Katie and Me

[lyctus]

Hi All,
In 2008 I visited friends holidaying in Britain and staying at Doncaster, following up family connections. Knowing I would be right next door to Roundhouse Engineering I sold off some surplus LGB stuff and whilst in Doncaster, visited Roundhouse and purchased a R/C Katie kit. I began building the kit on arrival back home -Perth, Western Australia - but pressure of business caused me to halt the project after painting and assembling the chassis frame and ensuring axles revolved freely.
Well,10 years later, I am now retired , de-stressed, and keen to complete the build. I am about to order a slow motion kit whilst it can be fitted easily during chassis construction. The videos of slow motion fitted locos running is amazing.
I don't have a railway now, and moderately unlikely due to a house downsize, but possibility of a small shelf layout in my recently completed DIY loft. Need to research ventilation and fire safety issues before I consider steaming in that space. May have to content myself with electric operation and run Katie on a ball race stationary display track and maybe find a garden railway club for steaming opportunities.
look forward to learning from the Forum members .
My Forum ID 'lyctus' references my other hobby interest - making sawdust in my small home woodwork shop. My street name is Geoff (Jeff to our North American cousins ) and I am pleased to meet you all.

 

[PhilP]

Welcome to the Forum, Geoff!

Can you send over (just a little) sun and dry-weather please?

 

[dunnyrail]

Hi All,
In 2008 I visited friends holidaying in Briton and staying at Doncaster, following up family connections. Knowing I would be right next door to Roundhouse Engineering I sold off some surplus LGB stuff and whilst in Doncaster, visited Roundhouse and purchased a R/C Katie kit. I began building the kit on arrival back home -Perth, Western Australia - but pressure of business caused me to halt the project after painting and assembling the chassis frame and ensuring axles revolved freely.
Well,10 years later, I am now retired , de-stressed, and keen to complete the build. I am about to order a slow motion kit whilst it can be fitted easily during chassis construction. The videos of slow motion fitted locos running is amazing.
I don't have a railway now, and moderately unlikely due to a house downsize, but possibility of a small shelf layout in my recently completed DIY loft. Need to research ventilation and fire safety issues before I consider steaming in that space. May have to content myself with electric operation and run Katie on a ball race stationary display track and maybe find a garden railway club for steaming opportunities.
look forward to learning from the Forum members .
My Forum ID 'lyctus' references my other hobby interest - making sawdust in my small home woodwork shop. My street name is Geoff (Jeff to our North American cousins ) and I am pleased to meet you all.

There are few fire issues around a Roundhouse Loco, but it would be good practice to have good ventilation (ie a fan) and a Fire Extinguisher that has current dated rating plus a fire blanket in your Loft. A few have been using Roundhouse Locomotives in their lofts for some time with no problems. Oh a dehumidifier would also be a good idea to remove eccess dampness from the air created by the steam exhaust.

 

[PhilP]

Oh a dehumidifier would also be a good idea to remove eccess dampness from the air created by the steam exhaust.

At 2300 hours (local time) Perth was around 26 Celcius. Not sure damp will be a problem in a loft there?

 

[dunnyrail]

At 2300 hours (local time) Perth was around 26 Celcius. Not sure damp will be a problem in a loft there?

Hm you may think this but I used to run at a friends place in the summer and it was surprising how damp things got in the garage even on a warm day. Anyway any water obtained would be usable in the puffer.

 

[PhilP]

Hm you may think this but I used to run at a friends place in the summer and it was surprising how damp things got in the garage even on a warm day. Anyway any water obtained would be usable in the puffer.

True!
And I guess even 'native' Australians can find lofts a little too warm at times!

if we could do a swap, for a couple of days.. Am sure two days like today, would help with their fire problems? - Two really good drying-out days would help here, as well!

 

[idlemarvel]

Hi Geoff. Live steam in the loft hey? I guess it depends what the fuel is!
I'm having trouble linking "lyctus" with "sawdust", at first I read it as "linctus" or some kind of medicine for coughs brought on by the sawdust. Do tell.

 

[dunnyrail]

Hi Geoff. Live steam in the loft hey? I guess it depends what the fuel is!
I'm having trouble linking "lyctus" with "sawdust", at first I read it as "linctus" or some kind of medicine for coughs brought on by the sawdust. Do tell.

It is a Roundhouse kit so will be Gas Fired.

 

[PhilP]

I'm having trouble linking "lyctus" with "sawdust"

Try:

Lyctus Brunneus

 

[Paul M]

Welcome. You must have a large loft! Don't forget it's very possible to get an outside line in a small space

 

[Moonraker]

Geoff. I am just completing a Katie kit in Adelaide. My seventh steam loco. I decided to add options so that it has an RCS radio control from Casino, NSW, a chuff pipe, a Bangham whistle from Paul Bailey in the UK and a SloMo inertia device which is being delivered this week. Space is tight in Katie so fitting it all in has been a challenge. You can call me on 0414 232 060 if you need advice.

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound

 

[LGeoB]

Hi Geoff, welcome to the forum. I run a Roundhouse Lady up the hills in Kalamunda. I have an outdoor layout you an run your Katie on if you like. Are you enjoying the current heatwave

(another) Geoff

 

[lyctus]

That's a great offer Geoff. I look forward to contacting you in due course when Katie is ready for a run. Might be a little into the future, but great incentive !

 

[lyctus]

Welcome to the Forum, Geoff!

Can you send over (just a little) sun and dry-weather please?

You might regret asking that question...38c and too hot to venture out to the workshop ! Thanks for your welcome

 

[lyctus]

Geoff. I am just completing a Katie kit in Adelaide. My seventh steam loco. I decided to add options so that it has an RCS radio control from Casino, NSW, a chuff pipe, a Bangham whistle from Paul Bailey in the UK and a SloMo inertia device which is being delivered this week. Space is tight in Katie so fitting it all in has been a challenge. You can call me on 0414 232 060 if you need advice.

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound

Thanks for your offer Peter. I might take you up on that. Geoff

 

[lyctus]

It is a Roundhouse kit so will be Gas Fired.

Hi Geoff. Live steam in the loft hey? I guess it depends what the fuel is!
I'm having trouble linking "lyctus" with "sawdust", at first I read it as "linctus" or some kind of medicine for coughs brought on by the sawdust. Do tell.

Lyctus is a bit lame ! It is commonly known as a wood borer and I am also 'into' woodwork, so I used it years ago on a woodwork forum and continue to use it on forums. I am not at all sure I will run steam in the loft...I have a small collection of electric G scale trains......and the loft is not so large. There is a small parcel of outdoor garden which could work but my gardener also doubles as my wife. My 'track' record is a little tarnished due to a slightly overambitious G scale layout in my previous address. Time will tell !

 

[lyctus]

Hi Peter,
Thanks for recent info.
When you constructed the chassis of your 0-4-0 do you remember much filing of the holes in the connecting rods? I have a slightly tight spot and I have already elongated the holes some, and I wonder how much leeway one has before things go sloppy and affect the running ? Your opinion will be welcome. Thanks, Geoff

 

[dunnyrail]

Hi Peter,
Thanks for recent info.
When you constructed the chassis of your 0-4-0 do you remember much filing of the holes in the connecting rods? I have a slightly tight spot and I have already elongated the holes some, and I wonder how much leeway one has before things go sloppy and affect the running ? Your opinion will be welcome. Thanks, Geoff

Not sure that filing a tight spot too much is a good idea, general remedy is to smear Tooth Paste onto the holes with the tight spots give some running on blocks till tightness cleared the fully clean off the tooth paste and all should be well. You do not want to cause a long term problem in this area.

If you are still in doubt I suggest that you email Roundhouse for advice, normally I would suggest a phone call but that would not be practical for you in Oz.

 

[Moonraker]

Hi Peter,
Thanks for recent info.
When you constructed the chassis of your 0-4-0 do you remember much filing of the holes in the connecting rods? I have a slightly tight spot and I have already elongated the holes some, and I wonder how much leeway one has before things go sloppy and affect the running ? Your opinion will be welcome. Thanks, Geoff

Geoff,

I don't recall having a problem like that. Sorry. I don't think I would resort to filing without getting expert advice first. I suggest that you call Gordon Watson at Argyle Loco Works in Melbourne. Gordon is very experienced in Roundhouse (and other) live steam and has helped me on numerous occasions. He really knows his stuff. Argyle are Roundhouse distributors so I always go to them first when buying spare parts, kits, etc.

Alternatively you could send a short video to Roundhouse in the UK...they always answer.

Regards
Peter

 

[Moonraker]

The SloMo inertia device I ordered for my Katie arrived today. Looks very nicely made. Now I have to figure out how to install it.

After three days of 48 degree centigrade it will be nice to get out in the garden this weekend.

Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound