Is there any way to adapt the hand pump injector to another engine? I've got a Ruby, and running out of gas isn't a problem, for it tends to last longer than the water, ergo, I need a way to put more water in the boiler whilst under steam pressure.
@Shipwright1918 : Your best bet for the Ruby would be a "Goodall valve"; it's a 1-way valve that functions similar to the check valve between the hand pump & boiler on this Shay. I use one on my Ruby & 2-cylinder Shay; just unscrew the brass filler cap & replace it with the Goodall valve. To fill while steaming, you use a squirt bottle with a mating fitting to pump distilled water thru the Goodall valve; a piece of silicone rubber in it seals the valve closed from steam but admits water.
@crazietraindude: 3 live steamers at the moment; this 3-cylinder Shay, a "Ruby #11" 2-4-2, & a Mich-Cal #2 2-cylinder Shay. I think I'm somewhere up around 20 electrically-powered locos! ;)
@8espritdrummer: Right now, these engines are going close to $2000. If you have a LEVEL layout, you can get an 0-4-0 Ruby live steamer starting around @ $450.
its a great train and vid btw and uve done great work. but frankly that locomotive would annoy me, i cant see it going that fast and the speed the pistons are moving at compared to the wheels makes me cringe, like when u see someone pedeling too fast on a bike for the speed there going at. but thats just me
its a great train and uve done some great work on the line. great vid!!! ;-D
@cprich22 : If it's speed you're looking for, get one of the Ruby's! (Mine is the BY FAR the fastest thing on the railroad! - Before I added radio control to slow it down on the grades, it wrecked spectacularly at something like 150 scale MPH!). REAL Shay's run slow, @ 12 MPH is typical - but this one will take @ 5 ~ 8 8-wheel cars up my 3% grade, where the Ruby struggles to pull ONE. On LEVEL track, the Ruby has pulled up to 14 cars; I usually run a 4 car train of Bachmann coaches with it.
Is converting the engine from inside to outside admission just a matter of turning the eccentrics 180º? It seems like all the valve gear would have to be reworked...
@Rachmaninov08: That's basically what I did; these engines tend to run better in reverse than forward out-of-the-box. This engine has a LOT of run time on it; by changing the admission, I now of plenty of power forward, though reverse is anemic. It's NOT a procedure for the faint-hearted! - First time took me about 3 tries to get it to run AT ALL. Best way to re-time is running the engine on compressed air & optimize each cylinder individually.
As it comes from Accucraft, it's a manually-controlled loco; I modified it for radio control, replacing the reversing lever with an RC servo, & adding an RC receiver & battery pack. Firing up (it's butane-gas fired), adding water (via a hand pump in the tender), lubrication, & boiler blowdown are all still done manually. I typically add water each lap around the railroad (the loco has a sight glass), at the highest grade point of the line.
On this railroad here (@ 3% grade), typically 6 ~ 8 eight-wheeled cars; it'd be a few less on a 5% grade, keeping steam pressure up would be even MORE critical. Car weight & rolling qualities would also affect how much it could pull.
Not really - some gas loss is always INHERENT in refueling a gas powered live steamer. The hose has a quick-release feature which limits to @ 1 second of gas loss. These large 10 oz. cans give me typically about 8 ~ 10 runs per can; there is ALWAYS some gas left in the can at too low a pressure to fill the tank when the can is near empty. At that point I put the hose on the can, open the valve, & let it just drain into the atmosphere so I can safely dispose of it.
As a minimum, an RC transmitter, RC receiver, 1 ~ 2 servos, battery pack, & on/off switch with wiring harness. Most RC systems come with all that in a single package. At the time I did the Shay conversion, I used a 75 MHz. RC car system. If you are buying a new system now, go with one of the "Spectrum" digital radios - just converted my Ruby to RC with one.
Actually, not really that big, as garden railroads go - mainline length is @ 160 feet. If you total up the 2 long passing sidings, engine terminal trackage, & the new mining branch, I have maybe @ 250 feet of track total out there. For comparison, just read about a garden layout out west with @ 4000 feet of track! I do have relatively broad curves (11.5 foot diameter min. for the main), so that may make the RR look larger than it actually is. :)
The engineer was removed while I gave the Shay a major overhaul (new piston rings & valve retiming) which requred some major disassembly work. He was something I had added anyway, just stuck in place with silicone rubber. I'm trying to come with an engineer that would actually be in the cab window - a bit difficult since Accucraft put the lubricator in what would normally be the engineer's spot in the cab. ;)
As a model, its' running; I don't know if there's a prototype for it (it's really Tweetsie RR #12 in an E.B.T. paint scheme). It's probably eventually going to be relettered for my fictious "Watuppa Railway". ;)
With the method I used to control the reverse valve, a throttle servo is UNNECESSARY; by varying HOW FAR I move the reverse valve in or out, it SIMULTANEOUSLY functions as a throttle! ;) I use the original manual throttle primarily as a "master steam on/off valve" (for example, to shut off steam for refilling the lubricator while the boiler's still pressurized).
only 5 mins i think i might stick to hornby live steam that is when i get one if i get i am only 11 but do check out my vids TYPE IDOANYVIS AND WATCH MY SET ALIVE
As long as the steam pressure is up, they're very comparable in speed & pulling power to the Bachmann 2-truck Shays (which I have several of). The live-steam Shays ARE more sensitive to grades; you need to really watch steam pressure going upgrade with any kind of load. This loco typically will handle a 6 ~ 8 car train up my 3% grade. It has insulated drivers, so runs very well with electrics; double-heads NICELY with a Bachmann Shay! ;)
Would you recomend fueling a Ruby after she gets pressure up? I know they have a smaller boiler than the shays(not to mention no way of adding water while steam is up) I've always been worried about running the boiler dry by doing that.
I've got a Ruby #11 myself, & my own experience has been that it almost always runs out of water BEFORE fuel, so I WOULDN'T recommend pre-heating the boiler as I did here with the Shay, unless you installed a Goodall valve (which allows injecting water into the boiler while under steam from an external pump bottle). I think they're available from Quisenberry Station.
Her name's "Skippy", she's 15 years old & a real sweet pet. I was actually delighted to see her up on the railroad when I was shooting this - she was VERY sick a couple days before & I had to rush her to an emergency vet! (The vet bill would've put another Bachmann 3-truck Shay on the roster!). {:-P Happily, she's back to normal! :)
@kerbizetimus : Thank you! :) Hope to have more video in the future as soon as I increase hard drive size on my PC for editing!
WA1LBK 1 year ago
Is there any way to adapt the hand pump injector to another engine? I've got a Ruby, and running out of gas isn't a problem, for it tends to last longer than the water, ergo, I need a way to put more water in the boiler whilst under steam pressure.
Know anything that might fit my bill?
Shipwright1918 1 year ago
@Shipwright1918 : Your best bet for the Ruby would be a "Goodall valve"; it's a 1-way valve that functions similar to the check valve between the hand pump & boiler on this Shay. I use one on my Ruby & 2-cylinder Shay; just unscrew the brass filler cap & replace it with the Goodall valve. To fill while steaming, you use a squirt bottle with a mating fitting to pump distilled water thru the Goodall valve; a piece of silicone rubber in it seals the valve closed from steam but admits water.
WA1LBK 1 year ago
how many locos do you have?
crazietraindude 2 years ago
@crazietraindude: 3 live steamers at the moment; this 3-cylinder Shay, a "Ruby #11" 2-4-2, & a Mich-Cal #2 2-cylinder Shay. I think I'm somewhere up around 20 electrically-powered locos! ;)
WA1LBK 1 year ago
How much coast that in new?
8espritdrummer 2 years ago
@8espritdrummer: Right now, these engines are going close to $2000. If you have a LEVEL layout, you can get an 0-4-0 Ruby live steamer starting around @ $450.
WA1LBK 1 year ago
its a great train and vid btw and uve done great work. but frankly that locomotive would annoy me, i cant see it going that fast and the speed the pistons are moving at compared to the wheels makes me cringe, like when u see someone pedeling too fast on a bike for the speed there going at. but thats just me
its a great train and uve done some great work on the line. great vid!!! ;-D
cprich22 2 years ago
@cprich22 : If it's speed you're looking for, get one of the Ruby's! (Mine is the BY FAR the fastest thing on the railroad! - Before I added radio control to slow it down on the grades, it wrecked spectacularly at something like 150 scale MPH!). REAL Shay's run slow, @ 12 MPH is typical - but this one will take @ 5 ~ 8 8-wheel cars up my 3% grade, where the Ruby struggles to pull ONE. On LEVEL track, the Ruby has pulled up to 14 cars; I usually run a 4 car train of Bachmann coaches with it.
WA1LBK 1 year ago
Is converting the engine from inside to outside admission just a matter of turning the eccentrics 180º? It seems like all the valve gear would have to be reworked...
Rachmaninov08 2 years ago
@Rachmaninov08: That's basically what I did; these engines tend to run better in reverse than forward out-of-the-box. This engine has a LOT of run time on it; by changing the admission, I now of plenty of power forward, though reverse is anemic. It's NOT a procedure for the faint-hearted! - First time took me about 3 tries to get it to run AT ALL. Best way to re-time is running the engine on compressed air & optimize each cylinder individually.
WA1LBK 1 year ago
As it comes from Accucraft, it's a manually-controlled loco; I modified it for radio control, replacing the reversing lever with an RC servo, & adding an RC receiver & battery pack. Firing up (it's butane-gas fired), adding water (via a hand pump in the tender), lubrication, & boiler blowdown are all still done manually. I typically add water each lap around the railroad (the loco has a sight glass), at the highest grade point of the line.
WA1LBK 2 years ago
no water?
durangoandsilverton 2 years ago
run that engine at 5:30 it looks awesome
wippydobo321 2 years ago
Thanks! ;) Haven't been very active in hamming lately, though!
WA1LBK 2 years ago
73s and 88s
Palifiox 2 years ago
If it was going on a 5% grade how many cars can it pull.
bnsf261 2 years ago
On this railroad here (@ 3% grade), typically 6 ~ 8 eight-wheeled cars; it'd be a few less on a 5% grade, keeping steam pressure up would be even MORE critical. Car weight & rolling qualities would also affect how much it could pull.
WA1LBK 2 years ago
Thanks for posting these videos, i didn't know these live steamers existed. Nice onboard camera fotage too :)
ZetanCrisp 3 years ago
that still seems like a lot of fuel wasted letting the hose loose.
steved0689 3 years ago
Not really - some gas loss is always INHERENT in refueling a gas powered live steamer. The hose has a quick-release feature which limits to @ 1 second of gas loss. These large 10 oz. cans give me typically about 8 ~ 10 runs per can; there is ALWAYS some gas left in the can at too low a pressure to fill the tank when the can is near empty. At that point I put the hose on the can, open the valve, & let it just drain into the atmosphere so I can safely dispose of it.
WA1LBK 3 years ago
What would I need to add RC to a live steam loco?
Rachmaninov08 3 years ago
As a minimum, an RC transmitter, RC receiver, 1 ~ 2 servos, battery pack, & on/off switch with wiring harness. Most RC systems come with all that in a single package. At the time I did the Shay conversion, I used a 75 MHz. RC car system. If you are buying a new system now, go with one of the "Spectrum" digital radios - just converted my Ruby to RC with one.
WA1LBK 3 years ago
Can you tell me where you got the gas fitting from you show in your video
Wayne
wlgr53 3 years ago
where can i get one in canada
seanhewitt1 3 years ago
HOW MUCH DOES THE SHAY WEIGH
AdamDiggerman 3 years ago
@ 20 ~ 25 lbs, a bit heavier than a Bachmann electrically-powered 2-truck Shay (although pulls about the same).
WA1LBK 3 years ago
Does your SHay come with a whistle?
Inuyasha4lif 3 years ago
No; may add one in the future, there's a company called "Weltyk's Whistles" that makes add-on whistles for live steamers.
WA1LBK 2 years ago
run that 2-8
-0 it looks cool
wippydobo321 2 years ago
wow..i love it..A+
can you provide website
addy for shay loco purchases?
Steve
OSCALETRAINGUY 3 years ago
How big is your layout, Tom?? Looks pretty enormous!!!
steved0689 4 years ago
Actually, not really that big, as garden railroads go - mainline length is @ 160 feet. If you total up the 2 long passing sidings, engine terminal trackage, & the new mining branch, I have maybe @ 250 feet of track total out there. For comparison, just read about a garden layout out west with @ 4000 feet of track! I do have relatively broad curves (11.5 foot diameter min. for the main), so that may make the RR look larger than it actually is. :)
WA1LBK 4 years ago
Wow thats big
Inuyasha4lif 3 years ago
What happened to that engineer on the left side of the cab? Did it break or can it come of if you wanted too?
tbonez1965 4 years ago
The engineer was removed while I gave the Shay a major overhaul (new piston rings & valve retiming) which requred some major disassembly work. He was something I had added anyway, just stuck in place with silicone rubber. I'm trying to come with an engineer that would actually be in the cab window - a bit difficult since Accucraft put the lubricator in what would normally be the engineer's spot in the cab. ;)
WA1LBK 4 years ago
Is that east broad top painted 4-6-0 still running or is out of service?
tbonez1965 4 years ago
As a model, its' running; I don't know if there's a prototype for it (it's really Tweetsie RR #12 in an E.B.T. paint scheme). It's probably eventually going to be relettered for my fictious "Watuppa Railway". ;)
WA1LBK 4 years ago
I would Love an Accucraft K-28, maybe one day!
music1radio 4 years ago
shame you didnt fit a second servo to the regulator so you can control speed, nice video!
music1radio 4 years ago
With the method I used to control the reverse valve, a throttle servo is UNNECESSARY; by varying HOW FAR I move the reverse valve in or out, it SIMULTANEOUSLY functions as a throttle! ;) I use the original manual throttle primarily as a "master steam on/off valve" (for example, to shut off steam for refilling the lubricator while the boiler's still pressurized).
WA1LBK 4 years ago
only 5 mins i think i might stick to hornby live steam that is when i get one if i get i am only 11 but do check out my vids TYPE IDOANYVIS AND WATCH MY SET ALIVE
IDOANYVIDS 4 years ago
Tom, how do these compare to the Bachmann electrics for speed, pulling power...?
EdTimes 4 years ago
As long as the steam pressure is up, they're very comparable in speed & pulling power to the Bachmann 2-truck Shays (which I have several of). The live-steam Shays ARE more sensitive to grades; you need to really watch steam pressure going upgrade with any kind of load. This loco typically will handle a 6 ~ 8 car train up my 3% grade. It has insulated drivers, so runs very well with electrics; double-heads NICELY with a Bachmann Shay! ;)
WA1LBK 4 years ago
Would you recomend fueling a Ruby after she gets pressure up? I know they have a smaller boiler than the shays(not to mention no way of adding water while steam is up) I've always been worried about running the boiler dry by doing that.
kevinandrobert 4 years ago
I've got a Ruby #11 myself, & my own experience has been that it almost always runs out of water BEFORE fuel, so I WOULDN'T recommend pre-heating the boiler as I did here with the Shay, unless you installed a Goodall valve (which allows injecting water into the boiler while under steam from an external pump bottle). I think they're available from Quisenberry Station.
WA1LBK 4 years ago
The kitty part was cute. I have three of 'em.
NCStL576 4 years ago
Finally! Thanks Tom very nice!
traindude109 4 years ago
Cute kitty :-)
adfgfds 4 years ago
Her name's "Skippy", she's 15 years old & a real sweet pet. I was actually delighted to see her up on the railroad when I was shooting this - she was VERY sick a couple days before & I had to rush her to an emergency vet! (The vet bill would've put another Bachmann 3-truck Shay on the roster!). {:-P Happily, she's back to normal! :)
WA1LBK 4 years ago