Topic: Ongoing saga of a 7 1/4" Romulus 0-4-0 Steam Engine

[russ]

GIven that we are in the depths of winter here in Ontario, Canada, there is nothing further to report on work on the Romulus but I hope to start getting at what needs to be done "real soon now" to get  it into great shape for the start of our operating season in May.

Russ   

[Arminius]

I can vouch for the steam and antique machinery attractions at the Milton Steam Era show, which I try to visit at least every second year.

Also the Flea Market has, on occasion, offered excellent opportunities to increase the workshop's capabilities.

Russ:  Will you have a portable track at this show?

Arminius

[russ]

Today was one of our public run days at the club.  The Romulus ran beautifully.  Did a lot fo tightening of things and significantly deuced visible steam leaks in all sorts of places.

Our next operating day will be for four full days at the finest steam fair in this area - the Steam Era show over the Labour Day weekend in Milton, Ontario which is about an hour out of Toronto.  So we wanted to be really ready.

The most thrilling attraction that weekend is not our miniature stuff but rather the dozen to two dozen full size steam tractors that turn out for this event.  They are awesome!

For more information on the event, visit http://www.steam-era.com/ for a taste of what happens.

There are also lots of other great collections on display of cars, construction equipment, stationary engines, etc.

[tomc]

Russ,
Glad you could dry it up.  This is something we all will face that have boilers to contend with.

Tom C.

[russ]

Again, to complete the record, I have copied an earlier post from July 23rd to this thread as follows:

"Last Sunday, the Romulus run beautifully after a number of repairs to her.

Rather than using Loctite, we used "sodium silicate" (also called "water glass") at the advice of  friend with long experience with boilers professionally.  A half cup of this liquid was added to the the boiler water directly into the boiler.  The boiler was then brought up to about 60 psi and left to simmer for a couple of hours.  Then we blew down the boiler to eliminate all remaining water with sodium silicate in it. The water leaking around the leak areas slowly seals the leaks.  We successfully sealed all of the small leaks except one.    Of course, it is important not to use the blower, throttle, safety vales, etc during this process as they too could seal up.

On Sunday, we added about two tablespoons of powdered ginger to the boiler before firing her up and ran all day.  The remaining leak has apparently also disappeared. 

We will now do a hydrostatic test of the boiler to 150% (150 psi) of its working pressure to make sure that the boiler is sound."

Russ

[russ]

In order to have this thread be a complete record of the sga of the Romulus, I have mo9ved this earlier post from July 10th to this thread:

"These live steam locomotives certainly do need maintenance!  My Romulus has sprung leaks in several tubes.  They were originally expanded to seal them into the tube sheets.  However it is 23 years old and such maintenance challenges must be expected. 

The previous owner has advised me to upend the locomotive so the tube sheet is level and then to apply a light vacuum to the boiler and the apply "high heat wicking loctite" to the offending tube ends.  Apparently this can work well to seal the tube ends again.  This is worth a try and apprently can provide another year or two of service.

Meanwhile I have acquired a partly finished boiler with a very similar size and shape which I think I will will work on this coming winter as a replacement boiler.  This is an ideal engine to own and operate as it provides a comfortable perch for the driver. In past trials, it walked away smartly with a three ton load once yet is not overly heavy being a model of a two foot prototype.

It deserves a new boiler!"

Russ

[russ]

As the former owner and I were visiting his father's home, he noticed a picture of his Romulus from a number of years ago.  On the front of the cab he spotted a steam operated water pump and remembered that he had removed it from the engine when he acquired it as it was not working and he felt that the aircraft grade double-acting hand pump that he had installed on buying the engine  was sufficient backup for the injector system.  There is no axle pump on the Romulus.

He also remembered exactly where the pump was so on our return to his home, I promptly took possession of it as I liked the idea of having a thumping steam driven water pump on the engine as well.  The water pump is now being taken apart to be restored to operating condition.

Pictures of the pump can be found below.

Russ

[russ]

I thought I would start a thread here that records ongoing progress with maintaining and enhancing my Romulus 0-4-0.  This will provide those considering building and operating such an engine an idea of what is involved.

This is a wonderful engine as it is a manageable size yet very large scale being a model of a 2 foot gauge prototype.  It is built to a 3.5" to the foot scale.  It is comfortable to operate sitting on the tender with my feet in the cab.. The controls are nice and large.  The Hackworth valve gear is quite simple and easy to maintain.  I understand that casting sets and plans are still available from sources in England.

In the pictures below (click on each of them for a close up view), note the size of the whistle.  This is a whistle for a full size 1:1 steam tractor.  Driven at 85 psi, it produces a formidable sound that really attracts attention.   The Mini Cooper S is my second favourite vehicle in my collection.

I will be adding tidbits about this engine as this message thread unfolds.

Russ