Geoff, Gary, all,
It's probably not just me... but doesn't it seem like almost ANYTHING will
run on air!?!? (Hence my involuntary shudder at those Swap Shop postings
for Aster engines that include a phrase about "never operated, perfect
performance on air".) Practically speaking I think that running on air is
easier because of compressibilty (unlike our wet steam that gets even
wetter just a few microseconds after leaving the boiler) and because high
pressure air supplies are easy to come by (bicycle pumps, air brush pumps,
shop pumps, air brush canisters). You can generate 80+ with any of those.
You mentioned STO, when I was doing that I kept thinking "PTO" from my
experience with power take off facilities on the tractors (and even a Jeep)
that I operated (oft mangled) on what is now my Mother's ranch. Didn't
know that there actually was such a thing as an STO... yet again proving
that a good idea is good for several lives and several technologies.
The only obvious limitation of this technique is that balanced systems
(boiler, burner, fuel, water feed) lead to good locomotives. It is likely
that a mismatch of steam generation capability and engine (cylinder/valve
consumption) requirements will occur and the value of the chassis/engine
design will still have to be proven with a spec boiler and other systems.
But, as Goeff said, you can't beat steam for finding those pesky leaks and
for giving a heavy, wet, sloshy note for audibly checking the valve timing
(or lack thereof is more like it).
Regards!
-Richard
>You got it right about air testing not being the same as steam. Too tight
>of fittings
>and steam firing does not move anything, despite air working great. I love
>your idea
>of using a stationary plant with a STO (Steam Take Off valve, to borrow
>from farm
>machinery vocab) to operate a chasis in development.
>
>Geoff Spenceley wrote:
>
>> Richard wrote:
>>
>> It's also a handy steam take off for steam testing. I installed a monocock
>> valve on a Frank S. way back, and then later used it as the steam plant to
>> steam test the chassis on my American 4-4-0 way back when.
>>
>> That's a great idea for altho' running the engine and chasis on air for
>> valve setting checks etc. is OK-- the use of steam in the final test is
>> the ideal way to go. Then the rest of the loco can be assembled with
>> confidence. Why didn't I think of it, especially since I have an electric
>> powered stationary engine that would be ideal for indoor testing. No fumes,
>> no external fire, no destroyed hobby room.
>>
>> Geoff.
>>
>>
>
==================================================
Richard Finlayson
Check out: http://www.steamup.com/legend "Legend Steam Locomotives"
Check out: http://www.steamup.com/trailcreek "Trail Creek Models"
Check out: http://www.steamup.com "Steam In The Garden Online"
