Introduction to Live Steam Shay (Part 1)

If you've ever thought about getting into small-scale (G gauge)Live Steam, here's the basics of running an Accucraft 3-cylinder Shay.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• model
• railroads
• trains

[Ibringthetruth1]

Deionized water has all the ions removed.  You test it?

[WA1LBK]

Deionized water should NEVER be used in small-scale live-steam boilers! - It will attack the silver-soldered joints on the copper boiler, causing them to leak or fail under pressure. (We use it at work for cleaning soldering iron tips for electronics). Distilled water is CHEAP & readily available - I usually get it at the local CVS, $1.50 / gallon. I've occasionally gotten it even cheaper at Wal-Mart, but availability is spottier; CVS usually has plenty of it in stock. ;)

[WA1LBK]

Right now, they're running around $1800 ~ $2000.

[The301trainman]

Thanks Tom for getting back

I'm thinking that it was just a cool day but I don't know ? I'm the only one around that has live steam ? I would love to come up next summer for a day if steaming to compare run times and shays ..

Thanks

Shawn

[WA1LBK]

Hi Shawn, yes, running times are DEFINITELY shorter in cold weather; also expect less pulling power. Butane won't even vaporize under 32 F; on the few times that I've run in temps under 32 F, I've fueled & lit the fire in the loco in a warm location before bringing it outside (the proximity of the fuel tank to boiler keeps the fuel tank warm enough). Remember it's tougher to boil water in cold; one of my videos shows a steam-up at 22 F - the host PRE-HEATED the water in a large coffee pot!

[TheRush341]

Can you please make a video of firing and oiling the ruby?



[WA1LBK]

I may eventually, but most of what you see here is also applicable to the Ruby's. Only differences are lack of water (& maybe pressure) gauge on the Ruby & different oil points on the valve gear. Adding a Goodall valve to the Ruby (so you can add water while under steam) is a good idea, as the Ruby usually seems to run out of water before fuel. If a Ruby stops while running with the fire roaring away, the boiler has probably run dry - kill the fire immediately & allow it to cool slowly.

[floamman]

@TheRush341 I just made such a video. Check it out.

[Ibringthetruth1]

@WA1LBK

modelsteam.myfreeforum .  org/archive/de-ionised-water__­o_t__t_35391.html

Someone said pure h2o is bad also. thanks. just curious about that.

[2124reading]

@Ibringthetruth1 Thank you

[Ibringthetruth1]

@2124reading nmia  . com/~vrbass/steam/stmintro.htm­#power

[Ibringthetruth1]

It's sad that they don't make these more affordable.

[2124reading]

How much does one of those cost?