Accucraft Wrekin - live steam starter

M

markrussell

1/6 Scale Tanks, Garden Railways
Hi all..I have just ordered an Accucraft Wrekin and will take delivery on Thursday..I'm new to live steam and any tips with respect to the first and subcequent runs would be apreciated..Thanks..Mark
 
I have a RH lady anne, also relative newcomer. Read the instructions. Be careful (especially if you are runing manually) to verge on too little regulator as you start to avoid heart - in - the mouth negotation of curves. Mostly enjoy. Steam her up on blocks to get used to controls. Also if you don't get the realistic running you required on your first 5 runs don't worry as you kind of get a feel for it as you play. I mean test.
 
CoggesRailway said:
Also if you don't get the realistic running you required on your first 5 runs don't worry as you kind of get a feel for it as you play. I mean test.
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Please remember that, unlike Roundhouse offerings, your loco won't have been run in before delivery.
So not only your but also your loco's performance will improve as you run it. :bigsmile:
 
I would say follow any instructions to the letter, especially regarding lubrication , then enjoy & enjoy some more. Look at her from every angle , savior the smell, listen to the sounds ....( sorry getting carried away here!)
Don't be frightened of her either . Live steam is like vampirism once bitten never the same . Also avoid water with lime content!
Cheers Garry
 
One word..............gloves. Keep a pair handy they do get hot!

:bigsmile:
 
bobg said:
One word..............gloves. Keep a pair handy they do get hot!

:bigsmile:
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Agreed - Roundhouse supply them with each loco for good reason. Mind you, you'll soon become a dedicated member of the "burned finger" brigade and smile through it. :bigsmile:
 
You will need some steam oil it as does come in the box, and probably a gas can adapter (in time) so you can use big (cheaper to use cans) but a can of lighter gas will do to get started. Unscrew both the gas regulator and the steam regulator and smear a small amount of vaseline or silicone grease onto the threads and the "O" rings, this will make those controls a lot smoother and easier to fine tune. When track testing to start with keep the fire low and the steam regulator on the lean side, aim for about 30 - 40 psi and just ease the steam reg open abit at a time. Running on blocks is one thing but track running can be totally different, you can easily have a runanway. Best to put a heavy wagon or two behind to start with.

Err one more thing if running manually you will need a pretty level track.
 
The main point you may struggle with I would say, is lighting the burner - it can flare up and shoot flames out of the smokebox, as liquid gas comes through the jet before things settle. Don't panic! You can close the gas valve for a second or two to control it.

before you light up, it is worth opening the gas for 5 or 10 seconds (in the open, not indoors!) and letting any liquid pass - you will hear the change in the sound. Then allow the gas to disperse for a minute, and then light - don't turn the gas up too high when lit, it will burn in the smokebox and ruin the paint. You will soon get the feel of it.

I note Neil R's comment about running in, and agree entirely, but I do see that recent Accu locomotives seem to run better out of the box than they used to - I think their manufacturing tolerances have improved.

Have fun!
 
I have got a Mortimer, here are my tips. Baby wipes are fantastic de greasers and clean the loco very well. Mine took a very long time to run in well, probably a couple of months of regular running. It prefers warm not cold gas, with cold gas it is hard to get started but if you make sure the gas can is gently warmed it starts better. Enjoy.
 
Don't warm it with a flame,use warm water to stand the can in.

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Hi..I've got my Wrekin and had the first few runs last night outside in the dark with my security light brightening things up!

I have a few questions;

1. What does "Gently open the lubricator valve and blow out any condensed water" mean? And how do you do it?

2. How do you couple wagons to the loco?

3. How long would a run normally last on one fill of gas?

4. Is it ok to use butane/propane gas mix?

5. Does anybody have a Radio Controlled Wrekin who could post some pictures showing how it is done as I wish to fit RC to my Wrekin? I am fully conversant in RC but not in live steam loco's.

Well I think that's about it for now.

Thanks,

Mark
 
Hi Mark

1. Unscrew the toggle underneath the lubricator (under the footplate) a couple of turns - careful, it;s hot - and open the throttle with the loco in mid gear. It's gooey.....

2. mm, I thought that was pretty obvious, the chopper couplings fit together like a latch. If are using chain, from the little hook on the top of the chopper coupling to the equivalent on a wagon - or paper clips are the old stand-by!

3. 20 minutes or so. Longer as the loco runs in and you get the hang of it.

4. yes

5. The 'factory' (not really factory, they're done in the uK) fit is one standard servo in each tank, you will see there are holes already there for standard servo mounting posts. The regulator (left) one uses a 90 degree bell crank on the footplate (again, holes are pre drilled) to transfer linkage to the throttle arm. The reverser (right) uses a simple linkage to the hole in the reverser lever - you need to remove the latching bolt from the lever! The Rx and cells go in the little flap under the footplate held shut by the central bolt by the buffer beam underneath - it's a tight fit in there! Use Planet 5 2.4 Ghz for best cheap results, it's not worth messing about with 27 or 40 now, too much rusty bolt effect glitching anyway.

That OK?
 
Thanks for that!

Does anybody have any pictures that they could post of the RC in a Wrekin?

Thanks,

Mark
 
One thing I have done, is to fill the water in-line with the instructions for r/house locos, brim it and take away around 60mls, this gives space for the water to expand and boil. The accucraft method is to brim it open the over flow (the heating water escapes as it expands) and close it once steam is flowing through the overflow.

I couldn't get on with fiddling with the valve in a cloud of hot steam, and that little extension thing they supply I find is damn near useless.

On my Edrig, I find there is still water left after the gas has run out using this method (especially if you;ve blown the gas through the burner as described above)
 
markrussell said:
Hi all..I have just ordered an Accucraft Wrekin and will take delivery on Thursday..I'm new to live steam and any tips with respect to the first and subcequent runs would be apreciated..Thanks..Mark
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There has been a lot off good advice given already Mark. Do bear in mind that this is a new locomotive and the gas burner will be comparatively noisy and the run time comparatively short until the locomotive has a few hours running in the log. Don't be too keen to fit RC ? these locos are very tractable and I nowadays prefer manual running.


As you go through the learning curve there are lots of different things you can do to improve your locomotive, from glazing the spectacle plate (just press in from ACME engineering, adding extra detail and fitting a whistle. These Accuraft models are ideal for modifying IMHO and I wish you all the pleasure I have had over the years from my steam motive power...




Bestest




Tag
 
Before you clean the loco after a run,let it cool first because the paint will soften with the heat.
 
Hi all..Thanks for all the advice..Any idea as to how many of the Accucraft 4 wheel wagons the Wrekin will pull?..Thanks Mark.
 
markrussell said:
Hi all..Thanks for all the advice..Any idea as to how many of the Accucraft 4 wheel wagons the Wrekin will pull?..Thanks Mark.
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Probably more than we can afford.
 
Mark,
Can you send a photo of your Wrekin?
 
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