Lots of Huff but not much Puff!!

Minor1PJG · Lots of Huff but not much Puff!!

Last year I bought a SL1K from E-Bay mainly because it appeared to be in nice condition and came with some expensive extras - meths burner, in line oiler, high pressure safety valve and filler valve. Also I thought that if it needs a little work having been built as a kit would mean it would come apart easily.

I've had it running on a block and it drips water down the exhaust pipe, which Ive not worried about as I assumed that wasn't actually affecting performance. It drips a little out of the cylinders at start up but it doesn't seem to be loosing too much steam anywhere greatly. Yesterday I put it on an oval of track (8 curves each end and 2 straights either side) for the first time and it could not complete one whole circuit before running out of puff. I let the steam build again and off it went (once so fast it came off the track!!) but never more than one circuit. When I let the steam build such that the safety valve is blowing it runs at a terrific rate on the block but it struggles to carry its own weight on the track.

I have a stock standard SL1 that of course runs beautiifully non stop for at least 10 mins. It even runs quite well on solid fuel!!

What should I be looking to seal, adjust, reset on my SL1K Loco fitted with all the bells & whistles??

Thanks
Paul

Mamodman123

When they aren't running well, it's usually a leak somewhere.

Firstly, water always leaks from the exhaust, and you also get water out our cylinders like with most steam engines.

Check for any leaks around the forward/reverse block. also where the gaskets are, and where the lubricator joins the steam pipe. I've had a leak myself at that point a few times.

If the cylinders have been upgraded then it may need a lot more running in?

Going round once and stopping reminds me very much of Rosa in her early days

Pictures would help

Minor1PJG

I did wonder if it would improve through running in as it does seem to be getting a little better each firing. I don't think the previous owner used it much at all. Does the uprated safety valve make a big difference? It is running with standard cylinders.

I have noticed that on my other Loco and Tmuirs pictures that the regulator has two springs and a central washer and my SL1K only has one spring and no washer - could this be significant?

Paul

tmuir

Its possible it just needs some running in.
Firstly disconnect the cylinders and check the wheels arent binding anywhere.
If thats ok check for steam leaks as MM said.
If all that is good try running it on blocks for a couple of boilers of water and then try it all again.

Mamodman123

Minor1PJG

I planned to buy a water fill valve for my standard SL1. I think I'll add an uprated safety valve as well then. I'll try PPS for an extra spring and washer too. Looks like more running in time might be required also.

Thanks for the prompt responses!!

Paul

SPOKESMAN

That steam set up looks tight, not much space at all.

MTA

Strange, when you lads mentioned two springs, I had to look at 'Victor', and he's only got the one spring, and he runs fine

SPOKESMAN

Two springs on the steam control?

MTA

SPOKESMAN

Minor1PJG

My set up is as shown in MM's picture and it IS tight!

I did wonder if the new oiler union was pushing the regulator bolt over but it appears OK.

Chris

Mine only has one spring I think, and everything seems to run ok with no leaks.

I think mine was fairly well used and looked after by the previous owner, but even so did get better over the first few runs. But I don't know if that was my driving getting better, the loco running in more, or just all the old gunky oil being cleared out.

The upgraded safety valve does make a huge difference. It is much more refined than the mamod version. Changing that really changed how steady the loco runs. Before it would slow on corners and speed up on straights, now it stays at a fairly constant speed except for at hills. Really make the locos much more energetic and well worth the money.

Chris.

Minor1PJG

Well, I spoke to Alan at PPS to order an uprated safety valve for my other Loco and he guessed that the likely problem area would be the regulator block. He sells a very nice replacement did I know!! Yes, yes I knew. I also ordered some new wick for my meths burner to be sure that it's performing well.

The news from the Engine Shed is that I ran the Loco on blocks last night and I kept the regulator in the closed position until stream pressure had built up significantly and not a hiss nor a drip from anywhere. Then once the regulator was moved then it performed like my other Mamod engines do with a few drips from the cylinders and some steam loss around the regulator but nothing alarming.

I'm going to leave things as they are for the moment but continue with the running in and see if performance improves on the tracks this weekend. If not then I guess it may be uprated cylinders and regulator block (but as that's expensive I'm prepared to be patient!)

Paul

Mamodman123

Hmmm seems strange.....I doubt the leak is from the regulator, not if it doesn't leak there on a block run anyway.

Keep us informed

Minor1PJG

I think there is leakage around the regulator when the engine runs on the block, but not until the regulator is moved to the forward or reverse position.

It could be that it just needs to run in further as has been suggested. It certainly does seem tighter than my other Loco. My other Loco came in a set that had obviously been well used and so is certainly well run in, in fact very smooth.

I'll keep my fingers crossed and run the Loco again on the blocks tonight and try her again on the rails this weekend.

The single spring behind the regulator seems at least as tight as the double spring arrangement so I'll leave that alone.

SPOKESMAN

Certainly further running in may help!

Mamodman123

Minor1PJG

The gaskets look new, probably original. I did notice that they look less compressed than on my other Loco but all bolts are tight.

Is it better to run it at full blast rather than slow & steady for running in?

Mamodman123

Minor1PJG

OK. I'm well short of that so a good few more runs on the blocks and I'll mix up the running speeds & direction too.

Minor1PJG

Running in of the SL1K is progressing well. It really does seem to be making the biggest difference; run after run on the blocks. I didn't mamage to get her on the rails last weekend, so this weekend it is a must.

I fitted the water fill valve, meths burner and the uprated safety valve to my standard SL1 and it has transformed the engine. I can't belive the difference!! It really is very powerful now such that it only needs a little throttle to be away and running consistently and very smoothly too. I hope my SL1K will reach this level of refinement!!

Paul

Mamodman123

Mamodman123

Minor1PJG

The good news is she runs like a train!!

!!

The running in has made such a difference I can't belive it. The loco has smooth progressive power and will run constantly and consitently at a very realistic pace. I had the engine pulling the open wagon, log wagon and brake van with ease. Now this engine is a joy.

I've fitted the standard SL1 with the uprated saftety valve, fill point and meths burner and that is now a much steadier performer too.

I just need more track, a bigger garden and more free time!!

The Loco really is a very nice variation on the Mamod Steam theme!!

I'll try an upload a video to YouTube.

Thanks to everyone for the advice & help.

Paul

Mamodman123

Minor1PJG

Here's my first ever YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ULSYAK2bJc

It's not very good quality but you get the idea, my Loco is running nicely.

Here SL1K is running with the throttle only slightly open and she runs very smoothly with the gradient on the track evident. Great fun.

Chris

Sweet, it is running very well now.

I bid on a SL1K last night, but dropped out when I thought it was getting a bit much. Maybe I should have bid a bit more!

Minor1PJG

This thread is a perfect example of the Forum working wonders!!

I start off asking for help and by the end we have a video of a perfectly working engine!! And the original problem? Nothing more than an unused engine needing a little bit of TLC, patience and good old fashioned running in.

I like the 'K' because there are not so many of them around and being built from a kit means it can be dismantled easily for repairs or upgrades. NOW she's my favorite Loco!!

Mamodman123

Yup! running very well indeed!

I agree totally about the kit version. Easy to dismantle, you have fun building it for starters!

Only problem is, they are hard to get hold of! really glad to see it running well

SPOKESMAN

Nice - you have a slight slope on that floor?

Minor1PJG

Exactly. The floor was sloped to allow the rain to drain away!! Now it's a covered area it provides a slight challenge to the Loco.

The throttle was only just open for a more realistic run. I like to see an engine working up a slope.

SPOKESMAN

Must fly with the throttle/reg wide open!!

Mamodman123

Minor1PJG

I think with the throttle wide open it will leave the tracks even with all my wagons in tow!!

It is a very steady performer now. The transformation has been amazing. I'm really chuffed

Mamodman123

MTA

Nice one Paul! I've always liked the K's as they look quite attractive in black and red

Mamodman123

Graham-Jilly

Great work Paul and good to see the train running so well. This thread has been a really good one to read for a new train owner (me) with lots of good advice. Thanks everyone.

The thread needs a new title -- like -- lots of huff and puff now.

Cheers Jilly

MTA

Mamodman123

Minor1PJG

Thanks Graham & Jilly.

I just need more track, and rolling stock and space and .........

I really am enjoying the Mamod Locos. I'll try and take another video later. I'll add on my goods wagon too I think!!

Minor1PJG

Here are another couple of videos (I really should do some in the day time!!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1fC3xyxH7g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMNvtgY8xwQ&mode=user&search=

SillyBilly

You getting some great noises form it, and the track!

Graham-Jilly

great vids there

Minor1PJG

Last video for tonight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0ccslqXf6E

SPOKESMAN

Turning into a good runner!

Mamodman123

Gets better and better

Minor1PJG

All thanks to the support from the forum!!

Minor1PJG

At last a daylight run - my Green SL1, improved with meths burner & uprated safety valve:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir60vkrPVVk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP7tC9XrUJc

Chris

Great runner.

I was surprised when I fitted the upgraded safety valve and meths burner what a big difference they make.