New Steamer and Steamist

[adeshers]

Well I've gone over to the 'Dark Side' and treated myself to a maroon Accucraft Ragleth with R/C.
A few photos will follow of my first two steam-ups and I have to say I'm smitten. :love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
From what I've read I was surprised at how smooth the little dragon ran straight out of the box - but I appreciate it will be some time before she's run-in.

The only difficulty I experienced was getting the burner to stay lit in the first instance (this happened on both steamings and again on the second steaming when my fiddling with the gas valve caused the flame to go out). Getting the balance between the gas igniting in the smokebox (but not the 'firebox') and it going out altogether was trying my patience. Is this perhaps because the gas valve knob is new and a little stiff as there seems to be very little differentiation between just the right amount of gas and no gas at all (at least to get the gas burning constantly and in the correct place)? Once alight and burning steadily the gas could be controlled quite easily (until my hamfisted attempt on the second steam up highlighted above) :impatient:

Anyhow here are the pics.

 

[Ferrysteam]

Hi Adrian,
When you fill the gas tank,open the smokebox door and turn the gas tap on for a few seconds to let the excess gas out.When you light the gas,don't turn it up too much,let it burn for at least thirty seconds before closing the door.....Allan...Lovely engine.

 

[tagorton]

Coupla things you can do here. If you wind the gas valve right out and put a smear of vas or KY Jelly on the 0 ring it will help. Also try just half filling with gas and then lighting. Let it burn for a bit then turn it off, top up the gas and relight. You should find you have no more trouble.

Bestest

Tag

Congrats on joining the steamy side. Your light sabre is in the post. Nxt step coal firing...

 

[adeshers]

Coupla things you can do here. If you wind the gas valve right out and put a smear of vas or KY Jelly on the 0 ring it will help. Also try just half filling with gas and then lighting. Let it burn for a bit then turn it off, top up the gas and relight. You should find you have no more trouble.

Bestest

Tag

Congrats on joining the steamy side. Your light sabre is in the post. Nxt step coal firing...

That's what worries me - what would I do with all that slag

Thanks for the tips Tag and Allan, I'll let you know how I get on (if this weather keeps up it will be soon).

 

[Cyclone]

Nice pics and thanks for the advice.
My ragleths gas valve isn't the easiest to control, often having a lag like effect.

 

[maxi-model]

Welcome to the dark side. Your loco looks a stunner.
If you are having difficulty controling the gas flow try unscrewing the gas contol valve and withdrawing it and smearing a little steam oil on the little rubbber sealing "o" ring. that should help.
If you are having trouble lighting it might be worth replacing the supplied gas jet with a decent Ronson #6, the broaching on the Accucraft suppllied item is known to be suspect and can cause lighting problems.
If you are replacing the the jet it is worthwhile blowing through the pipe from the tank to the burner to clear a minor debris that may have come from the tank, you can also do this trick to remove any partial blockage of the gas jet. This can also cause difficulties in lighting up.
It also helps to leave it a little while after filling with gas to allow things to settle before lighting and then leaving the burner turned up a little bit for a minute or two to avoid inadvertently blowing the burner out .
Happy steamings, look forward to seeing your loco in revenue earning service.
Max

 

[bobg]

it might be worth replacing the supplied gas jet with a decent Ronson #6, the broaching on the Accucraft suppllied item is known to be suspect and can cause lighting problems.
Max

Interesting advice. but where would one obtain a Ronson #6 jet, and would that size also be suitable for a Countess?

Well done Ade, keep on steaming!!

 

[maxi-model]

it might be worth replacing the supplied gas jet with a decent Ronson #6, the broaching on the Accucraft suppllied item is known to be suspect and can cause lighting problems.
Max

Interesting advice. but where would one obtain a Ronson #6 jet, and would that size also be suitable for a Countess?

Have a word with Mike Derby at Chuffed2Bits (no finacial connection whatsoever). He has done all my Accucraft loco's - Lyn, Countess, NG16 , Shay - with this simple "mod" and it has made them much more reliable and liveable with in this area. I am not sure if the holder's threading needs altering.
Mike is an Accucraft service agent. He should be at Peterborough 16mm bash next weekend. Also does a nice little push-fit gas adapter that allows you to use those cheapie gas stove Butane canisters instead of those expensive screw-on EN whatsit type.
Max.

 

[Chris Bird]

Hi Ade
Congratulations on your first steamer. All good advice here, but I would practice more before going for any mod. You are not ham fisted - everyone finds it a bit tricky at times and I certainly had a few attempts when steaming my Wrekin and Ragleth conversion last week (and I have been doing it for a few years ).
I have found the jet on my Ragleth to be excellent and certainly does not need replacing. There is variation though and one on my older Edrig was a pain. The conversion from Mike Darby, plus an air control ring, transformed it. His Primus jets are 1 BA thread (rather than metric) and so he supplies them with a new housing.
As has been said, it is important to let some gas go to start with as liquid gas is in the feed tube and pulses out, making adjustment impossible. I made a video on steaming up Ragleth where you can see this happening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3W...feel of it pretty quickly. Enjoy :) Chris

 

[MRail]

Have a word with Mike Derby at Chuffed2Bits (no finacial connection whatsoever). He has done all my Accucraft loco's - Lyn, Countess, NG16 , Shay - with this simple "mod" and it has made them much more reliable and liveable with in this area. I am not sure if the holder's threading needs altering.

Mike/Chuffed2Bits does indeed supply the No 6 gas jet "off the shelf".
It comes with a jet holder and simply screws into the Accucraft burner.
No mod necessary.
A satisfied customer.

 

[FatController]

Looking good my young padawan! My raggy had a control collar already fitted, I adjusted this to partially cover the air holes and the flame now "pops" back every time.
It's also alot easier to control the loco when you get a nice load on it.

Happy steaming's and looking forward to some serious double headings sessions soon.

Steve

 

[adeshers]

Looking good my young padawan! My raggy had a control collar already fitted, I adjusted this to partially cover the air holes and the flame now "pops" back every time.
It's also alot easier to control the loco when you get a nice load on it.

Happy steaming's and looking forward to some serious double headings sessions soon.

Steve

Cheers Steve. Your post made me look closer at the burner assembly and then noticed the adjustable 'air collar'. Suitably adjusted and on two runs this afternoon it was a lot easier to light and keep lit.

I also added a little lubrication to the O ring seals on the gas valve and regulator.

My thanks to those who took the trouble to pass on their hints and tips, I appear to back on the straight and narrow.