Large Scale Central

Accucraft Forney Mods

Electronics Live Steam
#1

I wanted to share some mods I’ve made to my Accucraft Forney. About a year ago the first thing I did was build a wooden cab kit from Bronson Tate. I used some acrylic stains in tubes that I found at Home Depot. The color selection is limited but the convenience of the tube and cleaning up with water were awesome.

Tonight I installed some other odds and ends, the first being a Summerlands chuffer. Such an easy install, maybe 2 minutes? Can’t wait to hear it!

Next I installed the Goodall valve I got in the mail today from Wee Bee Loco. Here’s the piece that replaces the boiler plug.

Here’s the pump bottle.

And the two mated together. I really like the design and can’t wait to try it out.

Now this last part I can’t take credit for. While moving into a new house I let my Dad borrow the loco to run while all of my stuff was in boxes. He surprised me by taking a tool box and turning it into an awesome carrying case. At the bottom of the tool box is the wooden piece that comes in the retail box with track grooves cut into it. There’s room for water (note, in the pictures I put distilled water into regular water bottles - don’t freakout!), steam oil, and everything else I need. He cut pieces of foam to protect the loco on all sides. There’s even a pullout tray that’s on top. Here’s some pics.

Up next is a 60psi pop valve also from Wee Bee. However I could not get the steam dome off. I feel like I’ve taken it off before but it wouldn’t budge. Any ideas? Maybe I can get the new pop valve installed and do a test run by the weekend. Thanks for reading!

#2

Love that case! May have to do that for some of my travelling “sparkies”! What a nice thing to do!

#3

Doesn’t the steam dome unthread?

#4

Yes the steam dome unthreads. The top piece comes off and holds the bottom piece on. Its very hard to get off the first time. Try wrapping a cloth around it and then use something to turn it. Wont take much. Just turn the top piece.

of the dome not the bottom.

Mods look nice. I did the same to mine, although I cut the front down and took the front trucks off. Made it into a 0-4-4 and added RC. The tool box is a great idea makes transporting easier with everything together. You can replace the water bottles with those small nalgene bottles found in outdoor stores. They will last forever and never leak. The chuffer will sound great especially with a heavier load.

#5

Perhaps not as functional as your carrying case, but check out these carrying/display cases, by the Master Bob Weltyk…

#6

Darndest thing, the next day I went down to the basement and the steam dome unscrewed with ease. Maybe a change in temperature? Who knows. The new pop valve installation was a cinch. The first time it went off I nearly had a heart attack.

Ran into a new issue however: the pressure gauge will drip water about every 2 seconds during steam up and then at higher pressure leak steam at a substantial rate. I’ve tried tightening it as much as I’m comfortable doing.

Any tips? Thanks guys.

#7

Where is it dripping? The gauge itself or the at the threads/nut?

#8

I have cracked the little bitty brass fitting between the copper tubing and the gauge…if that has happened there is nothing to do but get another unless like me you want to fiddle with silver solder or make a new fitting on the lathe.

#9

Shawn - it’s coming from the threads. Sometimes the gauge itself will fill up with water…not sure if that’s normal.

Eric - I’ll check the piece the next time I’m down in the workshop…sounds like that could be it. I’ll take the gauge all the way off and see if that reveals anything.

#10

Hmmmmm you could try putting some plumbers tape around the threads, unless like Eric said the nut is cracked .

#11

I think I found the issue.

I used some teflon tape and used a small crescent wrench to get it as tight as possible. Did a test steam up and had no dripping. Yay!

BUT, then when it hit 60 psi steam started leaking just like before. So I unscrewed it again and found a small hole on the back. So it looks like I have to buy another and I’ll be good to go. Here’s a photo:

(http://i1302.photobucket.com/albums/ag121/larrydyess/1cfed060-77ad-43a4-9567-c443609c3214_zps45ad1e49.jpg)

Thanks guys!

EDIT: Looks like Accucraft is sold out (and it’s $76, jeez!)

#12

If your engine is new, I am sure Accucraft will make good, call or e-mail Cliff at the service department.

otherwise you might find a suitable gauge from other vendors.

#13

Call Cliff first. If no luck contact Jason Kovac from train dept.

http://www.thetraindepartment.com/pressure-gauges/

#14

Yep Cliff will make it right. My EBT showed up with a brken throttle valve aquick call to Cliff and 4 days later I had a new part. Great service. Later RJD

#15

I thought about contacting Cliff but the truth is that the loco is almost 3 years old. I’ve only steamed it up about 5 times on a small oval of track. I’m currently working with Jason to purchase a replacement part. On top of being 3 years old, it wasn’t smart of me to tighten the gauge by hand. I’ll take more care with the new part. Thanks for all the advice.