Newbie and his Steam Tram

Lee Mann

LMS - Lee Mann’s Sausage
Hello everybody.
Brand new to the forum and as of very recently a brand new member to the wonderful world of live steaming.

I’m afraid I have a question to all you experienced operators on this site.

I recently purchased my life long dream model of an RC accucraft GVT steam tram and although I have read the instructions I still have no real clue how to steam it up properly.

I would be grateful if anybody could walk me through what the different levers and controls are and how to correctly steam it up.

Thanks again
Mr Mann
 
Can't help on the tram, I'm afraid, as I've only just dipped a toe into the dark arts of live steam myself..... but just wanted to say welcome to the forum!

I'm sure a number of our resident Steamy Boys will be along shortly to give you some sensible answers.

Jon.
 
Can't help on the tram, I'm afraid, as I've only just dipped a toe into the dark arts of live steam myself..... but just wanted to say welcome to the forum!

I'm sure a number of our resident Steamy Boys will be along shortly to give you some sensible answers.

Jon.
Never mind Jon I’m equally as thankful for the warm welcome
 
Whilst I am not familiar with that particular Locomotive the following should be a help to get you started. I am assuming this to be a Gas Fired Locomotive.

First remember this routine acronym as it is the safest way to get your Locomotive ready WOG.

1 WATER Fill Boiler with water, best to use Water from a de-humidifier if you can as Tap Water can introduce limescale. Rain Water if filtered can be ok but must be very well filtered perhaps through a dedicated Water Filter. So called Ionised water can also be a problem as it is these days produced in a way that is not ideal for miniature pipework.

2 OIL Steam Oil in the receptacle, this lubricates the cylinders. Loco instructions should show where this is. You need a special thick Steam oil and if you have not had any supplied with the loco to start you off then these people can help.

https://www.dreamsteam.co.uk/steam-oil-accessories.html

3 GAS you may need an adapter to fill your locomotive with Gas, use Butane I get mine from Halfords. You can use Butane / Propane Mix but only outside in the Winter as Propane has a higher preasure than Butane when hot and in Summer that is not good.

4 Now that you have attended to the inner requirements of the locomotive an oil round the moving parts is in order, for this a small container of Car Engine Oil is appropriate, though you could use something like 3 in 1 but I prefer the slightly thicker mess of the car engine oil.

5 Turn on Gas and put a Match or Small Gas lighter where it says in the instructions to light up (generally over the top of the Chimney). Usually this will be followed by a Pop as the excess leaked gas ignites. First time can be a little scary but the pop is quite normal. Gas should be heard to roar a little, though if the burner is a ceramic one it wil not. Either way you should be able to feel heat from the Chimney to show the fire is alight. If the burner is roaring it can be adjusted some to reduce the roar.

6 Once you have achieved a blow off at probably 40psi then you can start up the engine. Be prepared to catch the beast if it storms off, control can be in cases a little hit and miss but experience will show you the way.

Good luck and have fun with your little dragon. Send us some pics when you have mastered the little beast enough to manage a Photo as well as running.
 
I agree with JonD and would add that it would be benificial to fire it up on blocks before you put it on rails this will allow you to get the measure of it, also I suggest you join the Assoc 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers

www.16mm.org.uk

Then you will find like minded people in your area and will help you with hands on help.

Shaun
 
An immense thank you for the info guys.
I purchased traditional steam cylinder oil and butane gas with it and already have lubricating oil lying around the house, however, my biggest issue I’m stuck with at the moment is what the following two levers represent.
Many thanks again

Mr Mann
 

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Even with my very limited experience, I think I can answer that now I've seen the photos.... the grey metal lever in the frame on the left is the reverser handle (three positions, forward-neutral-reverse), while the lower of the two red painted handles is the gas valve (with the pipe running to the burner in the back of the firebox) - which means that the upper red handle must, by default, be the steam regulator (throttle)..... :)

Jon.

PS: the upright cylinder with the screw top, next to the reverser lever, is the displacement lubricator where you put the steam oil.
 
An immense thankyou to the both of you.
I know the Warley MRC is down the road and I assure you I now plan to become a member with the 16mm. I can see now it would probably be for the wiser to join one or the other before steaming up for the first time. Thank you again for the help though guys!
 
I would enthusiastically second the idea of joining the 16mm NGA as soon as possible - for a quite ludicrously low annual membership you get eight professionally-produced magazines per year (two at a time, quarterly), various insurance benefits and (most importantly) access to a massive amount of help and experience.....

Jon.

Ooops, i was still typing this when you made your last post, so mine is now largely unnecessary!
 
Then I shall whole heartedly enquire with Mr S Clause and Mrs Of Course about joining.

Again a big thankyou you guys have made me feel quite welcome to the forum

:D
 
Welcome Lee.

I think you may find a large-scale person at the Warley club, but may be better enquiring at the Paddocks railway at the SVR??? - You will certainly find the knowledge there.
PhilP.
 
My goodness cheers for the heads up PhilP had no idea that place existed.
I shall without doubt make a trip down there thanks very much
 
Welcome to the forum Lee. You have already had some very sound advice, if you ever get over to the Great Central Railway you will be more than welcome to run your locomotive on the CFR at Rothley Station.
 
A very kind offer Casey Jones. With a bit of experience and the purchase of a locobox in the new year and may very well endeavour to travel and take you up on that offer.
 
Welcome aboard Lee.
 
Even with my very limited experience, I think I can answer that now I've seen the photos.... the grey metal lever in the frame on the left is the reverser handle (three positions, forward-neutral-reverse), while the lower of the two red painted handles is the gas valve (with the pipe running to the burner in the back of the firebox) - which means that the upper red handle must, by default, be the steam regulator (throttle)..... :)

Jon.

PS: the upright cylinder with the screw top, next to the reverser lever, is the displacement lubricator where you put the steam oil.
Right, I'm with Jon here.

So....................

You generally may only need the gas tap open a quarter turn.

The regulator has the clue in the question, and the amount that you open that will be directly proportional to the blink of an eye in which it disappears across the horizon.

I have an Accucraft (US) live steam Shay, the advantage of this, being geared, is that flat out it only manages a crawl, so I don't have to worry about regulator settings :shake::shake:
 
Welcome to the bizarre world of big model trains! I would fully endorse the others in saying try a join a local 16mm group, also be prepared for some frustration with your loco at first, it takes time to run in so the first steam sessions seem a bit short and you have to learn about your engine. They are like badly behaved children and do the unexpected and unexplained.
 
Again thankyou guys your comments and help mean A lot although Tac’s comments on eyebrows leaves me worried about the beard!
 
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