keep the diff assembly tight, with virtually no slde slack, otherwise it may become very clunky with wear.

Happy steaming!

Tim

Well done Andy, all you need now is a couple of steam apprentices to clean it.

Mike

Hi Andy,

Well done on your first steam

I had an issue with my pump not picking up, which turn out to be an imperfection in the cast (bottom chamber). The inlet (at the top of the cast, not sure what it is called) was cleaned up and I used a slightly bigger ball baring instead of the one supplied, which resolved the problem. If you need more info on the pump, PM me and I will give you call (as my description is a bit woolly)

My safety valve had to be re-silver soldered, as the base of the first chimney was passing, so I would also check that.

As Kev has probably told you 100s of times, these are a pain when first steamed, I even removed my crankshaft at the weekend to chase down a knocking...  

Anyway, your engine looks good, so good luck resolving the problems and hopefully see you at a rally.

All the best,

Brian M

Hi Brian
The problem with the saftey vavle is the centre hole were the fixing is for the spring ive used a hand counter sink just to make sure there are no burrs. As for water pump the casting in the top were the ball sits there are a couple of imperfections but i have spoken to steve and im going to try a couple things first.

What are you going to try Andy?

I think I have the same problem, was thinking trying to re machine the valve seat or maybe make up an insert.

Had a thought of using something like jb weld to fill in the imperfections but not sure if that be strong enough or stay put.

Thoughts from anyone would be most welcome

Thanks

Kev

iv re machined the ball seat and it now holds water in the top chamber so thats more than it did on saturday so im making progress. Iv also got the left wheel on i machined 1.16 mm of the collar but now iv got to take brake blocks off and take off 2mm off so they miss the inside of the wheel..

Yep, that all sounds par for the course! Modify one bit and another follows - still, it's good fun isn't it?

Tim

Next steaming is not looking good as I've been keeping an I on the forecast and it's strong winds and rain.

Hi Andy I see u had a steam up well done mate hope u sort the little problems out, the engine is looking really good well done. The weather should get better soon

Next steaming is tomorrow weather's looking good most of the leaks are done( fingers crossed) but the only ones i can't seem to stop are saftey vavles & sight glass   .

safety valve. if you get some high temp liquid gasket like heldite. run some round the nut underneath. then it should squeeze in and seal up if you steam the next day.

Hi lynn already tried that idea .

Give it an hour or so and this should be processed. Second much calmer steaming, most of the issues have cleared, still cant get the water pump to do anything which is very annoying, need more gland packing but thats on its way. Had an inital issue where it just wouldn't turn over so ran as single to prove it works and as soon as the lp side was back in play just no good. Turns out Andy had put the eccentrics on wrong way round so HP was running forwards and LP was running in reverse!!! Easy to do after the messing about during the week to get things cleared up. Steam leak has gone from the safety valve which is good. Next week should be even better!! I think he got in about 6 hours running which is loosening things up nicely now.

Steam Test next ready for the new season ( if it isnt washed away !!!! )

Andy, Looks and sounds a lot better. To be fair it will take a full season to get things sorted, you have to understand this or you will fall out of love with the engine. If you have a push pole get Kev's engine and pull it for a fare few miles that will help once you are happy with the set up. Last year my engine was tight and sounded like a pig. At Onslow Steam rally I had 13 people being pulled on trailers plus another 4" engine in tow. I was nervous to say the lease but I must have had 400+ plus years combined experience telling me it was okay and after that the engine was not the same. It ran smooth and now is a dream to drive, before that it banged/knocked and drove like a pig ask BlackBeard.

It was a sight to see, the engine in 2nd gear going up a hill barking its head off with that many people on board.

Keep with it and look forward to road running with you and the Kev at Brian's 50th bash.


Dwain

Well up early this morning  I was filling up with water at 7.30 got every thing ready for 10 o'clock lite up so started at 9.30 
Had a few friends round(6) which makes things even more nervous  trying to make 6 cups of tea and watch the engine. Has Kevyn as said a couple of small issues water pump not picking up and water gauge letting by when it's cold but has a small leak when in steam. There is a small knocking which when everybody had left I was able to relax and investigate properly and it turns out be water pump eccentric and low pressure eccentric are just touching each other so need to move over 2mm. Safety valves are ok just need back the nut off as it's blowing off at 185psi wasn't a bad guess the first time they went off  everything was covered in water. I did how ever to keep at 160psi for the rest of the afternoon and finished at 5 o'clock the engine  stop running at 30psi so next week should be even smoother .so all in all a bloody good day.
Il try and upload a video later.

Good show!

I presume the six cups of tea were made in the Windermere kettle?

Tim

No I've yet to plum it in once the engine is running smooth  ill sort it out.

Looking good.

As you say still very tight but will loosen off but keep an eye on those bearings and eccentrics!

  

Well done Andy, a few more steps forward, it does take a while to get everything tickty-boo. Looks like you will soon be running formally and to be honest, you don't need an event to enjoy your new creation if the weather is OK - it is more fun having a run out local to your home with a few friends. find some space away from the road and have some time driving the engine once you get the pump working etc..

Hoping for another steaming this weekend but first i'm sending back the water pump and water gauge fittings as iv done everything i can so steve is going to have a look . The video kev has put up in reverse so the begining of the video is when was running smoother .

Hi Andy,

I've had trouble with my water pump since day one. First one was porous the second one was bypassing into the back tank even when the pump was on.
My boiler inspector picked up on the problem in November and it seems the bypass valve actually lets by when pumping. To prove this, we disconnected the return pipe into the tender and with the pump on, water was coming back down this pipe. After tightening up the bypass valve, it helped, but he thinks the fit of the stainless valve in the body is crucial. If it was on a taper, it would be more able to take out wear and reduce the chance of water bypassing round the valve.
It does seem ok now though, I think sometimes it still lets by when pumping. Maybe one for Steve to answer ?

Cheers

Rick

Just watching it brought a smile to my face.  Very welldone Andy looks and sounds great. You must be over the moon.

Thanks Rob. Yes im very  couple more steamings and some small adjustments . Myself and kevyn are having steam test on 15th march a week before i go on my boating holiday so i should be relaxed and not have worry anymore.

"worry anymore"........you will...         

I know I still do...    

Well had anonther steam up today of to a slow start the low pressure valve was not sitting against the valve chest because the valve rod was slightly bent so after a couple of hours its 99% straight. So had about 5 .1/2 hours steaming also found another leak after last week taking the belly tank off looks like the other side is now leaking . il keep   ing