Peveril doesn't go

Northsider

Northsider

Modelling the Northern half of the Isle of Man
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I steamed my Accucraft Peveril last night, then drained and cleaned it. Tonight I raised steam, but opening the regulator did nothing in forward or reverse. The regulator handle is not turning on the spindle, so the throttle is opening. There is not the usual crackling in the smokebox. All screws seem tight, and it seems unlikely that the valve timing would have slipped. Any suggestions?
 
Hi Northsider, welcome.
I think you'd get a better response if this thread was in the Live Steam section. There are some seriously skilled live steamers there!

Mods: Can you move it please?
 
If there is pressure (safeties blowing) and the reg is opening, where, if anywhere, is the steam going?

Have you tried just moving it back and forwards to try to clear any condensate from the system, with the reg opened a little? As it is new there is little likelyhood that something is blocked, but it just could be that the whole steam feed/cylinder system is full of water which it is having difficulty shifting.
 
Moving it makes no difference -there is no condensate in the cylinders. I'm beginning to wonder if, despite only about a dozen steamings, and always using Accucraft steam oil, the steam pipe is blocked. The lubricator drain (which is positioned before the steam pipe passes through the fire tube) blows down as it should...
 
Sorry -new to this -don't know how to move a message -should I just delete & re-post?
 
Northsider said:
I'm beginning to wonder if, despite only about a dozen steamings, and always using Accucraft steam oil, the steam pipe is blocked. The lubricator drain (which is positioned before the steam pipe passes through the fire tube) blows down as it should...
Click to expand...
I've no idea what is involved in removal of the steam/superheater pipe on this particular model but from what you say taking it out would certainly help wilth locating the problem. If the pipe is blocked it may not be carbonised oil, it may perhaps be a small piece of manufacturing debris that wasn't flushed out.
 
Northsider said:
Moving it makes no difference -there is no condensate in the cylinders. I'm beginning to wonder if, despite only about a dozen steamings, and always using Accucraft steam oil, the steam pipe is blocked. The lubricator drain (which is positioned before the steam pipe passes through the fire tube) blows down as it should...
Click to expand...

From your descriptions it would appear you have some form of blockage on the way to the cylinders.

As it is a new engine I would suggest you contact Accucraft UK and get them to put you in touch with one of their local(ish) service agents and have it done under warrenty.

If you try pulling it apart yourself you risk nullifying any warrenties. I have found Accucraft UK to be very helpful and more than honourable under thse circumstances.

Max
 
Northsider said:
I steamed my Accucraft Peveril last night, then drained and cleaned it. Tonight I raised steam, but opening the regulator did nothing in forward or reverse. The regulator handle is not turning on the spindle, so the throttle is opening. There is not the usual crackling in the smokebox. All screws seem tight, and it seems unlikely that the valve timing would have slipped. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
What steam oil are you using in this locomotive?
 
It sounds to me the superheater is carbond up.
 
I've used Accucraft's own steam oil, bought at the same time as the loco. I've filled up the lubricator before every run and drained it out at the end of each session, as recommended. The only difference in running was that the loco sat simmering for ten minutes before I tried to run it, whereas it usually gets run immediately. It sounds like I need to contact the retailer in the first instance.
 
1. Is the loco radio control ?

2. does the regulator move properly ?

3. turn the loco upside down, put the loco in gear, can you turn the wheels with a little pressure ?

4. whilst being sat for 10mins did the safety valve blow off steam ?

5. does all the linkage to the reverser work ok ?
 
Answers to all your questions are yes; it looks like the superheater has coked up. I'm a bit surprised, given that I've only run the loco a few times. Let's hope its a blip, and not a characteristic.
 
Northsider said:
I've filled up the lubricator before every run and drained it out at the end of each session, as recommended. The only difference in running was that the loco sat simmering for ten minutes before I tried to run it, whereas it usually gets run immediately.
Click to expand...
It's possible that (over?) filling the lubricator before running could have introduced a fair bit of neat (as opposed to mixed with steam) oil into the superheater tube. This may have carbonised during the time the loco was simmering.
If this turns out to be the case changing the grade of oil may not solve it. IMHO your Accucraft dealer's advice would be the best as he/she/they would be obliged to sort it out again in the unlikely event that this is needed.
 
Only a suggestion. Dont hit me!
You did put some water in didn't you?

Thread moved to live steam.
 
Where are you Northsider? You need to take it to someone who will steam it with you. I'm in Northants so if you are near me I can help. Otherwise someone else will.
 
It sounds like a lump of solder or flux from the boiler not been cleaned well after manufacture has come lose and bocked the pipe. Send it back for repair under garantee.
 
Thanks John Saint Jim -I'm in Herts, so may well take you up on the offer: but I think, for now, I need to contact the retailer and see what the state of play is with the warranty. While I have tried to leave 1/4" clear above the top of the steam oil in the lubricator, I may be guilty of over-filling it; so if the warranty claim doesn't succeed, then hopefully a clean out should sort it -and a(nother) live steam lesson learned...
 
I'm in Herts, so might be a bit nearer than johnsaintjim.
 
Definitely agree about talking to the retailer before you do anything else. Doug will be a great help too and he's local to you.

Offer still stands to run it on my railway if you wish (Doug too... :) ). I have some Accucraft locos and it can help to see others in steam and talk to people who know what to look for/listen for/feel for/smell for (not usually taste for)... because we have done it quite a bit. I know when I was new to it all, that really helped me - and still does. Good luck with it.
 
Northsider, send it back and get it fixed by Accucraft. I doubt the issues are you. My Peveril has had tons of issues. The QC people were on vacation for this model.
 
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