21/2 gauge dairymaid .

new to this, 2nd posting could not my first post .

purchased a 21/2 gauge dairymaid , very well made , will need new boiler which i will be making , not a lot of information about for this loco i do have some mags from 1931 with some construction details , the question today is about the regulator " see picture " at the firebox end is a screw on cap , there are 6 small holes around the edge of this cap , air comes out of these holes when the regulator is open to let air to the cylinders , what is this cap for ? , also there is a hole just behind the chimney perfect fit for the cap to fit in , but should it sit behind the chimney where it can be seen ? , any info much appreciated , no doubt ill have more questions before its finished , thanks.

Probably a "snifter" valve which has a ball inside and prevents a vacuum forming in the smokebox when the regulator is turned off ?

Mick

thanks for reply , cant read all you said got adverts in the way how do i get rid of them .

Here we go again!

looks like this advert is a ongoing problem with no solution , the bit i can read say it may be a sniffer valve sounds right , the ball is missing will get a replacement , so it may sit through the hole behind the chimney would that be correct , much appreciate the advice given, thanks .

Hi watertower, I believe Mick is correct. I think you mean the smokebox end though. In LBSC's notes on his "Dairymaid" he says to follow suit with many of the big Dairymaids and use a Maunsel snifting valve each side of the smokebox and gives reference to his "Live Steam" book for the details, but he does say that one of them can be a dummy.

However, on a previous page in his book, there are a few notes on snifting valves for 2.1/2" gauge engines and a sketch shows the one in you photo. he says they are the usual mushroom-head type and it shows it poking through the hole in the smokebox behind the chimney. It looks as if it is poking through by about twice the actual head height to the top of the head.

The original "Live Steam" book was called "Shops, Shed, and Road." and the page numbers relate to this book, although the sketchs are in both.

Hope this is of help.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 04/12/2012 19:31:37

thanks for that informtion nick , having problems reading replies do to adverts having to guess some of whats written , im still not 100 percent sure this is the dairymaid , most things match then something dont seem correct , just measured from the back of smokebox to the pipe that goes up into steam dome , its 21/2 inch should be 41/2 , i do have the original boiler plan , im gonna load more pictures see what people think it is , thanks .

changed from my pc with xp on to my laptop with vista , now i can read the posts , no advert problems great .

I'm using XP with Adblock and have no problems.

John

thanks john will try that .

appreciate any thoughts on how to proceed with this loco , all ok now with the snifter valve , the issue now is position of the pipe that goes up into the steam dome looks to near to the smokebox , plan says 41/2 inch to the back of the smokebox , its actually 21/2 inch , all other measure of regulator are spot on any ideas which way to proceed much appreciated , " see pictures " thanks .

To get past the adverts encuirage people to reply and eventually you will reach below them like watertower's last post and this one

Edited By JC Uknz 1 on 07/12/2012 06:43:24

The idea crossed my mind that if one types short lines etc like this ...

To get past the adverts encuirage people to reply

and eventually you will reach below them like

watertower's last post and this one

Edited By JC Uknz 1 on 07/12/2012 06:43:24

Edited By JC Uknz 1 on 07/12/2012 06:45:35

Watertower...this is probably going to sound crazy but is the steam pipe correctly assembled? It is difficult to tell from the photos whether the ends unscrew but if the regulator handle were where the snifter valve is and vice versa it looks as though the steam collector might be in the right place !

Mick

thanks for reply mick , but no its threaded one side silver solder the other , its realley strange it must have been a complete loco at some stage but stripped to replace the boiler some one started but didnt complete it , all the bits off the boiler came with it , ive searched looking for another 4-4-0 loco that it may have been changed too but no luck , if i dont come up with a answer then ill just make the boiler with the dome in that position , thanks .

more pics.