Boiler internal pipework

I would appreciate some advice on the following.

I am constructing the boiler for my 5" gauge Claud that has a round top firebox.

I am seeking to replicate the cab fittings using Don Young's methods. This involves internal feed pipes to the injector steam valves. This follows full size practice with the pipes upending in the dome space.

However I am realising that this will be very difficult to assemble regarding the myriad of obstructions in the boiler particularly as the injector valves are quite low on the backhead. Any mistakes here will be locked in once the backhead is soldered in place.

I wonder if it would be better to collect the steam via short pipes to the top of the firebox steam space. In any case Don shows a similar feed here for the blower. If so it will be much easier to erect and test before the backhead goes into its final place.

Any views on this conundrum would be most welcome.

John B

Edited By John Billard 1 on 24/11/2021 23:16:56

Edited By John Billard 1 on 24/11/2021 23:17:38

Shouldn’t really speak ill of the dead but Don Young was a draughtsman, he drew things that were easy to draw and difficult to make. I would go with short pipes to top of firebox.

Thanks Baz. Looks like there is no reasonable alternative.

In fact there is an advantage - the injector will knock off if the boiler is over filled i.e. forgotten!

Best wishes

John B

If so he wouldn't have lasted long in any design office I worked in. Being able to be made is an important part of any design.

Our design office used to teach people rather than getting rid. Rather more efficient that way.

We could do with more designs for locomotives to current standards, such as the type Luker is going to great efforts to achieve. Maybe you fancy coming up with some too?

We had an in house apprentice scheme when I started in industry, so people who came in that way knew what they were about, many progressed to senior engineering positions.

I don't see the relevance of the second part of the last post