Smithies Boilers

[Big Jim]

I have just acquired a boiler, I didn't really want one but it was too cheap to pass up and I do have a rolling chassis with almost unused cylinders on it that needs a power source (and valve gear that works).
When I agreed to purchase it (sight unseen) The original description suggested a coal fired boiler but this would appear not to be the case.

It appears to be a meths fired, smithies type boiler, I know these need a source of air to fire (battery blower and then steam blower) but it is not a type that I really know much about. Can anyone recommend any sources of information about them?

I know it will need pressure testing and a good check over but it was built by a model engineer that was known to me by reputation (now sadly in the great engine drivers rest room in the sky) I think it was built for a freelance gauge one engine that was never finished and I hope it may come with other bits and bobs but who knows.

[GTB]

It appears to be a meths fired, smithies type boiler, I know these need a source of air to fire (battery blower and then steam blower) but it is not a type that I really know much about. Can anyone recommend any sources of information about them?

No direct experience of them, but they were developed 100+ years ago to get away from the problems with using early pot boilers outside. Also referred to as water tube boilers in some articles.

LBSC used them in his G1 locos and this site has scans of a couple of his projects that use a Smithies boiler. Dot is a G1 design and uses the original design. Rose is a small G3 loco and uses a different variant with a wet backhead.

http://www.john-tom.com/html/LBSCEngines.html

Henry Greenly also describes them in his book 'Model Steam Locomotives'. Still in print, even though the first edition is approaching it's centenary.

Regards,
Graeme

[Big Jim]

Thanks Graeme.

That web site looks rather good.

I don't really know what I am going to do with the boiler and I can't see myself doing much with it in the next few months but we will see what occurs.

I fancy a saddle tank design, simply because I don't have one on the roster.

[funandtrains]

Peter Spoerer sells suction fans for steam raising too:

http://www.peterspoerermodelengineers.c ... o.php?p=15

[Big Jim]

Thanks Steve.