Accucraft Ragleth Possible Blocked Steam Pipes

[ChristianC]

I'm new to the forum, and this topic may have already been covered before. Last week I decided it was time to steam my Ragleth, it had not been used since Christmas. I prepared the engine in the same way as always, but when I tried to move the loco, the wheels would not turn. When operating the forward/reverser, this is moving correctly in the block. When putting the loco in reverse to clear the condensate from the cylinders, nothing was emitted from the chimmney.

I have now checked the superheater pipe for blockage and all pipework in the cab from the boiler/lubricator. This is all clear. So I'm thinking that there must be a blockage in the system from the superheater pipe onwards (the pipes from the forward/reverse block to the cylinders).

Is there any easy way to clear what I think are blocked steam pipes?

The engine was supplied with ISO460 Steam Oil which I now think is too thick for the engine. As I was new to live steam last year and assumed as the engine was supplied with this oil that it was okay.

Has anyone else had the same issue?

Any help would be much appreciated!

[DLRdan]

try taking the exhaust pipe out the block, there is a very small hole in the base and it might have got blocked with old steam oil. It might also be worth checking the regulator if you havent done so already. If there is oil in the pipework in the front end then getting that area hot will soften the oil and alow it to be pushed out. I have done this in the past by putting the loco in warm water just up to the footplate, but not if it has RC gear fitted. The 460 oil supplied is correct, thinner oils will break down in the superheater pipe and cause a blockage over time.

[ChristianC]

Thanks for the reply.

I've already taken the exhaust pipe out, and the hole beneath there is also clear of old steam oil, as is the summerlands chuffer. The regulator is also working okay.[/img]

[laalratty]

It does sound like the pipes are blocked, probably the upstanding pipe from the union in the smokebox to the cylinders. If Dan's method doesn't clear it or show anything up then I'm afraid it might be best contacting an Accucraft service dealer for clearance, since the process for clearing needs specialist facilities.

[Chris Cairns]

The 460 oil supplied is correct, thinner oils will break down in the superheater pipe and cause a blockage over time.

Now that is an interesting comment Dan as it is the complete opposite to what Roundhouse have said regarding why they changed to using Compound Bearing Oil 220 - http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/tech.htm#oil

Chris Cairns

[DLRdan]

I was told this in relation to Accucraft locos, to do with the slightly increased pressure though I suspect its more to do with protection of the piston valves though I am happy to be told otherwise.

[laalratty]

I have also been informed that the 220 oil is too thin for Accucraft engines, and that they are designed to run on 460.

[AFGadd]

We must also remember that Roundhouse have reduced the diameter of the hole in the lubricator in conjunction with changing to a thinner oil...

[Chris Bird]

A few months back a local enthusiast came to me with a blocked superheater. We drilled it out with a home-made piano wire drill and removed a lot of black clag. It still wouldn't work though and, as has been suggested, the blockage went right on down to the reverser block. We sent it to service agent Dave Mees (Abbey Bach) and he took it apart and sorted it very quickly.

It turned out that the owner would steam up and then let it simmer (or probably blow off) for quite a while. The first oil was still in the pipe and just turned to carbon. So it is best to clear the oily condensate first if planning to leave it standing for a while.

I used to use RH 220 steam oil in everything, but now tend to follow the manufacturers instructions and use 460 in the Accucraft locos.
Cheers
Chris

[ChristianC]

Thanks everyone with there help!

The loco is now fixed and was running again last night :-) Turns out in the end that it was nothing to do with blocked steam pipes, but actually the timing. This could not been seen without removing the loco body to see the screw on the running plate.

Cheers
Christian[/img]

[ace]

ChristianC, glad you have your problem sorted. At least it was an easy fix.

We must also remember that Roundhouse have reduced the diameter of the hole in the lubricator in conjunction with changing to a thinner oil...

When did this change occur? The operating instructions for my 1995 RH Billy recommends to use 220 steam oil only. It's all I have ever used in that engine.