Member postings for Ompa Ompa

Everyone with a desire for a peaceful Open Day are welcomed on the 9th August at the home of the Staines Society. Usually a very quiet day with ample chances to run on our simple 1000 foot raised track 5"..3½"..2½" gauges are welcomed. Normal catering will be provided on a 'need to eat' basis, all you need to do is bring along a locomotive, (any type) a driving car, a smile and possibly a helper. Prior knowledge of driving car requirements would be a bonus but not a problem. Parking (limited) is but a shovel of coal throw from the track. Usual paperwork is required of course. Contact via the club web site at www.ssme.org.uk thanks

I am always amazed when several mod's come up for discussion. I built my 'Pansy' over 30 years ago, using the set of drawings supplied at that time (LBSC's I believe). This was my very first locomotive and obviously I took care to follow the dimensions to the letter. Amazingly the thing worked from day one and never has let me down regarding any valve event problems. Now of course fair wear and tear are taking their own toll on events, but more importantly the locomotive still runs and will still pull a good number of passengers, in fact it sounds more like the real thing with all the clanking etc it makes when working.

So it does come down to personal choice and type of passenger (size) in operation. What we have found also is the material the track is made of affects performance. Ours is aluminium and given any damp or oily surface conditions the brakes may come on (if fitted and used) and often the entire train just skids along until enough friction is generated between all wheels and rail, so no use in a dire emergency!

Edited By Ompa Ompa on 24/03/2014 10:42:38

Please, and I really do mean it, think very hard before setting out on the provision of vacuum brakes on your passenger cars. At my own club many years ago a 'jobsworth' on the committee decided that these brakes would be beneficial. How wrong he has turned out to be. Following months of retro-fitting a system more months of trouble shooting and correction took place. We run a simple 5 inch gauge system, normally only hauling one car with up to six or in the case of small children eight at a time. Over the years they have been fitted they have never really had to prove themselves. Also over the years they have been fitted they have given more trouble than they are worth. Recently we have had numerous arguments and debates about them and nobody can really come up with a full proof method. As a consequence on many occasions they are disabled and drivers drive using their own judgements and 'skills' in controlling their own trains. I know several cluibs have fitted them and make them work, but are they really needed? If a driver uses his 'skills' in driving then there is no need, especially on many club type tracks. If a driver is always driving too fast and up against the rear of the train then vacumm brakes will do nothing, but a reprimand and eventual barring of that driver will. One supporter says they are useful in the case of a 'breakaway', opinions are divided on this, saying that if correct couplings are used between locomotive/tender/driving car/ and passenger cars then this does not normally happen. Sorry to be so vociferous but after so many years suffering at the hands of 'jobsworths' I really think they are a waste of time in anything up to and including 5 inch gauge operations. Stan B.

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, just posting a reply after contact with Jason. Thanks.

Thanks everyone, I thought somebody somewhere was having a dig at my postings. When I logged back on I could not see anything unless I went to the section under Live Steam Locomotives. The posting under General Questions was a complete blank. very mysterious to say the very least.

Thanks jasonB, strange that I posted a reply but it has not appeared (maybe deleted in fact)

I am sure there was a thread started yesterday or day before centered around ball valves and their suitability as locomotive regulator controls. Since it has now disappeared, I wondered what has happened to it? Could have caused a good debate, or has there already been such a subject.

Edited By Ompa Ompa on 31/01/2014 16:02:54

Sorry John, wrong to make a statement that these valves are not appropriate in this application. Many people use them , myself for one. Control is as fine or coarse as you want to make it. I have used said type of valve in my 5" Brit 'Lookalike' for the last two or so seasons without any issues with control. Wrong to state they are either fully open or fully closed, when operating them the control is almost as good as a needle valve (IMHO) What is needed is a valve capable of withstanding high temperatures and relatively high pressures. Most suppliers will advise on the correct/suitable type to purchase. Plus of course a system of steady control and a steady hand is needed.

Sorry, I missed seeing it in the early morning sunlight here on the Island of Greece, apologies to all concerned

So, how is it that the comment from John Shepherd, which references prisons and matchstick models remains for all to see where the comment I made, again regarding prison life and the use of matchstich modelling for therapy seems to have been censored!! Is it a case of 'the cap not fitting'?

You could always get in touch with any of the HMP Prisons around the UK. From recoillections of a relative of mine they do produce some well detailed models using matchsticks. After all they are not always allowed to use metal due to the risk factor.

I just switch my welding plant on and use it without any thought other than a good strike and weld.

Just noticed there is this that you can view to get a broader picture of what is behind this reasoning (?) however impracticable it may seem to many of us.

12/2/2013 Information sheet 'Safe Operation of Pressure Systems for the Model Engineer' added, see 'Information Sheets' Menu

This sheet appears on this website www.sfmes.co.uk

I did question this during the consultation process, the reply I was given was that at the time of re-writing these codes the decision was taken to get the whole thing up to a standard that incorporated more of the PSSR 2000 regulations/guidance. The experts (x1) reckoned that the superheaters were to be included as they form part of the pressure system. They quickly found a reasonable/large number of club members throughout the hobby were set against this due to the comments listed above, so the term 'If practical' was included as a way forward. Surely it could have been worse, when it may have been considered that the entire pipework from the regulator, through the superheaters and continuing down to the steam chests and cylinder sets are, in theory and maybe in practice, part of this same 'pressue system'.

My own comment is, for what it is worth, let common sense prevail while it can, surely non of us are such idiots when it comes to the safety of others and particulalry ourselves! Perhaps when the next re-write takes place some of these high and mighty ideas can be struck out and a return to a more 'hobby' based attitude taken.

Edited By Heronsgate on 14/02/2013 11:17:09

Must say that is the interpretation that hopefully many will put on the topic. Sleeping dogs and all that comes to mind. Plus of course the majority of club boiler testers are sensible people and do appreciate what is practical and what is not. Many if not all superheaters would require a good time preparing for this capping off, would make it even worse if the intention on the day was to follow up with a steam test straight after the hydraulic had been completed.

Every now and again I read something here and my first reaction is to jump in with a comment. On this particular thread I have to be better than careful, due to my previous life as a committee member of what is said to be the premier organisation looking after the welfare of many of our clubs/societies. So in reply to 'fizzy's' question, no, but I did have a superheater let me down on my Pannier locomotive several years ago. All that happened was a decided lack of forward power, clouds of steam and a rapidly degrading fire. Oh, and a lot of laughs from fellow club members.

Just an observation that I hope will not give the impression I have any hidden agenda on this topic. Is anyone able to offer any ideas on how many actual club members from either of the National groups has actually been given the chance to look at the draft copy of the proposed 'new book'. As a club belonging now to the NAMES group we had draft copies sent out to our delegate, being the delegate concerned I then passed them on to our boiler testing team for their comments. So at least in my own Society we were and are aware of what was proposed to be the final re-printed book. I understand that this may not have been the case with one of the other National groups who indirectly, (it is alleged) had a big say in what was included, particularly with the written scheme of examination document. Just food for thought from an interested observer.