frank s running a bit cool-thoughts and guidance please

stevedenver

stevedenver

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ive been running my engine , light, and it seems that about 10-15 mintues into the run-i have problems keeping bar at 2.2 or thereabouts-i always run just below blow off,
it drops pressure to about 1.5-1.2 and i periodically have to stop and wait for pressure to come up-particularly on a curve/grade section
ive keeping an eye on the water bath around the tank to keep pressure-
jet is clean-(at least i think so as it lights easily and stay lit and sounds as it always has and ive run it through several times with the cleaning wire as well as canned air

i would think that as the water drops it should be more efficient at keeping pressure
my layout has a 2-3 % grade and curves too

no leaks -anywhere


outside its been around 40F or so
normally on the flat, 1.5 BAR runs pretty efficiently even with 3-5 coaches
thoughts?
 
It sounds like your tank temperature is too cold, causing low pressure.
Are you using straight butane?
70-30 would help if you were using straight butane.
You guys run in a lot colder temperature than I would care to, Saturday was 65F near me and just right for steaming.
Steve
 
This time of year I run mine with a bit of mix - half mix, half butane. I also replace some of the tank bath with warm water about half way through. If it was the sort of engine you could modify, then a tank warmer would just hit the spot for winter running.
 
After these came out several companies offered conversions to move the gas tank to the cab to improve winter running.
 
I have two Frank-Ss. On myhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRfA...xt=C38f86afUDOEgsToPDskJZf4yRpJyl9YvMnvcmTGuy < Link To older one, my first live steam locomotive, I've moved the fuel tank into the left side tank. I've run it outside with temperatures well below freezing, but sometimes I need to use a hair dryer to warm it up enough to get it started. Once the flame is going the fuel tank stays nice and warm.

The second one has been highly modified, and the side tanks have been removed, so the fuel remains in the tender. I ran that one yesterday, with temps hovering around 32 degrees F. I began by filling the tank with a 70/30 mix, indoors. Then I warmed the tank with a hair dryer, and then added hot water from the tap--not boiling. The pressure hovered around 1.5 bars, but she ran well, as you can see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yfDLaf4ZYk&list=UU_W_G0gqYh0kDhH5rQk6fyg&index=1&feature=plcp < Link To here.
 
Nice video and nice open curves. :clap::bigsmile:
 
thanks guys
will head off for some mixed gas today and report
tom -from the quick run by-a red frank with brass domes! pretty cool
 
Steve,
I don't take credit for the brass domes, nor do I take credit for the neat conversion. I do take credit for being lucky enough to spot the loco on the Swap Shop this year at Diamondhead. I knew I had seen it somewhere before. When I got home I dug out my old pictures from Diamondhead '95 or '96. There it was...
Red%20Frank-S%20Resized.jpg


I hadn't seen the loco since then. We think it was converted by a gentleman named Gary Lyons. I'm just fortunate to have found it, and given it a good home. Then all I had to do was convince my wife. "Gee, Honey, doesn't it have such a nice plume?"
 
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