Blue Ragleth

[Ferrysteam]

Afternoon folks,
Got me safety valve back from the Milton Locomotive Works for shortening,must have been stuck in the post I think,anyway this is the blue Ragleth,I haven't steamed her yet because it's too windy but I will tomorrow,weather permitting.

 

[Ferrysteam]

And a comparison with Caradoc.

 

[Rosco]

Now that looks smart.

 

[Steve]

Very nice and so clean

 

[Old Tom]

Very, very nice.

Thanks for the side-by-side shot - it's shown me exactly what the differences are. They're subtle, but effective.

 

[New Haven Neil]

It's a funny thing - I normally have quite strong opinions about what I do and don't like.... but I just can't make my mind up on that blue!! Maybe some white/black/white lining would really set it off? Like the black Cara though......

edit - I like the shortened safety valve too!

 

[Ferrysteam]

It's a funny thing - I normally have quite strong opinions about what I do and don't like.... but I just can't make my mind up on that blue!! Maybe some white/black/white lining would really set it off? Like the black Cara though......

edit - I like the shortened safety valve too!

It's got the Milton valve bonnet over the safety valve but the safety valve has to be shortened so it doesn't protrude above the bonnet.

 

[Ferrysteam]

Afternoon,
Tested me Ragleth this afternoon.Tried her on the rollers first to make sure there were no leaks also to check the safety valve was lifting at 60lb.When it's been shortened it's usually set at 40lb but not on this occasion.

 

[Ferrysteam]

Everything seemed fine so onto the track.She was as smooth as silk in both directions.

 

[Ferrysteam]

Plenty of power as well,holding her buffer she'll pull till her wheels lose traction in forward and reverse equally,on dry track as well so the reverse valve is set correctly.

 

[Ferrysteam]

The engine is pure Edrig but with a cab,which I find more presentable.

 

[Ferrysteam]

I replaced that silly knob on the gas regulator with a lever from Line side Delights,also I turned the pressure gauge the right way round.

 

[Ferrysteam]

The gas filler valve is on the left tank the same as Edrig's so is easy to fill without using an adaptor.

 

[Ferrysteam]

I think the safety valve cover greatly improves the look of the engine as do the spec' glasses and gas valve lever instead of that awful knob that Accucraft seem so obsessed with.I also turned the pressure gauge the right way round.Over all I think Accucraft have made a very desirable engine here.It's very well made and performs brilliantly with ample power and smooth running at all speeds.

 

[brianthesnail96]

Very nice indeed- I really like the look of them, nicer than both Caradoc and Edrig I feel. Like NHN I'm not convinced by the blue though!

The mods you've made look very good- nice choice of cab controls. I also spy a collar on the burner primary inlet, would be interested to see what difference that makes. I know the Countess has one too, but that also has a lagged boiler.

 

[Rosco]

The boiler seems to have thicker gauge construction to the Edrig/Caradoc. That collar is interesting, it must improve something.

 

[Sea Lion]

I also spy a collar on the burner primary inlet, would be interested to see what difference that makes. I know the Countess has one too, but that also has a lagged boiler.

Yes well spotted Matt (who some of us know has delved into these things in depth) this collar seems to be standard now as part of the "continuous improvement" regime at Accucraft. It is on the new batch of Lyn as well as Countess and Ragleth. It allows the 'richness' of the air/gas mix to be adjusted and set at the factory, with improved combustion and some might say improved noise levels?

Happy steamings,

John

 

[Ferrysteam]

I've never found Accucraft burners to be noisy.I think people tend to have them turned up too high,they should be turned down as they warm up.The collar on the primary inlet doesn't seem to make any difference to the noise levels or the lighting of the burner.Maybe if the weather is particularly cold or windy,adjustment maybe effective.The boiler shell does seem much thicker than older Accucraft engines.The blue colour looks much better in real life,it's a bit darker than the pictures.I think lining out would make a great improvement to it's blandness.I would do it myself but I couldn't do it to my own satisfaction so I'll leave it for now.

 

[Ferrysteam]

A comparison with the Edrig boiler thickness and cab layout. Please excuse the picture quality,I am to a camera what a politician is to the truth..

 

[brianthesnail96]

It does look to be of a heavier gauge yes- I wonder why!

As for the collar, it's a bit of a bodge but should allow you to balance the burner better to the use the loco is put to, if you are working it hard you'll want it moved back to allow a greater amount of air through, closing off the holes should make the engine a little more efficient (up to a point) if you don't require so much steam- it needs balancing with the gas regulator to give the optimum fuel: air ratio.

Of course, if you aren't fussed about such things then you can always just shove it out the way and ignore it! Would be an easy retro fit if it does make a difference. I suppose I shall have to buy one someday and compare...