I wouldn't call keeping the fire going a waste of steam, besides, they use the blower all the time with the full scale steamers. Anyway, still think its a neat idea to use coal, even though I get along fine with butane (had to fit a goodall valve, though, I need an injector to get the max run time).
How d'you refill the lubricator on the fly without drenching yourself in hot water, oil, and steam? Or do you just kill the fire every time you have to re-fill it? If the latter, I'd imagine that'd be a big waste of coal...Speaking of which, I read on the reply to roaming2 that you have to keep a load on 'er or the fire goes out (Something to do with the draft?). Why not fit a steam blower that operates off of one of the steam ports on the throttle fitting? Ruby's a grand engine, butane or coal!
The lubricator is a displacement type like on the butane model. By closing the steam regulator, you stop the steam flow through the lubricator to the cylinders. With the regulator closed I can remove the top and refill with steam oil as required. Usually once during a 30-40 minute run.
I do have a blower on the loco, but why waste steam from that small boiler to keep the fire going? Better to add a load to pull and use the steam to make the engine work. Good question.
@roaming2 Yup, those are all real logs. This little engine will pull a lot of load. You have to put a load behind her to make her work or you will lose the fire.
Most of the time no, but now and then something doesn't go just right and you have to work at it more than usual. It is fun to run, but a lot of work.
@chooch911
I wouldn't call keeping the fire going a waste of steam, besides, they use the blower all the time with the full scale steamers. Anyway, still think its a neat idea to use coal, even though I get along fine with butane (had to fit a goodall valve, though, I need an injector to get the max run time).
Shipwright1918 9 months ago
How d'you refill the lubricator on the fly without drenching yourself in hot water, oil, and steam? Or do you just kill the fire every time you have to re-fill it? If the latter, I'd imagine that'd be a big waste of coal...Speaking of which, I read on the reply to roaming2 that you have to keep a load on 'er or the fire goes out (Something to do with the draft?). Why not fit a steam blower that operates off of one of the steam ports on the throttle fitting? Ruby's a grand engine, butane or coal!
Shipwright1918 1 year ago
@Shipwright1918
The lubricator is a displacement type like on the butane model. By closing the steam regulator, you stop the steam flow through the lubricator to the cylinders. With the regulator closed I can remove the top and refill with steam oil as required. Usually once during a 30-40 minute run.
I do have a blower on the loco, but why waste steam from that small boiler to keep the fire going? Better to add a load to pull and use the steam to make the engine work. Good question.
chooch911 1 year ago
Is the train hauling real logs?
roaming2 2 years ago
@roaming2 Yup, those are all real logs. This little engine will pull a lot of load. You have to put a load behind her to make her work or you will lose the fire.
chooch911 1 year ago
Great setup and video!
RamonaSteam 3 years ago
Is it hard to fire?
chappybolo 4 years ago
Most of the time no, but now and then something doesn't go just right and you have to work at it more than usual. It is fun to run, but a lot of work.
chooch911 3 years ago