I got mine, serial #021. . The engine is packed in a wood box that looks to be nailed shut. There are no instructions or indications on the box on how to get into it. After messing with it for an hour with a screw driver and hammer, I discovered that the top just slides off, rather easily. lol…Once the top is off one has to unpack the engine which is strapped to the box. Also you have to remove all the foam, etc. packing. Then the engine just lifts out. It’s a beautiful machine and arrived undamaged.
First thing I noticed when I put gas in it was nothing was coming through the nozzle. It was completely plugged. How did they do a live steam test with the nozzle plugged? Anyway, I cleaned it out by blowing gas through it backwards and forwards until it looked cleaned out and I could see light through it. I then finished prepping the engine, oiling every thing, checking for loose screws, filling it with water and steam oil. Then I lit the fire. Pressure came up and I was ready to test run it. I had it suspended on blocks so the wheels just ran free. I found it has trouble keeping the pressure up unless the burner is turned way up. The engine has cylinder cocks. But it still seems to lock up and is hard to get running. Once running it seems to be fine. Typical Accucraft, there are NO INSTRUCTIONS for this engine of any kind. Just a boiler cert and a warranty card. If you are new to the hobby, good luck. I was curious as to how to get the steam dome off to access the safety valve. I think I found it has two tiny allen screws holding it down. Anyway, that is all the time I have had to test it so far. Have not run it on track yet.
Anyone else have theirs, please post more info about it.
Me too, #9. To add to John’s post. My box also sustained a lot of torture from me before I found the magic clue to the lid. Mine had a 2" clear shipping tape on one end of the lid. Remove the tape and slide the lid out that direction.
The lid was harder for me to remove, seem warped and binding. A hammer and block of wood forced it to slide out.
As far as the cocoon, I was able to remove the 4 corner nuts and bolts from the bottom of the case, allowing me to lift the entire cocoon wrappings and sled out of the box. Then it is much easier to remove the wrappings.
Great wrapping job. Only damage was on 1 cab step ladder stuck out to the side at 90 degrees. Must have happened before it was wrapped because wrapping went around it.
Haven’t run it yet but it looks impressive and surprising large.
Thanks John for the jet suggestion, I’ll be watching out for it.
