New Build DCC

I'm soon to start on a DCC build, reading through some of the threads on here, builders have made a number of improvements along the way. Is the a list of the more common mods or is it just a case of reading every post and making notes?

Hello,

first of all, welcome.

I‘m afraid there is no such list as you hoped for, at least I have yet to find it. What I did was to go through the build posts and take the suggestions/ideas from there. I did not do all what was doen by others, but I also did some that others seemed unneeded.

This is what I change - in no specific order:
- increased the size of the inspection cover in tender, as I could not really get my hand into the hole - does the phrase ape-trap box ring any bells?
- added grease nipples to front axle to lube pivot to perch bracket
- enlarged tray behind cylinder block to cover area up to weighshaft bracket
- added grease nipples to front and LH rear wheel to change from oil to grease
- changed rear axle lubrication to smaller oiler pots instead of oil boxes at axle (less wasted oil - I hope)
- added bracket for lower end of damper rod. Had to drop fire at one time and move machine forward to clear the ashpan, thus bending the damper rod. Bracket keeps end of damper rod to catch on ground.
- attached gear shift locking pins with steel cable to avoid loosing them.
- added grub screw to flywheel for additional securing of flywheel
- changed boiler lagging to wooden strips instead of blanket

Planned for this winter:
- add second blower globe valve next to injector globe valve, to be able to adjust blower from seat.
- change of layout of cylinder drain pipes
- special handle/tool to jerk out the r-clips of ash pan easier and quicker - if you have it you don‘t need it

Hope this helps

If you need some details, please feel free to ask

Cheers

Elwood

Hi,
This is my list of Mod or my road loco, researched from this forum & my own thoughts/improvements
Some I have done (in green)
And some I wont be doing (in red)
Some have two options or alternative ways of doing the same job.

Grease nipple for front steering pivot & purch bracket, Ploybush axle pin
Ash pan cleaning hole & sliding cover
Ash pan rear door for cleaning out ash. Push ash to rear door to remove
Ash pan retaining pins, securing clips.
Splash guard for high gear, oil getting on belly tank
Heat resistant packing for smokebox door baffle
Tender water level indicator float or level gauge on outside.
Tender water tank vent pipe.
Change tender towing bracket fixing to M6
Belly tank water level gauge
Fire bar hold down bars with split pins.
Replacement fire bars, extra bars & slightly longer.
Tender floor boards, hinged in the centre along length.
Fire hole door retaining bolt for opening mech need securing.
Spectacle plate smoke deflector above fire hole door
Roof: sliding centre section for better access.
Roof: hinged (Front or Rear) for better access for lubrication & maintenance.
Remote regulator device/ control rod.
Chimney base copper rivets replace with SS bolts rounded off.
Steering turnbuckles with springs, to reduce the slack & shock loadings
Cylinder block drip tray needs to be larger & drain pipe needs enlarging.
Starter valve spring needs to be a bit stronger
Valve gear pins need to be fixed to prevent them rotating. (Roll pin)
Injector water supply valve & pipe mods. To improve water flow.
Oil Level glass for cylinder oiler.
Rear axle lubrication improvements with remote/raised oil pots
Wooden lagging instead of supplied lagging, use Poplar wood.
Firing chute for use when driving on road etc.
Change cylinder drain cocks to RA Baker.
Change cylinder Lubricator to RA Baker.
Change Boiler clack valve to RA Baker.
Fixing for bunker floor extension plate in front of fire hole door.
Crankshaft bearing (LH) small pin to locate bearing to prevent it rotating.
Steering wheel handle/knob made of brass
Chimney extension for lighting up & short bit for steaming on road.
Reverser linkage hits cladding, change bolt for home made pin.
Pipe valve between belly & tender tanks change to 'Gas' butterfly valve 22mm

This is by now way a finished or comprehensive, but it has helped me.
Happy Christmas all.
Trev

Hi Trev,

very good list you‘ve compiled there.
A small remark, though - it would be helpful for others to include also a link or reference to where that mod was mentioned.
When I was building Pied Piper I also found some mods I wanted to consider as soon as I would be at that stage. Unfortunately I did not note down where I had seen it and spend hours trying to find the instruction again. In some cases I only found them by chance, but it was too late already at that point to easily do the modification with little effort.

Marry Christmas to all, stay safe  

Cheers

Elwood