Steam in the garden - a learning curve!

The Caradoc arrived and so I had to get outside and steam it:
 

 
All ready to go.  I used my 'Hornby Live Steam' distilled water, steam oil and gloves (just in case):
 

 
I had a couple of problems (a quick read of the description on the YouTube vid will tell you what happened) but in the end, all went well:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81qTmu-giFM
 
Real steam does make a mess of your perfect ballasting, doesn't it?  Coal fired must be even worse!

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Love it.

Congratulations to your new aquisition.
A very reliable runner, you will be satisfied.
 
regards
Klaus

The ballast is far too clean anyway

Very nice!

One thing I will say, did you say you were using the Hornby steam oil? You might find it's a bit thin for the Accucraft locos, which are notoriously oil- thirsty. I think it's more a function of lubricator design than any any inadequacy of the cylinder design. I've no idea how thin the Hornby oil actually is, but judging by the size of the locos I'd guess "quite". Runs the risk of emptying the oil reservoir before you run out of gas you see, shouldn't really be a problem but probably better to be safe than sorry.

I'm trying to remember who does suitably thick steam oil now...

Pearse Steam oil would be thick and Roundhouse is slightly thinner

jimmytrains_0


Pearse Steam oil would be thick and Roundhouse is slightly thinner

AJ Reeves  &   Blackgate Engineering model engineer supplies do it.

well done Tom!-
 
now ..................
 
a branch line i think

brianthesnail96


The ballast is far too clean anyway

Very nice!

One thing I will say, did you say you were using the Hornby steam oil? You might find it's a bit thin for the Accucraft locos, which are notoriously oil- thirsty. I think it's more a function of lubricator design than any any inadequacy of the cylinder design. I've no idea how thin the Hornby oil actually is, but judging by the size of the locos I'd guess "quite". Runs the risk of emptying the oil reservoir before you run out of gas you see, shouldn't really be a problem but probably better to be safe than sorry.

I'm trying to remember who does suitably thick steam oil now...

 
Thanks for the heads up regarding thickness of oil Matt.   I hadn't thought about that
I end up with a nice, thick emulsified residue coming out of the oil reservoir when it's finished steaming - does that mean the Hornby oil is OK or should I be seeing clean oil coming out?  

www.chuffed2bits.com sells Morris steam oil which really suits Accucraft locos. Hornby steam oil should be fine but as previously stated it is a bit thin. 

Morris' steam oil is available direct from Morris', BUT you have to have 25ltr.
 
Of course that's 50 half ltrs which is a more sensible size, all you gotta do is find 49 other interested parties.
 

Rosco


www.chuffed2bits.com sells Morris steam oil which really suits Accucraft locos. Hornby steam oil should be fine but as previously stated it is a bit thin. 

Thanks for that link Rosco, I see that they also sell some other very interesting stuff.  Cheers! 

PPS also do decent steam oil.

Hello Old Tom, I dont want to appear rude but you really should have painted the sides of your track before laying your line! I often see this on American lines but it really stands out on your picture. Regarding your new engine, why not paint it in matt polyuathane to tone down the un-real shine? Best of luck with the engine...  

Bill, maybe Tom didn't want to paint his tracks?
I like the shiney "un-realistic" look on both my track and live steamers. I enjoy the shiney look of the new engine and then the progressive building up of grime.
Each to their own though

Most outside layouts I've seen that have been down for any lengh of time, develop a coating of some description naturally. Mine is not painted has been down for about three years and nobody has commented adversly on its appearancs. Personally I wouldn't be brave enough to apply matt varnish to a brand new expensive loco. Anyway I like the shine, loogs good and I've seen gloss finished preserved locos

The track will weather quickly. The loco won't, but actually Accucraft's paint finish isn't as shiny as some of the others. I would suggest instead of repainting or varnishing the loco, instead adding some detailing e.g. lining, nameplates/ numberplates and so on.

Tag's book "Live Steam Workshop" (Atlantic Publishers) has lots of hints and tips on how to tart up (or down, as the case may be) a shiny new locomotive, to make it both more realistic and more personal.

jacobsgrandad


Most outside layouts I've seen that have been down for any lengh of time, develop a coating of some description naturally. Mine is not painted has been down for about three years and nobody has commented adversly on its appearancs. Personally I wouldn't be brave enough to apply matt varnish to a brand new expensive loco. Anyway I like the shine, loogs good and I've seen gloss finished preserved locos

Certainly I would not recommend this. There are many things one can do to one's locomotive (and indeed railway) and all these things come with experience, learning and of course, personal preference. I nowadays mostly run coal and, like the prototype in the early days of steam when manpower was cheap, I try to keep them as clean as possible. My own labour you see is free. There is a very good reason for this of course. The combination of oil, ash and grit (and even garden detritus) makes for a very efficient grinding paste.
If i wanted a loco that looked as dirty as the ones I remember I would have it weathered (and still keep it clean). You will note that I said 'have it weathered' – I am not an expert in this arcane art and do not want to spoil what is a very expensive model. My good friend Paul Fletcher was an expert at this and he weathered my Pearse 'Countess' to 'every day' clean and it really brought out the model. It looked superb.


Later on and maybe  a couple of locos down the line, Tom may wish to repaint a locomotive to matt finish – or not – who can tell where this hobby will take us down the line a few years – meanwhile just learn and enjoy the undoubted pleasure of live steam trains in the garden. 


bestest


Tag

Tom, one word describes the video:  Awsome!
 
On the operating side, it sounds like your burner is turned up too far.  Try turning the gas valve down to the point where you can barely hear the burner.  You should still generate plenty of steam, the safety will rarely pop off and your runs should be extended substantially.
 
As a result of frost heave problems, I'm in the process of re building my layout.  After seeing your video, my inside track will be very close to yours in design.  
 
Thanks,
 
Will

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Track can weather rather nicely with out too much intervention. Locomotives tak on a nice patina with use and general maintenance.

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Thanks again everyone.  I've learnt a lot since I did this vid (and built a new railway!).

  The Caradoc will be having some cosmetic changes but not just yet - I'm too busy with other stuff