Emma Victoria

Hi all now that the Emma Victoria series has finished I wondered if any one has also completed this engine.

I remember in the early days Hobby Nut seemed to be galloping along keeping up with the series but not heard anymore lately.

I am still plodding along, making good progress ( by my standards as this is my first loco) with the boiler, got all the plates cut out, flanged, drilled and most of the bushes made. When all dry assembled I might get back to finishing off the valve gear before taking the plunge with the silver soldering.

Got momentarily downhearted making the valve gear when I found out I had miscalculated a dimension for the valve centre line dimension. Fortunately it only involves making a new steam chest not the whole cylinder.

Incidentally Henry show designs for most of the steam fittings but (unless I have missed it) no mention of the injector. Do I assume these are too difficult to make and I would best buy one?

Bill D

Bill, I'm also building Emma Victoria. It is my first loco build and it seems I'm at a similar stage to you. I have all the boiler plates flanged, bushes made and tubes cut. Just ready to start gluing it togethger. Joined the local choo choo club and will be presenting the bits to the inspector for his approval soon.

I didn't realise what a big task building a loco is but it dawns on you when you quickly get the frames done and wheels in that you've only just scratched the surface. I have retired about a month ago so will have more time to get on with it. Problem is the boss thinks the house decoration has suffered a bit lately (I think its ok) so when that's sorted it should bring the warmer weather for spending time in the workshop.

I have been recently fitting a 3 axis DRO to my milling machine oh and the Farm Boy which I thought I could quickly knock out? and the Rotary table controller all take time.

I am determined to finish Emma as I think it looks such a lovely little engine for me and grandsons to play with. It seems it has attracted a bit of criticism from the more experienced builders but I hope one day to prove them wrong?

Didn't notice about the injector but if I get that near to completion I'll just go out and buy one (us rich baby boomers do that).

John

Thanks for reply John. When I started Emma I thought about 12-18 months should do it (not knowing at that time the series would go on much longer than that of course)

I suppose you could do it in that time if you spent most of your days in the workshop but most of us have and want other things to do as well.

I have been 'retired' about 4 years now, still actually work two days a week as engineering manager which is financially useful and keeps the old brain active.

However I need to step a gear now as our first grandchild is due next month, at this rate he will be 6 foot tall when he comes to see how I am getting on.

I too was attracted to Emma's looks, until then I did not have a great interest in making one.

Good luck

Bill.

Hi Bill

You are correct, I did not show any details for the Pressure Gauge and Injector,If you look back to part 1 in M.E.4444 you will see I did make reference to both these items which I do make. With regards to injectors, I followed the articles by D.Lawrence in M.E. in the year 1975 and did achieve success. I do make my own Pressure Gauges, I looked on this as a challenge many years ago and have successfully made a number for my own locos and Traction engine. Both these items are not what you could say easy to make, for this reason most Builders purchase them from our suppliers. For the Pressure Gauge, I suggest a 1"dia. with a range of (0-150psi ) and for the Injector, a No.3 (14oz/min.) is O.K.

Hope this is helpful.

Cheers

Hery

hi Bill,

the current smaller commercial injectors are not very good IMHO unless you join the queue for Len Steel's smaller Chiverton injectors marketed by Pavier Steam (usual disclaimer).

the Laurie Lawrence/Bill Carter 'weeny injector' is a good starting point if you want to make your own for Emma Victoria. it was the first injector i made myself. if you want to go down this road - which is a fascinating journey - then DAG Brown's book marketed by TEE/EIM is well worth buying.

i made one home made pressure gauge. it was a combination of what i knew from my old late departed friends Freddie Dinnis and Roy Amesbury. Roy described how he made them in ME. it is not for the faint hearted! i have enough of Freddie Dinnis's superb pressure gauges to see me out on any future projects. Freddie was an old friend who i spent much time with and was privileged to be shown most of the pressure gauge manufacturing.

i am sure ME readers would be very interested in a series of articles by Henry as to how he makes his pressure gauges and injectors.

cheers,

julian

This reader would!

Neil

Hi Julian - I'm sure Henry would do a great article, but if others want to see how another master builder makes their own, borrow one of Kozo Hiraoka's books - his Heisler book has an inch-based pressure gauge (plus dead weight tester) and one of his other books - the "Building the Climax" book, has the same in metric.

Just FYI... And I, too, would like to see how Henry builds his gauges and injectors... (hint, hint)

John.

Thank you for info Henry.

Thanks also to Julian & John, all good stuff.

Bill D.

Henry; thank you for the informative article on how you made your pressure gauges, ME 4552.

I specifically liked your comment about using brass for the bourdon tube, in that, (paraphrasing) it'll last a lifetime, so just use brass.

I've been keen on making my own since Kozo Hiraoka's articles were published in Live Steam, but, as I've got one or two commercial ones for spare, have not had reason to yet. Maybe if I ever retire...

Hi John

Thank you for your interest in my Article on how I make my own pressure gauges, I hope this will be of help to you should you decide to have a go in the future.

Henry