These older Aster locos usually need some TLC before you can get them running again, unless, of course, it HAS recently been run.
The problem usually lies in the wicks, of which there are usually three in the older models like yours. The wick material needs to be changed for what is call ed 'Superwick' material, and the burners repacked in such a way that the new wicks are not too tight that they form a solid mass, or too loose and fall out - when inverted.
Let's assume that this has been done, and move to the firing up. You WILL need a blower fan - actually a suction fan. Meths, if that is what you intend to use, will be burning in a firebox, and needs a draught of air to keep going after light-up. They cost around £40 or so, and can be obtained from Geoff Calver at Rushford Barn [Google Rushford Barn] and a few other suppliers of Gauge 1 live-steamers.
So, in order -
a. Fill up the boiler to about half way using the tender pump. Then, having gotten the water into the boiler, fill up the tender again to maintain a ready store of water.
b. Fill up the meths tank about 3/4 full, and turn on the tap about 1/2 way. The meths will travel along the clear pipe to the burners, fill the bowl and dampen the wicks. Give it a minute to soak the wicks, then turn on the blower, and using a gas torch, light the burners up. TAKE GREAT CARE!!!! Meths burns with an invisible flame!!! You should be able to feel the heat [and smell] of the meth from the stack as the draught is drawn through the boiler.
c. Look inside the cab - there will be a throttle, and right next to it, another control wheel, this is the loco's own blower, and it uses steam exhausting from the stack via the blower pipe to induce a draught. As soon as the loco pressure gauge hits around 1.5 - 2 bar, open it up slightly so that you can hear it, and remove the fan blower. The pressure should quickly rise to working level of around 3 bar or so.
d. Put the loco in gear, and open the throttle. If nothing happens, this is because of water condensing in the cylinders. Operate the gear in each direction and they will soon clear and the loco will start to move. NOW, close the loco blower. Practice stopping and starting remembering that when you stop, there will be no draught, so you must use the blower while stationary.
e. Keep a VERY close eye on the water level, and don't let it get lower than 1/3rd of the glass. the Shay is a VERY busy loco, and will use water at an impressive rate. Mine needs a top up - little and often, about every hundred FEET.
When the loco starts to slow down for lack of fuel, let it do so, or, turn off the fuel tap and let it run down.
My best advice to you is to join the Gauge 1 Model Railway Association [G1MRA], where even now well over 50% of models are meth fired, or ethanol, if you can get it.
Your Shay, unless seriously well-cared for, will be a very tired little loco, and may well need some TLC before running as in in-case. There is nobody better at this than Geoff Calver, IMO. If you do make contact with him, tell him I sent you.
Watch Youtube for short vids of this little loco doing its thing, usually at ridiculous speeds - remember that the average track-speed of any Shay was around 7mph, hauling HUGE loads.
tac
G1MRA
PS - Trevor's original post - #1 here in this thread - has a link to a movie. In it, John Squire and I got this old gal going like a, uh, train.
