DJB Robert

jabsteam · Post by **jabsteam** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:03 pm

Anyone running this engine?
link; http://www.djbengineering.co.uk/kit-cf-robert.html

Your experiences in building the kit, and running the completed engine is appreciated.
It looks like a great starter engine for coal firing...

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:41 am

For customers I have built one, rebuilt one and repaired and tuned one.

Excellent machines!
http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk/Pictures/DSC02354.JPG
http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk/Pictures/DSC02580.JPG

Lner fan Sam · Post by **Lner fan Sam** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 3:11 pm

do they use a converted accucraft chassis tony?

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:38 pm

Lner fan Sam:79533 wrote:do they use a converted accucraft chassis tony?

No, it is based on the Roundhouse Carrie chassis with Hackworth valve gear.

Lner fan Sam · Post by **Lner fan Sam** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:41 pm

I see, thanks for the info there tony.

jabsteam · Post by **jabsteam** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:11 pm

Tony, thank you for your reply.
I've emailed you thru your website.

GardenSteamer · Post by **GardenSteamer** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:34 pm

I've built a Robert and its a very good kit that goes together with the minimum of fettling. Just follow the instructions step by step.

Of my coal fired locos its the easiest to fire by a long way. Very forgiving with operator error and makes an ideal first coal loco project.

Hope this is of help.

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 12:31 am

Where does DJB get the chassis/valve gear, etc, if Roundhouse doesn't make the "Carrie" anymore? Are they secretly still making some parts for it? I would love a "Carrie", or for that matter a "robert".

jabsteam · Post by **jabsteam** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 2:34 am

Thank you for your information, GardenSteamer, just what I wanted to know! A big help...
This will be my first engine kit build, and my first 16mm coal engine.

Keith S, I don't know if RH still makes the chassis, I just enjoy the Hackworth valve gear as a 3rd type to own.

TonyW · Post by **TonyW** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 10:42 am

Keith S:79583 wrote:Where does DJB get the chassis/valve gear, etc, if Roundhouse doesn't make the "Carrie" anymore? Are they secretly still making some parts for it? I would love a "Carrie", or for that matter a "robert".

Hackworth valve gear parts are available from Roundhouse (part HVG).

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 4:58 pm

So, (sorry for thread drift here), even though the instructions for the Hackworth valve gear say you must use the cylinders with the special angled valve chest, you CAn actually use regular cylinders? This would be good news for Bertie owners.

DolwyddelanLightRail · Post by **DolwyddelanLightRail** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:01 pm

Keith S:79608 wrote: This would be good news for Bertie owners.

Or, if you are DLRdan, you convert it anyway!

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:38 pm

THAT Bertie is my favourite Doug, but Dan did mention on another thread that he made that valve gear himself.

If I could be sure that the stock Hackworth valve gear would indeed work properly on a Bertie with standard cylinders, I believe I would start saving my money to acquire one. I am really attracted to the look of that particular locomotive, and I find Hackworth valve gear is most interesting to watch.

Lner fan Sam · Post by **Lner fan Sam** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:43 pm

I agree with you there Keith hackworth valve is very interesting to watch. If you want parts the the gear I am sure roundhouse would provide the gear to you.

GardenSteamer · Post by **GardenSteamer** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:47 pm

An advantage of the Hackworth gear is that has far less slop (technical term!) than Roundhouse's Walschaerts gear. With coal firing it can be notched up effectively to soften the blast and use the steam more efficiently.

Robert has such a free steaming boiler this is needed to stop constant safety valve lifting.

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:52 pm

I wasn't aware that it was possible to "notch up" hackworth valve gear. I don't know much about it but I thought I read somewhere that was the disadvantage to that particular type of valve gear on real engines, and why you only really see it on little ones that don't go very fast or very far. It's entirely possible that I am wrong though... you certainly mustn't believe everything you read on the internet. Regardless, I would love to have a locomotive with Hackworth gear. I would especially love one of those DJB engines. I am exactly the kind of person that would enjoy a half hour or so of mucking about with a fire before actually being able to run the locomotive.

GardenSteamer · Post by **GardenSteamer** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:02 pm

Yes, you most certainly can notch up Hackworth gear and I have found that Robert runs much better "notched" when fully warmed up.

I often run it at steam shows as it is such a tame engine to run that you can chat to people without letting the fire out (been there, done that etc!)

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:25 am

How interesting. I would have thought without a combination lever i wouldn't be possible to "notch up", but again, you know, I shouldn't comment. Adding a combination lever to Walschaert's valve gear renders it too complicated for me to comprehend. I notice some Hackworth valve gear has a curved slide rather than a straight one. I wonder if this helps in adjusting valve lead and lag.

Oh well, I am not going to bother trying to figure it out. I certainly like the DJB engine. It sounds very nice indeed. Perhaps someday I will be able to get one like it.

DolwyddelanLightRail · Post by **DolwyddelanLightRail** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 10:58 am

Keith S:79618 wrote:THAT Bertie is my favourite Doug...

My username may start with a D but it definately isn't Doug

Keith S · Post by **Keith S** » Tue Jan 22, 2013 1:47 pm

Oops! Sorry! I didn't look carefully at the "avatar" picture! I don't know why I assumed it was Douglas who posted that picture. Sorry James. It IS James isn't it?

The other day I was at the gym I have been going to for eight years and I stood right beside the stairs leading upstairs to the entrance, rattling the furnace-room door and wondering why they'd locked us all in. I'm getting dotty.

I wouldn't want anyone thinking I was Douglas either. Please accept my apologies.

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