plumbing for a steam donkey

[banjobenne1]

I have a HO scale kit for a small steam donkey. There are no parts nor instrucitions for the pumbing: turret, check valve, injector, etc. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Tell me more about the donkey. There are a number of articles and even an Armstrong set of plans. They were rarely "configuration controlled" so you can do a lot of creative construction.

[banjobenne1]

Hello, it is a small vetical boiler mounted on skids with two winches. The only detail is moulded on the side of the boiler is a steam gage, water glass and firebox door. I realize configuration control was not in effect back then, however I don't think it a good idea to put the check valve next to the steam turret. Should I use a nonlifting injector? I think not because it is too low, would be ripped off by brush and branches. What about the pop valve etc.? Ben

[SOTATRR]

Ben,
In the Jan/Feb and Mar/Apr 2003 issues of Narrow Guage and Short Line Gazette, there is some information about steam donkey engines. Also, Precision Scale's Plan Book no 9 is all about donkey engines.

Good Railroading

Mike

[banjobenne1]

Hello Mike, and thank you for your reply. I am building a large freelanced railroad contruction train in HO scale as it might have looked in the 1940s 1950s. This train will be operated by a contractor (again HO scale). It is designed to be self sufficient esp. stay out on the job untill it is done. I sense a need by my HO workers for at least some onsite electrical power about 4000 to 5000 watts. So now I am looking for a steam donkey/engine/dynamo combo. Any ideas? Ben

[dknelson]

This weekend at the Galesburg train show I saw a very interesting and large book titled "In Search of Steam Donkeys." If you have an interesting in this critters this book looks like it is worth searching out.
Dave Nelson

[SOTATRR]

Ben,
I have not seen anything like what you are looking for. My one thought is by this time frane diesel generators where preaty reliable. I am not sure the steam donkey would have been used.

Let me know what you come up with.

Mike