G1MRA Newsletter and Journal #196
I was just corresponding with Jim Curry about issue #196 which was mailed in England about 6-7 weeks ago. I have not received my issue. Has anyone in the US received their issue? To Dave Cole, Which address am I supposed to use to post to the list? I have deleted any reference that I had to the proper address. Thanks, Dan Fuller
Re: Aster Alisan Shay learning curve
I have an Aster Schools alcohol fired engine. It ran fine indoors or during the summer, but I had trouble during cooler/cold running. I also tried the aluminum foil route and was surprised how much better the engine ran -read that to mean make steam-. I ended up bending a thin brass baffle to put over the bottom of the fire box. I drilled holes approximately 50% larger than the wick cups. If the exhaust starts to smell too bad, open up the holes slightly larger. Another suggestion: If it is not too hard, look into the smoke box. Having a totally sealed smoke box is very important. Even a seemingly small pin hole air leak can have major consequences. If needed, get some silicone caulk and block any airleak. This might be needed on the smoke box door also. Just use bathroom caulk, it works fine. Be careful applying the caulk. You can make a mess in no time flat! Use a toothpick or similar item to spread the caulk. I am not familiar with the Aster shay, but check the entire fire route for air leaks. Because of the smokebox draft, a leak will not manifest itself with flames shooting out, but will allow cold air to enter in. As you have found, a alcohol fired engine is usually running on the ragged edge of having enough steam. An engine with a water pump, you must have a higher fire than normally would be required without one (obviously). I have an Aster Jumbo with a very small boiler and (as Aster puts it) an efficient water pump (actually, about 50% over sized). I needed a fierce fire to handle the cold water entering such a small boiler. As a result, I probably get more blowing off of the safety valve than most engines, but without messing with the wicks, I can run the engine in cold weather with no problems. As you are realizing, alcohol firing requires you to think about some of the same things that real locomotive firemen and engineers had to think about. Dan Fuller Carrollton, Texas
Size of Accucraft K-27?
I am building a track and due to space limitations, I have a clearance problem. I need to know the size of the Accucraft K-27. I saw them at Diamondhead and they are huge. Real railroads had to limit engines on certain tracks, and I may need to do the same. I think that the C-16 will be ok. What is the size of the loading gauge for the K-27? Just overall height above the rails and the total width is all I need. What is the minimum radius for the K-27? Dan Fuller Carrollton, Texas
GWR Power bogie
Keith, Page 64 of the Vertical Boiler Locos book has the following: 4 coupled wheels 2 cylinders 12 dia x 16 stroke Walschaerts gear 8 ft wheel base # 0801-0802 wheel dia 3'8 # 0803-0836 wheel dia 3'6 1/2 remainder (unsure how many more, but there were a lot)wheel dia 4' boilers were all 9'6 high minimum dia of 4'6 and max dia of 6' Railmotors with the 3'6 wheels were on coaches of 59'6 Most Railmotors with the 4' wheels were on coaches of 70' These also had luggage compartments in the coaches all had gas lighting. If you need other info, please e-mail me. Dan Fuller
Re: GWR Power bogie
Keith, I just noticed more info from Abbott's VBL book, Page 82: Kerr Stuart made 12 units similar to those built at Swindon and Wolverhampton same stroke and bore wheel base 8 feet wheel dia 3' 7 1/2 Dan
scale autos
I just received a catalog from the National Motor Museum Mint that has 1:18, 1:24, 1:32, and 1:43 scale autos. www.motormint.com FYI I also noticed that they only ship to the USA. Dan Fuller
finding alcohol leaks
When ever you have an alcohol leak and it is not obvious where it is, get some baby power or similar and dust the tank or offending part. Put the alcohol in the tank and look for the damp power. It works like a champ. I have had small leaks that would not show up with any other home test. Clean up and re-solder. Dan Fuller
NYC Hudson
Richard, One other item to check for with the pump; check the intake in the tender. I have an Aster Jumbo that would pump water with the hand pump, but the axle pump would not work. After spending much time with the axle pump, I realized that the pickup in the tender was an eyelash from the tender floor. Far enough away to allow the hand pump to work, but to close for the axle pump to get enough suction to work. I cut some slits in the pickup assembly and the axle pump works wonders. Dan Fuller
