mitchell coe
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Its exactly why LGB went to the wall, we have a very limited market even worldwide for either American or european Mitchell
RIP - Roundhouse VoR
- Thread starter New Haven Neil
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pmorgan_cym
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I think for a model that should really have a limited appeal the VoR seems to have done rather well, there always seem to be a fair few around, it's not uncommon for RH to retire a model for the range only for it to return at a later date.
I was amazed at the cost of the L&M, compared to the VoR it almost looks like a bargain (it seems the R/c version is cheaper than the RC C&M 0-6-2), the loco looked pretty well detailed on the stand at Stoneleigh, something about the motion looked finer than usual, might just have been the overall bulk of the loco that some how made the motion look daintier. Some comments about the colour, but I think you'd need to see it in natural light rather than the strange lighting of Hall 2.
I imagine a lot of people would be put off by the size, I nudged the Mrs and commented "we're going to need a bigger garden", but size hasn't stop the VoR or Sandy River being a good seller for them in the past.
Just wonder whats they have in store for next year.
I was amazed at the cost of the L&M, compared to the VoR it almost looks like a bargain (it seems the R/c version is cheaper than the RC C&M 0-6-2), the loco looked pretty well detailed on the stand at Stoneleigh, something about the motion looked finer than usual, might just have been the overall bulk of the loco that some how made the motion look daintier. Some comments about the colour, but I think you'd need to see it in natural light rather than the strange lighting of Hall 2.
I imagine a lot of people would be put off by the size, I nudged the Mrs and commented "we're going to need a bigger garden", but size hasn't stop the VoR or Sandy River being a good seller for them in the past.
Just wonder whats they have in store for next year.
New Haven Neil
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bobg said:
Oops, missed that Bob! Yes I suppose that would work - might need to notch the blanking plugs to avoid covering the ports? A bit of a radical solution though!
I may just sell her I think, I'll grit my teeth regarding her sentimental value. I ran her at the weekend, and she does gallop along nicely with a good load, especially with the chuffer, but my line is too small for her really.
bobg
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New Haven Neil said:
Good scavenging isn't nearly as important on steam engines as it is on internal combustion. The worst it would probably mean in this scale is a bit more condensate to clear on start off, once the cyls were warmed through I doubt you'd find any difference. The problem is more about drilling new crank-pin holes accurately, or providing different wheel-sets. As they say, "Nothing is impossible", but "Is it worth the bother?" It's the sort of thing that might be sorted if/when they bring out the new version.
Chris Bird
Steam,gardening, photography
Neil - it is interesting to read about the problem with smooth running on the VoR. What is the diameter of the drivers? My L&B in the video yesterday has 42.5mm drivers and you can see how docile she is. My Argyll has 42mm drivers and is also very controllable. Both have the earlier, small steam chests, but I am not sure that this makes a difference. What does make a difference is the regulator. Yeo has a cone type (rather than the R/C type with an O ring) and is very progressive. The downside is that you need a decent pressure to get the power, because the opening is limited.
My Katie has small wheels and the R/C regulator and is a pain to start smoothly. I have wondered about putting the manual regulator back to see what happens.........
Cheers
Chris
My Katie has small wheels and the R/C regulator and is a pain to start smoothly. I have wondered about putting the manual regulator back to see what happens.........
Cheers
Chris
New Haven Neil
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That's interesting Chris - My Jack and Fowler are both very docile to pull away...the Fowler has the newer valve chests, I haven't ever looked under the covers of the Jack since I bought it but I suspect the older type. It was the last Jack built of the original batches. The VoR will have the new type, it's newer than the Fowler. All r/c of course 
. I should think the VoR has the same wheels as Argyll, its not that she isn't smooth, just goes too fast, too easily! Maybe I'm too picky, but my other 4 steamers are much easier to run slowly, the new 'Leader' in particular is a treat to shunt about with.
Up on blocks the VoR will turn over very slowly, so it's not a valve setting issue either. One thing I had thought about is the fact it is VERY heavy - it seems twice the weight of the Fowler - and maybe the amount of steam needed to overcome the 'stiction' then causes too great acceleration - and I know to modulate the regulator opening as soon as it begins to move! There's a fair bit of steam in the superheater though, to use first. On a friends much larger G1 line (that allows G scale running rights!!) it isn't an issue - wide radius curves, long line, apparent size of a train much smaller on the whole railway, it's a treat to drive there. Maybe it's just a perception thing. &:
Bob, you mean steam engines aren't schnurle ported??
That's where I have been going wrong! Joking aside, I'd love to experiment with something like that, maybe doing indicator diagams. On the subject of.... have you seen the digital one Station Road Steam are developing? Interesting!
. I should think the VoR has the same wheels as Argyll, its not that she isn't smooth, just goes too fast, too easily! Maybe I'm too picky, but my other 4 steamers are much easier to run slowly, the new 'Leader' in particular is a treat to shunt about with.Up on blocks the VoR will turn over very slowly, so it's not a valve setting issue either. One thing I had thought about is the fact it is VERY heavy - it seems twice the weight of the Fowler - and maybe the amount of steam needed to overcome the 'stiction' then causes too great acceleration - and I know to modulate the regulator opening as soon as it begins to move! There's a fair bit of steam in the superheater though, to use first. On a friends much larger G1 line (that allows G scale running rights!!) it isn't an issue - wide radius curves, long line, apparent size of a train much smaller on the whole railway, it's a treat to drive there. Maybe it's just a perception thing. &:
Bob, you mean steam engines aren't schnurle ported??
That's where I have been going wrong! Joking aside, I'd love to experiment with something like that, maybe doing indicator diagams. On the subject of.... have you seen the digital one Station Road Steam are developing? Interesting!
bobg
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New Haven Neil said:Bob, you mean steam engines aren't schnurle ported??
Well!!!! Not the one I'm currently building anyway. I haven't had a close look at the new SRS design, but may get a proper chance to very soon.New Haven Neil
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I'd be lost with steam diagrams, being a diesel engineer originally....but that indicator SRS were showing looked very tasty - I'd love to compare valvegears and stuff with it, maybe an LBSC v Martin Evans design comparison???? The New Haven liked 'Southern' valve gear, always wondered if it was actually any good compared to Baker, Stephensons and Walschaerts. Never mind the oddities! (Insert favourite oddity here - baguley-price??)
bobg
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All these Engineers (with a very big "E") were very much geniuses in their own right, but there is very little that can be done to improve the mechanical effiency of a steam engine, and to a large extent I tend to think they were largely clutching at straws. However an awful lot of the design and research has paid back divdends in more recent years, but in fields other than steam.
Initially 3% efficiency would seem to be an easy place to start to improve upon, but many of these improvements could have been completely outstripped by simply doubling the thickness of the lagging round the boiler. A 1% gain, on a 3% start, isn't 4%! It's only 3.03%. Pretty gauling when you've just spent a fortune and months/years of work looking for that improvement.
Initially 3% efficiency would seem to be an easy place to start to improve upon, but many of these improvements could have been completely outstripped by simply doubling the thickness of the lagging round the boiler. A 1% gain, on a 3% start, isn't 4%! It's only 3.03%. Pretty gauling when you've just spent a fortune and months/years of work looking for that improvement.
New Haven Neil
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I thought that would get your attention, John!
As of Yesterday I have had my re-bushed rods put back on, boiler boxed back up after inspection and steam tested, ready for another seasons work before withdrawal next winter for a heavy 10 yearly overhaul. Must see a shrink as I'm convinced no one really understands my valve gearNew Haven Neil said:
Happy steamings,
John
New Haven Neil
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'Allegedly' no-one understands how to set the valve timing - but if that was the case, then Sea Lion & friends wouldn't run......