Lynn Robinson. Showman Scenic

Not done much on the engine as been refurbishing the garage. New Shelves and a right good muck out!

Done bit of painting today. Finally remembered to paint the handles and the brake shaft.














Waited until the paint was fairly dry. Mounted the handles on their spindles and using a paper towel wet with standard thinners. Slowly round the rim of the wheel to remove paint until an even "wear" pattern occurs. Think they look nice? I do.






Still to polish the handles but that has to be later once the paint fully dries.

Well done Lynn, looks like you're neat, tidy & in control................................... I on the other hand:-





Am a total mess!!!! Stuff everywhere, ten jobs on the go at the same time etc etc...... Well that's my excuse anyway!!

Lovely weather we're having, hottest since 1957!!
Regards,
Tony

Hi Tony
You must spend all your time setting the clocks right at this time of year (or do you just leave them until Autumn!!!)

Regards

Tom

At least you can see the floor in your workshop Tony, you can't in mine.

Mike

It bears true. The amount of detrites expands to full the Available space.

In my case as soon as I clear the workshop and put everything away it takes me ages to find it all again. It may not be tidy but I know where everything is.....well most of the time.

Bloody hell, I wish I had that much space to loose things in!!!

Mike, I have no comment to make for your workshop

However, I am planning a new shed so we can loose the single garage to make way for ground floor expansion on the house. A shed big enough for a full size engine just in case.

Brian

Had a problem yesterday. Air hose gave out. Fortunately the wild snake did not hit the engine.

lynnr wrote:Had a problem yesterday. Air hose gave out. Fortunately the wild snake did not hit the engine.

That could have been nasty. Glad all came through it ok though.

Needed to do something today so polished up the chimney top to get rid of some more of the spinning marks.

Wow where are my sun glasses, what did you use for that, its come out well.

Frost polishing kit. First fine grade gray metal polishing compound on stitched cotton cloth. The green yellow metal polishing compound on stitched mop. Finished with blue compound on G grade loose mop. Took ably half hour to do.

Hi All

Adjusted my brake springs so that once the brakes are wound completely off the spring comes into action and holds the pads clear of the rims and the gap is about 5mm and even over the complete pad.


Mobile picture so not very good.

Whoot next kit arrived.

lynnr wrote:Whoot next kit arrived.

We know where you will be next weekend then. How's the weather, do you still have snow on the ground?

2 or 3 inches still there. Now freezing solid.

Managed to get out to the garage last night for hour.

Started putting the reverser together.

Couple small problems. Bolt at front end next to boiler. Too close and will gorge the paint and cleading.



Also my bolts for the reversing quadriant are M5 where the holes and thread in the gear guard are M6.



I have informed STW of these issues. Very minor.

I hadnt realised the springs could be adjusted!!!! I have been pushing my thing about cursing the fact that the pads are rubbing and dragging on the rims and thinking what a ball ache that will be in use. I will have a look at that tomorrow, spent today cutting more gaskets for the safety valve and exhaust and lapping on the drain cocks, the yellow paste makes short work of that!! Going to make up a brass plate to go in place of the safeties for the hydraulic test as well as a plate to seal the exhaust.

Hi

When you adjust the springs take care not to put a sharp edge as they will snap. Pinch the spring between 2 broom handles and ease it over.

Hi All

Well got a bit of steam. Took Rob's suggestion and put the kettle on.

Fill The kettle







Light the fire.


Smoke came out the correct end.




Added some coal so moved the engine out to the open.


Fire going well


Left to boil for 45 minutes then drained and cleaned out as Rain, hail and snow stopped play.

Well Done Lynn! That must have been a smokey garage! When I got my first engine I was so keen to steam it that I bought a gazebo because it was raining. Quick tip: don't raise steam under a gazebo ;-)

Thanks Dan.

Had another boil up today. Very successful. From cold to boiling in 75 minutes. No blower or extension chimney. Getting better at keeping the fire going. Did not have to relight at all today Got quite abit of rubbish out today. So it may just clean the engine over the next couple evenings and that is it for firing until the hydro and steam testing. Found a couple of dribbles today so nipped up a few nuts.

Boiled for 40 minutes with boiler treatment then emptied. All holes open while still warm to remove moisture.

Next weekend will be cracking on with the latest kit, hope the brackets for the gear guard arrive soon so I can paint that part.

Congrats Lin,

I have just order another three kits, so will be up to date with the rest of you. However, I am still very jealous of the steaming...

All the best, and well done!

Brian

Congratulations Lynn. Must be exciting to get the first fire in the boiler. Well done!!
Phil

Hi Phil

To tell you the truth. Not very exited as concentrating so much on the engine. Checking for dribbles, incorrect hissing, smoke coming out where it should not. Check check and rechecking the water level. Is the water gauge working, check check check. How is the fire going, not too big or is it going out. check the water. Bum it is snowing again, wheel the engine back in to the garage. Teach the dogs where they can stick their noses and more importantly NOT stick their noses.

Once the fire was out and dealt with. The engine was allowed to cool for 30 mins with gentle rocking back and forth. The water was then drained out and all possible holes opened. Due to the weather the ground was a mess of coal dust in water so big big cleanup needed. Dog paws very good as taking muck into the house. When Crystal had cooled down close to ambient temperature the air compressor and gun came out to remove any water deposits from the outside of the engine. All the motion got blasted dry and the block got a blast out to make sure no puddles remained.

Last night Crystal got her first sponge bath and blow dry. She did not complain. No polishing yet as still got bits to paint, not sure what colour she wants on her toe nails. Chimney top will need a polish up. Brasso and rags by the bucket load from now on me thinks?

Found out last night she does not like being put to bed and complements to STW. I pushed her back to bed and she started to roll out again by herself. The gradient in the garage is like 1:60 just to let water slowly drain out. But she was gaining speed quickly. Brakes on from now on!