has anyone replaced the smaller cylinders with the new larger cylinders
I did do it and am happy to have done it.
My Ruby which was modified as a Maine Forney was loosing its power. I wanted to be able to pull longer trains. I purchased a New Ruby (#5?) Porter which had the large cylinders. It ran very well and would pull a longer train than my Forney, I studied the two and decided that I could switch the cylinders and running gear between them.
I actually took apart both engines to the point where I could remove the wheels and cylinders. and then built them back up. In the process I fixed the issue with the old mechanism so that the porter now runs beautifully. (the connection between the valve rocker and the valve stem was badly worn.)
The forney also runs well though it took me quite a bit of fiddling to get it working properly. there was some tightness I had to work out then I had to re-adjust the valves.
It now runs very well. I have run it on a freind's layout with steep grades (5% or so) pulling a light train right up with no problems. I can also pull 9 or 10 freight cars plus the caboose around my line which is nearly flat. Granted my wooden cars are much lighter than similar plastic cars.
It would have been an easier project purchasing new large cylinders than switching from another loco and I would reccomend doing that. It is a project similar to building a Ruby Kit and should be tackled only if you are willing to tinker a bit. Unless you have personalized your engine as I did, you might be better just starting with a new engine.
Winnegance and Quebec Railway
Eric Schade Gen'l Manager
captain perry It is a project similar to building a Ruby Kit and should be tackled only if you are willing to tinker a bit.
It is a project similar to building a Ruby Kit and should be tackled only if you are willing to tinker a bit.
Are you talking about fitting the replacement cylinders, or the project you did?
Also, is the locomotive in your picture the Forney you're talking about?
the forney in my little photo is indeed the forney in question. it is featured in the "January Thaw" user Video and others.
I had concidered purchasing the replacement cylinders but they were not available at the time...thus I did the transfer of the old small cylinders from my old kit built Ruby now forney and tne new ruby "Porter"
--Eric
here is a photo of my modified Rubys. #1 started life as a kit. (see june 2006 GR) I have continued modifiying it over the years. Last summer, I switched the large cylinders from a Ruby #5 "Porter" to my #1.
In the background is my son's #10 which we worked together on last winter. We started with a red Ruby #2 and severely 'bashed it!
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