Maiden run of my Bing for Bassett Lowke GWR TItley Court.

[emdmike]

To many tinplate is gauge 0, but there was a time when gauge one dominated the tinplate scene in the UK/Europe, just as Std gauge did here thanks to the Lionel effect.  SO what we have here is a bridge between the tinplate world and the garden railway world.  Tinplate live steam running on my new raised railway in my back yard.  The best part, I was steaming in my pajamas after a long day at work.  I got cleaned up, then the bug hit to try out the new loop that I finally completed last night after work.  I ran out of energy to do any running last night.  Model is internally alcohol fired.  Originaly imported in 1924 as a pot boiler, it was a poor seller.  But a modeler, Victor Harrison, had BL convert one to internal firing.  It was so successfull, they converted the remaining unsold models and offered the conversion service on other gauge one live steamers.  Enjoy!    Mike the Aspie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3OuacVfqqU

[Postwar Paul]

Mike,

it's cool !

 I'm sure it's a great feeling to get things running, And especially your new engine ! 

Congrats !

Paul

[emdmike]

Its hard to believe that thing is almost 100 years old.   Here soon, I will have my O guage tinplate live steamer.  It needs refubished paint wise, but I am ready to have a go at it.  As others elsewhere have noted, this model is very close to the Hall class that the Harry Potter locomotive really is(Olton Hall to be exact).  The Hall class was derived from the original Saint/Court class ten wheelers on the GWR.   I may have to get some marron BR MK1 coaches for a impromtu Hogwarts Express, abliet with a proper green GWR locomotive!  

[Flintlock76]

Mike, that is SO cool!  You're right, it's hard to believe it's almost 100 years old, it runs like a champ!  They sure built 'em good back then!

And you did a pretty good job keeping up with it too.

I see your dogs could care less about it though.  Of course.  It's not food!

[Penny Trains]

There aren't enough O's in smoooooooth to describe that loco! 

[emdmike]

Using my carpenter's level, I got things within an 1/8th bubble of being level.  That should help quite a bit, the far end was nearly 2.5 inches lower than the other end.  It was nearly dark by the time I was done fiddling with it.  Will try some steaming tomorrow if the storms stay away.     Mike the Aspie

[wrmcclellan]

Very nice, very cool!

[Kens std gauge]

Mike, that is a fantastic British locomotive!  If you ever have it apart for servicing, please make another video... i'd like to see what makes it tick. 

[emdmike]

The locomotive side works flawlessly.  The tender side is getting some needed upgrades.  The tender hand pump would not put water in the boiler under pressure.  Whatever was used for the packing around the pump ram, had perished.  The ram has 4 very shallow rings that probably had graphite yarn or something in it.  Going to have a friend remachine it for an O ring.  Then it will seal up properly and I will be able to put water into the boiler while in steam.  She ran flawlessly on several single fill runs at a steam up last weekend.  Mike the Aspie

[Postwar Paul]

Fantastic!!

 

I hope to be joining you in Live Steam one day....

[Flintlock76]

I'm going to guess and say those four shallow rings in the pump ram may have had natural rubber rings or rings of greased leather.  Needless to say if the engine's at the 100 year old mark they'd have disintegrated a long time ago. 

There's certainly no harm in machining it for a modern O-ring, at any rate.

[emdmike]

I had thought about trying to put a thin wrap of teflon tape that is rolled into a thread in a couple of the grooves to see if that works.  But having a friend remachine for an O ring is the best fix for the failed pump.