Large Scale Central

New Forney makes it's first run

Electronics Live Steam
#1

Ron Teten got his first live steamer today, a Accucraft Forney. He got it from Reindeer Pass Railroad(Kidman’s, in Des Moines). We got it unpacked and on the track. Once lubed/filled we got it lit and up to pressure. Took off like a rocket! We are still learning the throttle adjustment. Got a few runs in, next time we will hook some cars to it. Ron’s railroad is about finished, so should be running it on there soon.

One thing, the sight glass didn’t seem to really show how much water was in the boiler, even right after filling. Any advice there?

Short video:
http://youtu.be/UPtiarpaGxU

#2

Jerry I heard putting a small piece of brass wire into the sight glass will help give a more accurate reading. I think you need to bend each end into a U so it stays center in the tube.
He might want to add RC to i,t unless its being used on level track. If it not, then I would put the throttle up all the way and then use the Johnson bar. It gives a finer speed adjustment.

#3

Shawn,
We are afraid to mess with the sight glass, don’t want to break that. The Johnson bar just has 3 notches in it, Fwd, N, and Reverse. I’m sure it will be okay with some cars next time. My layout is level and his is also(almost done!)

#4

Jerry, you don’t have to mess with the glass itself - just take off the top cap nut and drop the wire down into the glass. Make sure to put U bends in the wire to center it.
It’s well worth the effort, makes the sight glass useable. I’ve done both of my engines…

#5

All - that’s what I’ve done in all but the one loco I have that has no sight glass.

tac, ig & The Port Orford Traffic Light Boys