Stuart Victoria Model Live Steam Engine

The first run of the engine on only 5 lb of pressure. The Victoria is not supplied with drain cocks so I installed some under the cylinder that drain down to a little drain pipe where the rag is. Nearly finished, just need to re-route the exhaust to a condenser and put lagging on the steam line. That spitting sound is the oily condensate coming out of the exhaust pipe.
This engine uses many parts from the beam engine including cylinder, con rod and the 7" flywheel.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• steam
• engine
• stuart
• victoria
• mill
• live
• model

[Jez565]

Hi there I inherited one of these from my grandad when he passed away which he built himself. It's virtually the same as yours built on a board with the boilers and tanks mounted alongside the engine (forgive me for not knowing the correct jargon!) I've never run it or really taken it out of the plastic but I was wondering if u knew of anywhere I can take it to have it run? Also do u have any idea of their value? I don't want to sell it but just interested to find out. Thanks!

Jez

[garypaulsmith]

I think the best place to find out how much such things are worth would be eBay. There is a category for steam, you just have to filter out all the Mamods and Wilescos.

As for running it, you could try it with a couple of psi of compressed air first with lots of lube oil - car engine oil should be ok with air. If the boiler looks in anyway damaged, try taking it to a model railway club. They might be able to hydraulically test it. Where abouts are you based?

[skittlesmonkey]

question: if you were to put heptane ( pretty much the same boiling point but something like 30% lower heat of vaporization) in the boiler would u get a better performance or worse ?

[garypaulsmith]

To be honest, I have no idea. I wouldn't even know where to get heptane. Is it a gas or liquid? The boiler burns LPG.

I assume you don't mean to use it instead of water inside the boiler...

[eatmypies]

hi can tou give me the diameter of pipe you have from the boiler to the cylinder and what size fittings in millimetres would be very gratefull.

[garypaulsmith]

It's quarter inch pipe.

[Jez565]

I live near Worcester in the midlands. I might try and find a local model railway club and get sum info. Thanks I'll check eBay. They really are great machines and I'd love to see mine running. I don't know alot about them and to be honest I'm a bit scared of breaking something! It can't have been run for 15-20 years I think!

[superfunnyman123]

Just Beautiful!!!

[eatmypies]

try and replace your inlet pipe to the cylinder,it looks like it has a nip in it.hey not tryin to teach granny how to suck eggs ,but thats how i learnt,Seriously repllace it,and buy a good pipe bending tool,dont go for a spring type ok lovely set up be safe.

[eatmypies]

i bought a mamod in liverpool took it home and burnt the back kitchen down,i still have the scares were me mam battered to prove it