2-8-0 Consolidation Build

[H&NERY]

So I just recently purchased a pair of 7 1/2” gauge Consolidation locomotives. From the research I have done these were started as a group build by the West Valley Live Steamers. I just started unpacking the stuff tonight and going through it. This looks like this will be a fun project, I hope it don’t take me away from my 3/4” scale stuff but I am liking this 1 1/2” scale though. Here are some pictures as I start unpacking. I am a little disorganized right now as I am waiting for my carpenter to get my addition built onto my shop. This area will be just for my steam locomotive work and office area.

[Bill Shields]

Who's castings / design?

Shame it's the wrong gauge...

This from a guy in 7.25 land

[Odyknuck]

Ah Glad to see your Locos came in. Looks like a fun project x 2.

[Dick_Morris]

I'm pretty sure this design has been discussed here before, possibly more than once. Search for West Valley Live Steamers and you should find something. Although it was a group project, my recollection is the design was by one person, but I don't remember his name at the moment.

[Dick_Morris]

John Grant was the designer. I exchanged several emails with him and he posted occasionally in the now defunct Live Steamers email group around 2010.

[H&NERY]

So as I sort through this project and get ready to assemble these things, I have some questions. I need to find a lubricator for the cylinders. There is piping on the underside of the frame. The small piping goes to what is some sort of a manifold, the piping also goes to both the front and back of the cylinders out of this manifold. I assume those are lubrication lines and the center port is where I would hook the mechanical lubricator. There also seems to be some sort of an adjustment valve on that manifold. Has anyone ever seen anything like this and how should I proceed as far as a lubricator should go.

[Bill Shields]

That is very odd

Usually cylinder oil is introduced into the steam mainstream.

Maybe a hydrostatic lash up?

[Dick_Morris]

Cylinder cocks?

[Bill Shields]

What do the mating cylinders look like?

[H&NERY]

Yes they are the cylinder cocks, I learned that last night.

[Bill Shields]

[NP317]

Looks like carefully done piping.
'Bodes well for the rest of the locomotive project.
RussN