Mikes Road loco

A draining job but had to be done.




Also got the belly tank brackets changed over to the latest mod version. Tank remounted so I can sort the front bracket.

Ready for a steam test once the weather is not wet.

Good progress Lynn

Tidying up and putting tools away.

That is all.

Out.

What's weather like there today Lynn is the tools getting in the way

Hi Mike

Weather wet and very cold.

Tidy up and tools away was a hint. But turns out to be a bit early.

She is very close to complete. Just cotter pins to put in all over the motion. I have also cut the belly tank front mount ready to hot glue a bit in to make it fit the new rear tank mountings. Putting the tank in the correct location.




Nearly there.









Now for the bad news!

I think you have put the rear wheels together incorrectly. The hubs are too far in to the wheel. I guess this is why the brakes were off when delivered as they were binding up. I need to consult my book of words as there is an offset requirement when building. I think the hub as a slight polarity difference if I remember correctly.

Oh no I'm sure I done it the way the book said,

If the weather forecast runs true. I am aiming for a first fire on Tuesday. That's if Mike allows me to get Precilla dirty.

Only jobs left.
Cotter pins in valve gear, did not manage today.
Front belly tank bracket paint drying over tonight.
Remove belly tank and fit bracket and cleading.
Refit belly tank. Install balance pipe and end covers.
Attach steering chains, steering wheel shaft and worm.
Hook up water lifter steam supply pipe.
Create tails for all the oilers.

Big one. Sort the rear wheel fit or plan a brake assembly modification. By the way. I am only talking about 1/4" each side.

Next puzzle. Figure out how to turn the engine around in a space slightly less than her total length. Hummmm
Need her smokebox to front of garage for firing. Might be a trip down the driveway and back up on the push pole connected to the car.

Good news then Lynn, u can get it as dirty as u want it came to u dirty due to being sat in the shed and being really dusty and coming across my garden and loading up in the rain, looking good Lynn well done

Hi All

Progress made today. The big issue over the brakes binding on the wheels I have solved. Judicious grinding of flanges etc and many hours soaked up the wheels are on without binding.

Got the belly tank front fitting attached this morning



I think my bracket modifications will look fine. Saves waiting for the new one from STW.

Reminder to builders. Make sure you fit the backing flange for the drain pipework before you fit the cleading.





Belly tank mounted





Look who's back on her wheels!



A few things to tidy up and tighten up. Otherwise she is almost ready.



Belly tank end covers to fit.



Cotter pins in everything. Not clipped or curled until after testing.



Still to mark and cut the reverser quadrant and washer and pin the bottom pivot.

Still to make the wicks for the oil pots as the rear wheel and brake issue took up a lot of time today.

No first fire tomorrow. Finishing list is still too long and would make things rushed. Thursday or the weekend is now the target.

Not bad for 75 hours work to date.

Glad the brakes are sorted, like the fact the belly tank and the wheels are back on, roll on the weekend for a fire up,

Today's task.



Wicks

Think that is enough.

That looks a exciting job there Lynn, hope it's gone ok today and not more issues

Just need to poke that lot in to the oilers and fill her up.

Today was meant to be snow but it has been a bright and sunny day.

Thats a great job, nice to see it being done for real, may I ask how often one should change the wicks, and can you show a finished one in a oiler if thats at all possible, just I'm still not quite sure how often they need to be changed and how much wick you leave in the pot ?

I have no idea how long they last. I just replace when one gets a bit slow compared to the others or if one has not emptied completely over night.

I will get the macro lens out when I install the wicks to let you see what I do. Again no idea if it is correct but it works for me.

Hi Lynn, your progress is really amazing on both the engines, I was just wondering what type of wool do you use for your wicks, as im about ready to fit some to my foden ready for its air tests

Russ

Hi

Worsted wood. It has to be untreated otherwise it does not work.

Doh


Just realised I need another 2 wicks for the, not fitted, slidebar oilers.

Thank you Lynn where would you aquire this from as i dont want to go on ebay and get the wrong stuff and all the old wool shops near me have shut down

Russ

I got mine from Heritage Steam Supplies. Paid a fortune for postage. Any company south of Glasgow treat the Highlands as an island or some place near Timbuktu . Tried to order a tube brush at I think £18 or so. the quote for postage was £47. I got it sent to sisters at Glasgow instead. "Oh free postage to there" EH!


Their pack even comes with drawings on the different styles in use. Golden rule ==== Always use soft copper wire for support ==== It it gets to the bearing surface. It don't score and kill the surface as its softer.

I got mine from www.heritagesteamsupplies.co.uk

Thank you Lynn and Mark the spark i have ordered some from there, and thank you for the tips on using it Lynn

Russ

Wick inserted.



Traditionally, rotating parts have a bob wick i.e. no tail in the bottom of the pot. So the wick only gets oil when the crank is rotating and splashing in to the top of the pot. This stops the wick from emptying the pot when idle. I prefer the tail in to the bottom of the pot so oil gets into the bearing even when crank is stopped or going very slowly.

Crank done. Filled up with oil to test. The oil should be on the garage floor by tomorrow morning. Its -2 so the oil is very very thick so very good test.



Just another 8 oil wicks to make.

Glad to see another update Lynn, hope all going ok