I am not familliar with that part...being a Ruby guy. However, I do have another (Aster Climax) engine that has the smoke box as a seperate part from the boiler. On this engine, the smokebox is affixed quite solidly to the cylinder saddle with a sliding joint between the smokebox and the boiler.
Check to see if any screws are missing between the smokebox and the saddle. If you replace these, you might solve the problem.
If that doesn't work or is not the problem, you might a look at putting a screw through the boiler jacket into the rear end of the smoke box.
Winnegance and Quebec Railway
Eric Schade Gen'l Manager
Actually it's not the smokebox door, rather the entire 'front end', the hindged door is fine, the entire piece (incl door) appears to have been 'press fit' into place. The 'boiler jacket' if you will has lost it's grip !
I have done some work re-constructing Accucraft Rubys. I guess they use the same basic system for holding the smokebox door on...two round lugs silsver soldered to the smokebox shell. If one of these gets broken, it is tough to replace them. You would need to drill a hole into the shell and thread a replacement lug into it.
I would make the lug on a lathe or just file it out of brass to match the missing one. I would make it with a pin sticking out that I could thread with a threading die...say with a 1-72 or 0-90 thread. drill and thread the smokebox to match.
If the hing came off the smokebox cover, You may be able to "bolt" it back on with micro size screws again say 1-72 or 0-90 thread.
the bolts will take the heat but may need an additional lock nut to keep them from coming loose.
all the necessary tools, screws and nuts are available from MicroMark
I'm interested in finding a solution, too. I have a Mimi 0-4-0 that has a hinged smoke box front that won't stay closed during operation. I've been looking for some type of latch mechanism that can be added.
Contacting Accucraft would probably be fruitless because their live steam loco's have very limited warranty coverage.
Hi I wpould surjest you contact Accucraft for info before carring out any work, You may try one or two things and do more damage than you think Please get advice
Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life
what options are available for 're-attaching' the front smokebox cover on an Accucraft C-16...LIVE STEAM ?
Is there a ultra high temp epoxy or solder available ??
The apparent tension that held it in place has given up the ghost !
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