'Warspite' finally ran as she should, and pulled passengers, at Urmston on Sunday. It's taken a while to get her steaming properley but after the manufacturer stripped and re-sealed the interior of the smoke box to eliminate some substantial air leaks the factory had missed, and fitted a 'Blackgates' injector (which picks up immediately) she steams as she should and the boiler can be kept reliably topped up to the correct water level without resorting to the hand pump.
It took a while to work out that this loco needs a BIG fire in that very long firebox if it's to steam properly. You fire it almost until you can't get any more coal in there. Quite unlike 'The Wildfowler' which runs best with a thinner fire.
It's not an easy engine to drive, needing regular attention to fire and water, but does have a lovely 3-cylinder 'bark' when you open her up for the banks on our track.
This video (by Jason Lau) shows James driving her out of the station with a bunch of us on the back, as he attacks the first bank with gusto!
Here are some pictures also by Jason Lau, Click on any picture for a larger image.
A sunny but cold day in the park
Our oak tree, and the club house, the loco prep area between
Trevor on his Polly. Trevor also has a Jubilee like mine
There are several pipes between loco and tender which need to be connected during preparation for running, comprising the water feeds to the injector and from the hand pump, and the axle pump feed and pump-bypass return
The other Malcolm, on his electric-powered Class 20 diesel loco
The Jubilee is a 3-cylinder engine so lubricating the middle cylinder little end, slide bars, big end, valve gear, and the water pump eccentric and drive during preparation means getting down to it and accessing all this from underneath, as I am here!
Keith preparing 'The Beast', James and John in conversation
A closer look at Malcolm's Class 20 in London Transport livery as 'Sir John Betjeman'. Nice job!
'Boiler' Bob on Jim's delightful Black Five
Bob on the Black Five ready to go, 'Warspite' making final preparations before coming out onto the main line
'Warspite' nearly ready to go. I'm just getting the fire and water where I want them (Malc watching the pressure gauge) before I set off for the first circuit of the track, with George on the back along for the ride.
Tony has a go with Lee's nice little 'Boxhill' on the inner track
Plenty of steam! Piling on that coal for another run.
James (the chap that started all this by selling me 'Alfred') had an extended 'play' driving 'Warspite'. Just about to leave for a circuit of the big track with five of us on board: James, Keith, Bob, me, Malc.
Disposing the Jubilee after a successful day, tender separated from loco so I can drop the fire and blow down the boiler. James, Lee, Malc, me, Keith
And it was Craig's birthday! Happy birthday matey!
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Hello Vince,
ReplyDeleteNice to see you have had your Jubilee running.
I still have Leander in LMS livery, nice model, like you have changed the injector for British make.
I have so far managed a good few laps at Wigan & DMES track at Haigh Hall, I do plan to keep the locomotive. My problems appear to be timing, the beat is not right and I have a leak from the centre cylinder. Otherwise, think I am getting the better of firing and driving albeit slowly.
Any comments greatly appreciated.
Phil Hornby
Hi Phil
ReplyDeleteThe after sales service from Kingscale is excellent. If you have any problems with your loco under warranty, they will collect it, put it right, and return it to you. They did with mine.