Live steam how to...

[Woodfields Light Railway]

Here, as I'm a complete newbie to garden railways  can people post here sort of a how to on live steam? Thanks.........

[Dannypenguin]

When you say how to, do you mean what to purchase, how to operate, ect?

[Narrow Minded]

Plenty here;

http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/

Click on the "Technical" link when you're on the page.

[williamfj]

Above all else make sure there's water in the boiler, if your loco does run out of water DON'T fill it immediately, let the boiler go cold on it's own.

[vjoneslong5040]

I can only recommend whats been said before! But I thought it might be useful to point out you can get similar instructions, though not as comprehensive, for accucraft locos.

http://www.accucraft.uk.com/categories/live-steam/

Click on more info for any of the engines and there is a pdf file with how to run and maintain a accucraft loco.

Surprised nobody has mentioned WOG: Water first, then Oil, then gas.  If you follow that approach your pretty guaranteed not to light the engine up without water in the boiler or oil in the lubricator. Once you've done it a few times it will become second nature!

[andymctractor]

When I joined the Navy in 1968 one of the first things I remember learning about operating machinery was, if you don't fully understand it then find out how to switch it off BEFORE you switch it on.
Made sense.

[Chris Cairns]

Surprised nobody has mentioned WOG: Water first, then Oil, then gas.

Whilst I agree these are very important the order used can very much be a combination of individual preference plus requirements of a specific locomotive. For the Accucraft Ragleth the instructions order is Gas, Oil then Water, and similarly for the Roundhouse Millie the instructions order is also Gas, Oil then Water.

My preferred order depends on whether I remove the gas tank for filling or not. If Yes then Gas first, otherwise Gas second (doing the gas earlier allows the gas tank to warm up back towards working temperature after filling, but I do not like upturning a full gas tank to stop any problems with liquid gas). Next oiling (or first when gas tank is fixed in loco) as it usually requires the locomotive to be upturned to oil between the chassis frames, and finally water. Using thick 460 steam oil may require topping up a displacement lubricator again as the oil heats up & settles but I generally do not bother.

It can be a problem with buying a 2nd hand locomotive, particularly winning an eBay auction, trying to get a copy of the relevant instructions.

Chris Cairns.

[Woodfields Light Railway]

I made a short film on YouTube.......

Search for:  Preparing a live steam locomotive

By: Elmtree Line.

Found this very helpful..
Thanks Mr Elmtree Line

[Woodfields Light Railway]

Okay guys, that's all dandy, now onto the subject of buying. What characteristics would you look for. Looks? Sound? Gas consumpstion?....
Oh, I dunno.......
Your comments are much appreciated

[MDLR]

Gas consumption: they're all much of a muchness and you should expect to get half-an-hour or so's running time once it's run in (assuming you're buying a new one)

Appearance: whatever floats your particular boat! Remember that there are a LOT of people out there supplying bolt on extras that will customise a stock loco and make it more individual. For instance: http://www.swiftsixteen.com/products.php#Detailing and http://www.locoworks.co.uk/locoworks-detail

Sound: get it running and listen. If you want it to make more noise, there are things called chuff pipes available which will make your loco sound louder and (some would say) more realistic - you pays your money and you takes your choice!

[Narrow Minded]

It seems to me that you really are getting into this "blind", so my best advice would be to get along to somewhere (local track / garden) and actually see some loco's running.
Trust me ~ it'll answer loads of your questions (and spark off loads more ) and chatting to owners face-to-face will be a great help.

Why not post a "any upcoming open events in my area I could attend please" and see if any of our community can host you?
You're more than welcome to come along to Butterley if it's within travelling distance

BTW, I'm not implying that asking questions on here is wrong ~ it's just that getting along to a steam-up would be better. You can even have a drive of one of my loco's if you can get here

[MDLR]

You're more than welcome to come along to Butterley if it's within travelling distance.

You can even have a drive of one of my locos if you can get here.

And mine! I'd echo what Kev's said - come along and have a play and all your questions will be answered!

Another thing you MUST do is join the 16mm Association www.16mm.org.uk - you can do it on line and you'll get an awful lot of advice and fun out of it.