Large Scale Central

What have you gotten yourself into!

Electronics Live Steam
#21

Well first of all - Thank you to Jake for allowing us to derail his thread. Lots of good info here.

Again tac; thanks for your advice. I’m not very knowledgeable on thermal dynamics so I’ll have to contemplate the idea that boiling off the water leaves a vacuum; that indeed could be my only issue; well that and aging fingers that just can’t grip like they did even 5 years ago.

I never tighten beyond finger tight. The advice to leave them cracked open while stored is something I will try.

All the Best to the Foleys as well!

#22

Hey, you know me - keep it simple. Here’s the explication about the vacuum in the boiler…

  1. You have [let’s just say] a 750cc boiler space.

  2. You put in 500cc of water and close the filler up. There is 250cc free space for the production of steam. Becuase the system is now sealed by the filler cap, that’s all the free space there will ever be in there, and it’s air at atmospheric pressure, until steam starts to get generated into its space.

  3. So you boil the water, producing steam that travels a high pressure down the pipes and into the cylinders, then out of the stack.

  4. You are USING up that water in a sealed container, capisce?

  5. In your steaming session you’ve just boiled off, say, 300cc of water - without a blow-down valve on that model, you let the boiler cool down. You now have a sealed vessel - the boiler - with a 300cc size ‘hole’ in the water. Remember, it’s all sealed in, no air can get in to replace it…

So what fills that ‘hole’?

The answer is - nothing - it’s a partial vacuum now, hence the difficulty in removing the filler cap.

That partial vacuum is enough on a full-size Shay to enable them to connect one end of a syphon hose to a valve on the boiler, dump the other end in a handy stream, open the valve, and suck up a few hudred gallons of water at the trackside without the use of a water tower.

Trust me on this one.

Best

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

#23

I dont consider it derailment. I’m getting great info that I will need for my locomotive. Excellent description on the vacuum, Tac. I hadn’t thought of it that way. Makes sense.

#24

Several years ago a study was conducted as to which was the best lubricating oil for our little dragons moving parts. The final verdict was that 3 in 1 BLUE Electrical Oil was the best. You can find it in most of the big box stores. Not the red can but the BLUE can. The study was written up in Steam in the Garden.

Noel

#25

One note I might add is that if I am storing the loco, I do not leave gas in the tank (unless I stopped the run short for some reason) The remaining gas could leak out which is at best a waste at worst a fire hazard.

I tend not to refill the boiler or lubricator either, though it is easier to empty and refill the lubricator when the oil is still warm. I go over the engine before each run…that way I know I have done it!

#26

I do the same Eric. I always enjoy starting out with filling and lubing everything before I steam up. I also clean everything when done by spraying simple green, letting it soak and then spraying it off. That way any grit that accumulated is rinsed off and ready for the next days run.

#27

I guess my procedure goes back to gas R/C cars. Typical after-run procedure in that hobby is to clean up then make everything ready to go.

Sean - I have plenty to do while waiting for steam to come up! Also, once I get pressure I shut down the fire and top off the gas before heading out.

#28

Well, I received my gift in the mail on Friday. Here it is…

The inards…I already have a Goodall Valve ordered. Also, I have some R/C servo ordered as I plan to R/C this loco.

Future plans would be to install a whistle and also to R/C the cylinder drain cocks.

I intended to repaint the loco black to match my livery of locomotives… However, after getting the loco and seeing the paint in person, I’m having second thoughts.

#29

Beautiful.

…and $6950 here in not-so-merrie ol’ England.

BTW, it’s not a good idea to run a big live-steamer like that without rollers under ALL the drive-wheel axles. The reason being that they are all sprung, and with no weight on them the valve timing can be slightly altered by the ‘droopy’ axle having the eccentric located on it.

However, it’s yours…

tac

#30

Thanks for the advice. I will put my other two rollers under her before I steam her up.

That was a new roller carrier I built, looking at an article in GR last month. I just put her up there to take pictures. I dont have any steam oil yet so I havent fired her up yet.

#31

Looks nice Jake. Cant wait to see it steaming on your layout. Hope its not buried in snow.

#32

I got some snow, but havent been able to plow on account of the ice. (You probably saw the video). However, it has been in the lower 40s and upper 30s around here the last couple days. Perhaps I can get the plow train out and clear the line.

#33

turbine oil I believe is formulated for high temp and high speed.