Search found 973 matches

by bcody
Sun Feb 09, 2014 5:36 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Mechanical vs. Displacement/hydrostatic lubricators
Replies: 12
Views: 9144

Re: Mechanical vs. Displacement/hydrostatic lubricators

I run a Bill Conner designed/built 4+4 Beam Engine which has a mechanical lubricator consisting of two cylinders (with pistons) mounted side by side and interconnected with a beam pivoted 1/4" off center to give the steam cylinder a mechanical advantage. Piping - Oil cylinder is piped to a fitt...
by bcody
Wed Feb 05, 2014 2:27 am
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Air Brake Question
Replies: 90
Views: 33590

Re: Air Brake Question

I run pneumatic brakes with a proportional control valve, the more I pull the brake lever the more pressure I apply to the brake cylinders and the more brake is applied.

I do not like nor will I use a bang-bang system, one where the brakes are off or full on.


Bill
by bcody
Sat Dec 28, 2013 6:25 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: 0-4-0 sizes
Replies: 15
Views: 6930

Re: 0-4-0 sizes

I carry a 7.5" gauge INVICTA loco, tender and two riding cars around in my Prius and still have room for myself behind the wheel and a passenger in the right seat.


Bill
by bcody
Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:37 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Jensen live steam engine
Replies: 5
Views: 3176

Re: Jensen live steam engine

You can get drive springs like they use on home movie projectors, they work well.

The drive spring is about 1/8" in diameter and can be taken apart by unscrewing the connector.


Bill
by bcody
Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:35 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: A little tractor pull 850 hp vs 18 hp
Replies: 12
Views: 5665

Re: A little tractor pull 850 hp vs 18 hp

I may be out in left field but I remember hearing that you always attach the tow bar to the towing vehicle at a point that is below the center line of the driving wheels. This will insure the front wheels of the towing vehicle remain on the ground when power is applied. You must also insure the end ...
by bcody
Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:34 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Sight glass questions
Replies: 19
Views: 8373

Re: Sight glass questions

Forgot to mention you need to add check valves in the air supply line to protect your air hose from steam pressure/temperature.


Bill
by bcody
Thu Nov 14, 2013 2:29 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Sight glass questions
Replies: 19
Views: 8373

Re: Sight glass questions

In looking at the set-up for starting air I can only add one thing. Use a pressure regulator set at say 30 PSI and the boiler will transition from compressed air to steam if you crack the steam blower valve prior to firing the boiler. For you guys that oil fire you can use the same air source for yo...
by bcody
Sun Oct 20, 2013 2:48 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Is the Clishay a successful loco?
Replies: 27
Views: 25185

Re: Is the Clishay a successful loco?

If you don't want to eliminate the transmission you could change the way the Johnson bar is connected. As designed the link from the transmission to the Johnson bar is in compression in FORWARD and as a result the additional force generated on deceleration can easily bend the link resulting in the g...
by bcody
Sun Oct 20, 2013 1:44 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Is the Clishay a successful loco?
Replies: 27
Views: 25185

Re: Is the Clishay a successful loco?

I would add Stevenson valve gear to that list. Eliminate the "transmission", they have a tendency to jump in and out of gear on deceleration, sounds like a machine gun.


Bill
by bcody
Sun Oct 06, 2013 2:58 am
Forum: Live Steam Marketplace
Topic: new to live steam
Replies: 20
Views: 9352

Re: new to live steam

Careful Matt! You keep ranting like that and you could blow a gasket. As regards moving things around the shop - they have rolling work stands to take care of that. As you age you realize it is better to use your brain and not your back, that is why wheels were invented. I'm 82 and I don't have any ...
by bcody
Sat Oct 05, 2013 11:35 am
Forum: Live Steam Marketplace
Topic: new to live steam
Replies: 20
Views: 9352

Re: new to live steam

Beginner: Please be careful and not let yourself be tempted to build anything other than 7.5" gauge equipment. Living in San Berdoo like you do the closest track is in Riverside and they realized that out here in the West the smaller gauges are dying out except for LA, San Francisco and very li...
by bcody
Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:54 pm
Forum: Live Steam Marketplace
Topic: new to live steam
Replies: 20
Views: 9352

Re: new to live steam

Hey - Don't give up just because there are problems with your toy. The problems are what make it fun. If they operated exactly like you want all the time, no problems what so ever you would lose interest and find something else. The key factor here is that you are the only one concerned with its ope...