Part 1 0f 2 - How to run a gas fired live steam locomotive

[rich81090]

how much are the gas canister for the engine?

[trainav8r]

@rich81090 If you use butane cartidges purchased from an Asian (Korean) grocery store by the case, they are about $1 a piece.

[rich81090]

@trainav8r really i thought they would be much more than that thankyou

[trainav8r]

@rich81090 That's for the butane cartridges. The butane/propane mix (primus) is about $4 for the small can and about $8 for the large 2202 can when purchased by the case.

[rich81090]

@trainav8r which is generally the better to use propane or butane? i know butane wont boil unless above -2C

[trainav8r]

@rich81090

NEVER use propane because the pressure is too high for the fuel tank in the locomotive. When it is cold outside we use a mix of 20% propane and 80% butane. When it is warm we use 100% butane.

[wslogger]

I would like to know where I can get that drain cock you have installed on the lubricator. Much nicer than the ones that come on the Accucraft live steamers.

[trainav8r]

I got it from Quisenberry Station. Call Royce, don't email him.

[trainav8r]

Should be. I assume that it is installed on the back of the boiler about 2/3rds the way up. If it is a Roundhouse loco, then someone installed the valve in place of an M5 plug that used to be there. If it is an Accucraft locomotive, then it's probably factory installed for a tender pump. In either case, you can use it with either an axle pump or hand pump in the tender.

[Rachmaninov08]

Ahhh, okay. So if my engine has a check valve, but doesn't come with a pump, then it should be fairly easy to install a water pump in the tender?

[Rachmaninov08]

Are "goodall valaves" and a "check valves the same thing?

[trainav8r]

Both follow the same principle. A Goodall valve replaces a filler cap to allow you to pump water into a boiler under pressure. It has a silicone tube over a hole in a pipe inserted in the boiler allowing water to flow in, but no steam can flow out. A check valve, is installed on the back of the boiler, allows water to flow in via a hand pump in the tender. A check valve has a steel ball that seats with steam pressure and a spring. The ball moves slightly to allow water to enter.

[DanielVolker]

Does this engine have a tender pump and water space in the tender or do you pump water directly from the bottle to the boiler?

[trainav8r]

This locomotive does not have a tender pump. A full boiler (filled by removing a plug in the cab) will run the locomotive for about an hour. If more water is needed while steaming, the Goodall valve and pump bottle is used. My K-28 has a tender pump and I don't need to use the Goddall valve on it.. Both tenders can hold water and a tender pump could be added to this locomotive.

[nicholasbreeden]

THANKS!