Forney-ish Ruby or Ruby-ish Forney?

[K_Franklin]

Well this is my first attempt at kitbashing something. I went to steam-up last year with my dad and I got hooked. I saw the little Rubys running about I fell in love (Better yet I could afford it with the money I get after school, gotta love Accucraft!). Well I really loved they way they ran and the basic feel, but I HATED the cab, so why not make a Forney? Well here's my results, it took me several months with the planning (5 APs senior year and marching band leaves little time), but i finally got it put all together. It's made out of balsa and basswood, detail parts are Ozark minis (I must say, now that they have their website they have gotten so much faster rather then the old snail mail order forms and faxes!), although i think the headlight and cowcatcher are from Hartford. The roof is simply Coke cans run through the old crimper trick. The load in the rear is little split bits of wood from a tree branch, no clue what type, whatever i found! Well this is my first real kitbashing work in anything but plastic or metal.

[underworld]

Nice work!!!

underworld

[K_Franklin]

Thanks! Does anybody know what i could paint the cylinders with? I'm worried about the heat in combination with oil and water.

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

There are paints set forextreme heat. The eazist would be to gead to your local hardware/auto parts store and pick up some paint labeled "for use on engines" I it can stand a car fire itchould withstand that not a problem. 

[K_Franklin]

but are they can you get them in gloss to match the boiler?

[kstrong]

Thanks! Does anybody know what i could paint the cylinders with? I'm worried about the heat in combination with oil and water.

Regular Krylon will work just fine. I've been using it on live steam locos for years without any troubles. Clean the cylinders first with muratic acid, rinse with water, dry with a paper towel, then hit with regular Krylon primer first. Then paint with whichever finish of black paint you prefer--flat, satin, or gloss. I prefer satin.



The cylinders are Krylon semi-flat black, the smokebox and smokestack are Krylon flat black.



Again, Krylon semi-flat black on the cylinders. The smokebox was painted with the same, but then rubbed with graphite powder. (Lock lubricant)

I've never had need for the high-temp paint. I used it on some early steamers, but found the cheaper Krylon works every bit as well.

Later,

K

[K_Franklin]

thanks and my god thouse locos are amazing! BTW i was reading on your website,

"The original safety popped off at around 20 PSI, which made for a weak running locomotive when trying to pull a train up a grade. I followed the advice of fellow steamer John Thomson, and stretched the spring out to 3/4". This raised the boiler pressure to around 40 PSI, which gives the locomotive a good bit more life." in reference to the Alison locomotive

What did you mean stretch the spring out to 3/4", do you mean like taking the spring and with say like two pliers strech it out to 3/4" of an inch? Is it really that simple?!?!

[kstrong]

Is it really that simple?!?!

Yes.

Well, maybe not, because Accucraft may have updated their safety valve. I know they've made a few changes as time progressed, and I can't remember if the safety valve was one of them. Offhand, I'd say if your loco is a strong runner, then you've likely got nothing to worry about. If it's a bit lethargic, it may be worth considering. I modified both my Ruby safety valves as such, and both became much better runners.

BTW, thanks for the compliment. Do you have a larger photo of yours? I see it as a small thumbnail only.


Later,

K

[K_Franklin]

Sorry about the size of the image.