Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco

[vtsteam]

Looks great! 

[sbwhart]

Thanks for you're interest chaps, I'm planning on getting the bare loco running by the end of summer, ready for a winter paint job.

Stew

[gabrielsmith]

Stew
                       Lurking Tim here taking a break from Horology and enjoying your update on the Simplex.
Ran in steam for four hours last Sunday, ashpan full, smoke box  full to brim with ash and clinker, its only
taken four years to get a steam up like that, terrific!! Come and join us ,that will make Seven Simplex
in SCMES, [great] ? Tim the Clockmaker.

[sbwhart]

Hi Chaps thought it was about time I updated you on the Simplex I've been slowly making progress (around fitting in a couple of holidays).

Most of the work has been about tidying things up so that that they look less like a bodge, so her' a few pics of some of the work done.

The running board didn't clear the top of the cylinder so fitted a bracket so that the running board could be lifted up.





I also split the running board so that it would be easy to get to the valve chest for maintenance with a one piece board the side tanks would have to be removed to get to them.



This is how they now fit over the cylinders a lot better.



Full shot of the new running board fitted



Also re worked the smoke box door re-skimmed the face, with the rough arse finished it had it wouldn't have closed air tight, also made a new hinges, dart and closing handles.



Had a problem fitting the left hand side tank, the boiler fire box is a bit lop sided as a result the tank overhung the running boards on that side a fair bit, the fix required a bit of drastic surgery I had to move the side of the tank in 1/2" and fit a false side with space to accommodate the boiler.



I would lose some water storage capacity but there is more than enough available. The fix worked out OK.



You can also see the fire box cladding that I've made in the last pic along with the new spectacle plate..

He is a pic of the footplate I still need to do the pipe work.



I just have the bunker tank to make that should take a couple of days, then its a strip down to do the plumbing, then the 1 1/2 working pressure test and the steam test at the end of the month with luck.

Getting excited 

Stew

[Meldonmech]

   Hi Stew, what a job you have had with this engine, and the amount of items you have had to repair and remake. It would be more difficult than making from new.

                                                       Well done, looking forward to seeing the finished engine.

                                                                                           Good Luck    David

[chipenter]

Picked up the drawings and the book for Simplex at a boot fair Sunday for £4.00 , just in case I get the urge to build one .

[Stilldrillin]

Final components, are all coming together (almost) nicely Stew!   

Hope all goes well....... 

David D

[sbwhart]

Well after many trials and tribulations I'm finally at the position where I can give her the steam test, the boiler past the 1 1/2 times working pressure test a few weeks ago and now she's ready for the steam test this week end so keep your fingers crossed for me Chaps.

Here's a few photo of her all together I'm not too happy with the paint finish and there is a bit more work on the cosmetics required but she is ready for a bit of coal and a match.







Stew

[Deko]

Hi Stew,
             I thought you must have emigrated but I see you have been really very busy. The loco is looking
really great now,  just like it should have done when you bought it.

Cheers Dek.

[vtsteam]

It looks very fine to me, and I'm wondering if you had a chance to do the steam test? That must be exciting after all of the time and work you've put into this. 

[sbwhart]

The Gremlins are fighting this one to the bitter end.

a week ago I tried her on steam and a few problems emerged.

Prob 1 The regulator need some more packing that was soon sorted.

Prob 2 The pressure gauge failed to show any pressure despite having a darn good fire so I lifted the safety valve that weren't blowing off plenty of steam, so the fires was dropped right rapid.

There was two problems her the safety valve springs are too strong that can be easily sorted. And on inspection of the pressure gauge fitting I'd only gone and solder up the pipe      bit embarrassing but that can be easily sorted.

Prob 3 The steam turret sprang a leak, its one of the few pieces that I've not replaced, so there was nothing for it to strip it down and make a new one, then whilst I was refitting the whistle valve the darn thing when and broke off leaving the broken bit in the turret    Luckily the broken bit came out with a bit of persuasion.



The turret is crack in the area where the paint has stripped off you can't see it but the pressurised steam can find it.



New turret fitted along with a new whistle valve.

Part of the clubs track is being  re-laid so its out of action for a couple of weeks I can't wait to give it another go.

Stand by for further updates   

Stew

 

[chipenter]

Oure track shut down end of October , good job to the axle pump is striped down the injector is in the citric acid and the tender has sprung a leak , next track day is new years day so no hurry for you or I .

[vtsteam]

Man, that has been a tough case!

[sbwhart]

 


 

IT Lives------IT Lives------IT Lives--------- Coo-Coo-Coo-Coo


Finally got it through the steam test today, at the fourth attempt most of the problems were mainly due to my own ignorance, I had help from a friend in getting the design of the safety valves right aand they now work perfect.

Still a few minors to sort out but I made four laps of the track the boiler makes loads of steam and the fire seems to get going real well.

Sorry No Video I can't get to the track for a couple of weeks but next time out I'll get a video:- Honest

One well pleased Stew

[Stilldrillin]

It's a small world, Stew! Only this weekend, I was wondering if I'd missed your finale. 

Guess not! 

Congratulations on your success! With very many more happy laps to come......... 

David D

[vtsteam]

Congratulations!!!!

[Deko]

Grand job Stew,   never had any doubts that you would make a brill job. 

Cheers Dek.

[sbwhart]

Thanks for your support Guys

I'm still grinning from ear to over there 

Stew

[sbwhart]

Well finally got round to posting a video I've had a couple of good running sessions with it now, at first I had a few teething problems bit coming lose, plumbing not quite correct that I just had to deal with.

Plus I was really struggling with how to drive it, I was very nervous of it, in the end I handed it over to an experiance driver at the club and he took it out, his conclusion was not much wrong with that Stew (thanks John), this gave me the confidence to get to grips with it.

     

I've not had so much fun since my honeymoon

 

Stew

[DMIOM]

Bravo ! -                   

.......I've not had so much fun since my honeymoon.......

do we dare say 

[tom osselton]

Nice build! Should be grinning for quite a while! 

[dsquire]

Stew

Glad to see that you are having so much fun. It shure looks a treat. It was fun watching over you shoulder as you fitted all the pices to make it run. 

Cheers 

Don

[vtsteam]

I want a ride! 

[Meldonmech]

 
   Stew, seeing you steaming round the track at speed what a brilliant reward for all the work you've put in over the months.
   The numerous problems you have resolved have now provided you with a stunning engine.

                                                         Well Done
                                                                                Cheers David

[modeldozer]

Well done. 

Cheers 
Abraham