Steamy testing

C

Chris Bird

Steam,gardening, photography
Hi folks
My Roundhouse Katie has had an overhaul and I have fitted a new SSP Slomo. Fresh out of the workshop she needed testing, and as the sun was shining and the birds were singing, I made a little film the show off the Slomo and the FX Control.
You can see it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOaXIF35RJg
Cheers
Chris
 
I liked the birdsong as well!
Now, about this rather nice little loco..

So.. IF someone was to buy a steamy-engine, and fit the 'bits'..
Just how difficult is it to get a loco to stop at edge of frame like that?? ??? ;)

Is there also any truth that steam operators do not have any hair on the back of their hands, and no (working) nerve-ends in their fingers?? :o ;)

**Always been of the impression these things take ages to get running, are as temperamental as a menopausal camel, and as dangerous as a small thermonuclear device?**
??? ::) ;) ;)
 
Jaw-droppingly fantastic - I am not sure a garden railway can be much better than that! How I envy clever folk who understand oily, steamy things. :P
 
Thanks guys - and I can say that the birdsong is also genuine - no tricks at all :)

OK Phil - that is a lot of questions! Live steam locos for 16mm or G scale are not dangerous at all, provided you are sensible and do not grab the hot bits. If you buy a new Roundhouse or Accucraft loco they will work out of the box with no fuss. If they don't (pretty rare) then the manufacturer will sort it without fuss. If you buy an unseen, secondhand loco on Ebay or on a stall at a show, then there is a risk that it will need attention - but there are plenty of folk to help.

This loco has a Slomo inertia device which makes it seem very 'heavy'. it is slow and steady to start and will run on when you close the regulator. No brakes means you have to judge when to close off the steam. Without he Slomo these locos start fast and stop dead when you close the regulator, unless you have a heavy train behind. It is perfectly possible to drive them steadily though - just look at some of my Summerlandsteam Channel videos - most do not have a Slomo (it only fits a small number of loco types) and are pretty smooth. You would easily get the knack with practice.

I suspect that the majority of operators have hairy parts intact and sensitive fingers - they use common sense (mostly) and don't touch the hot bits :)
Cheers
Chris
 
Thanks Chris..

Very much a dream, but when I sell SWMBO into slavery.. ;) ;)
 
That's one of the best videos I have seen in years. Thank you. It ought to be obligatory viewing for all those who run their NG railways at TGV speeds! :)
 
My pleasure - and thank you for your kind words :)

The thing is that without the Slomo, it is much easier to drive fast. And even if you do drive slowly, the close in video camera can appear to double the speed.
Cheers
Chris
 
Great film Chris showing off the slow speed characteristics off a treat :) I would like to see a film of a train decelerating from say a scale speed of 25/30 mph to a stop, if you point me to one I would appreciate it. I am very tempted to add these to my Katie & Billy :D
 
garrymartin said:
Great film Chris showing off the slow speed characteristics off a treat :) I would like to see a film of a train decelerating from say a scale speed of 25/30 mph to a stop, if you point me to one I would appreciate it. I am very tempted to add these to my Katie & Billy :D
Click to expand...

Well Garry I doubt that there is a video of that. A scale 30mph is over 2 feet per second and that is very fast on the narrow gauge - other than the IOM and Maine Two Footers. Stopping distance will totally depend on the weight of the train, but my estimate is that you would need to completely close the regulator at least ten feet before you wanted to stop from that speed. The joy of the Slomo is that you can learn the technique. What you do know is that it will decelerate incredibly smoothly and you can stop it on the mark with a touch of reverse. It might be worth having a word with terry@smallsteamperformance.com.au
Cheers
Chris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top