Search found 50 matches

by Smokey N Steamer
Tue Nov 26, 2019 1:44 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: pneumatic bell ringer
Replies: 10
Views: 14051

Re: pneumatic bell ringer

I'm assuming the bell, just like whistles in this hobby, would have to be made deliberately "out of scale" in order to sound convincing. An oversized "good-sounding" bell should be more than able to accommodate an internal clapper-type ringer. Is my assumption correct?
by Smokey N Steamer
Sat Mar 10, 2018 11:28 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Butterfly firebox doors
Replies: 10
Views: 7094

Re: Butterfly firebox doors

I know David Moore makes a butterfly door that even has steam/air operation, just like on a full size loco! I bet that'd save us the trouble of having to manually swing the door shut after every shovelful. All you need is a connection to your boiler or air reservoir, and a momentary pushbutton type ...
by Smokey N Steamer
Wed Dec 06, 2017 12:13 am
Forum: Build Log
Topic: My N&W class A 1239 (gauge 5", 1 in 10 scale)
Replies: 236
Views: 269371

Re: My N&W class A 1239 (gauge 5", 1 in 10 scale)

A question in regards to your grates when working with the stoker--since the stoker crushes lumps of coal to a small, uniform size when conveying it to the firebox (smaller than hand-firing), the air holes of the grates must be made narrower than in hand-firing to prevent stoker-fed lumps from falli...
by Smokey N Steamer
Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:09 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Diesel-Electric Models
Replies: 27
Views: 17785

Re: Diesel-Electric Models

For a cab unit, like an F-Unit, E-Unit or ALCO PA, their D902-E4B is just small enough to fit inside the shell. Did you look at the outline drawing for that powerplant? It's over 21 inches tall, much too large to fit a 1.5" scale loco. Well, you could cut a hole in the floor of the unit to mak...
by Smokey N Steamer
Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:06 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Diesel-Electric Models
Replies: 27
Views: 17785

Re: Diesel-Electric Models

I agree. Finding a compromise between authenticity and practicality can be tricky unless you push the right buttons. I too have dabbled with the idea of a true diesel-electric or gas-electric, and I understand that it will take a lot of engineering to get it to run right. At least I got the prime mo...
by Smokey N Steamer
Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:02 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Question: parts for a steamer
Replies: 39
Views: 21422

Re: Question: parts for a steamer

Regarding tender design and propane, I would vote for carrying the tank(s) in the first car behind the tender. The need for supplying external heat to assist in vaporization in the tank will depend on ambient temperature and how fast you are drawing propane from the tank. It has been my experience ...
by Smokey N Steamer
Wed Apr 19, 2017 11:17 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Question: parts for a steamer
Replies: 39
Views: 21422

Re: Question: parts for a steamer

Okay, sorry for my little political rant. I want to get back on topic. Even though my fantasy of building a loco is thousands of dollars and many years away, I too have been thinking of ways to make my loco easy to convert from coal to propane and back to coal again. The arrangement inside the fireb...
by Smokey N Steamer
Sat Apr 15, 2017 10:48 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Question: parts for a steamer
Replies: 39
Views: 21422

Re: Question: parts for a steamer

Part of me believes TM and Kitsap's adoption of "propane-only" policies are the consequences of the clubs being in one of the most politically correct, arch-liberal and environment/climate change conscious region of the county. A coal dealer in our state is about as common as a VCR in the ...
by Smokey N Steamer
Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:54 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Question: parts for a steamer
Replies: 39
Views: 21422

Re: Question: parts for a steamer

Our local club near Seattle also has had to adopt a propone only policy also, because of seasonal fire danger. Around Seattle the outlying suburban areas are intermingled in northwest spruce forests. Our local fire department for years now, worries about the nightmare scenario of a summer fire crow...
by Smokey N Steamer
Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:58 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Question: parts for a steamer
Replies: 39
Views: 21422

Re: Question: parts for a steamer

Our local club near Seattle also has had to adopt a propone only policy also, because of seasonal fire danger. Around Seattle the outlying suburban areas are intermingled in northwest spruce forests. Our local fire department for years now, worries about the nightmare scenario of a summer fire crow...
by Smokey N Steamer
Sat Dec 31, 2016 4:01 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Is a state boiler inspection/certification required?
Replies: 19
Views: 9372

Re: Is a state boiler inspection/certification required?

Recently I was reviewing my state's hobby boiler regulations (for non-code boilers that is), and I have a question: After reading the thread on how to weld the return bends on superheater elements, the question in regards to hobby boilers is when the regulations specify maximum heating surface (160 ...
by Smokey N Steamer
Thu Nov 10, 2016 1:30 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Swing Link Talk
Replies: 23
Views: 19931

Re: Swing Link Talk

Looking at photos of EMD's Blomberg truck, with its swing hangers angled at the bottom, is that a flawed design based on your study? http://ibls.org/mediawiki/images/4/4f/Blomberg_truck_cross_section_showing_leaf_springs_and_bolster_stop.gif I'm confused. By "angled at the bottom" are you ...