The first steam-up notes

The locomotive, including all detailing, is now assembled. The side rods are free from binding; the servos perform their task. Nothing stands in the way to do the first steam-up. The machine has even never run on air! On a calm evening a few meters of straight track was laid on the terrace and the locomotive prepared on here first ride. Oil, water, gas and batteries on board. The fire can be lit; at least that was the initial thought. Alas, the flame remained in the smokebox and did not hit back to the burner in the firebox. My experience with gas is limited, meths is the fuel I am familiar to. According to the instruction it should work this way, but … it didn't. After close inspection of the burner and the gaspipes it appeared that the jet wasn't tightened firmly into its holder. When this was remedied the fire lit with a beng, as it should.

The instructions indicate that the displacement lubricator should be filled above the needle valve, I would like to ad the remark that an air space is needed be above it oil level. If there is no air space left steam can't condense to push the oil into the steam pipe.

The first ride was a success. The machine performed well for its first steam-up. The slidevalves could yet get some extra attention in the form of fine adjustments. The next ride on straight track was prepared, however the engine started to roll and could not be stopped again. I was forget to extend the transmitter antenna, the RC command "drive away" was just received, for the RC command "stop" the transmitter strength was to weak, when the engine became out of reach. At the end of the line the locomotive rolled a little further over the concrete pavement... Lucky for me no damage.

Around the pond

Well, it had to happen. First ride along my modest gardenrailway around the fishpond. That is the location where my Bison (ex-Mamod) made many laps. Because of the dimensions of the Regner compared to the Bison I had to prune the plants further away from the track.

The circuit incorporates curves with radiuses of 1000-1200 mm; the Regner appeared to take them well. Although a higher rolling resistance can by noticed when pushed by hand. I guess that this type of curvature isn't suitable for this engine. It did happen occasionally that the first two axles derailed. Fortunately the pilot-irons prevented the locomotive from tumbling into the rail ballast.

Back to the engine shed to remove the washers placed between the wheel hubs and the frame of the second axle, this resulted some additional axial play for this wheel set. By this removal of the washers the curves are passed with reduced friction. The prototype has no flanges at the second axle at all.

The piston rings made of twisted Teflon tape didn't satisfy me, this due steam leakage or high friction and nothing in between. After several attempts the tape was replaced by rubber O-rings fitted neatly in the existing piston groove. This was a big improvement. Also the sound of the exhaust is now clearly audible. At low speeds the four succeeding beats are easy to distinguish per revolution.

Starting the engine when the cylinders are could is quite a task, the condensing steam in the cylinders first have to be knocked away. After some jerks and bumps the ride can start. The engine goes furious and is difficult to control by the steam regulator, the only way to control is reach for the scissors control and put is in neutral. This improved over time, if this is caused by the locomotive after during running in or my own learning curve....?

Just recently I added some kind of exhaust-regulator. This is made out four 1 mm brass wires of 60 mm length put into the exhaust pipe. The trick is that the steam resistance increases rapidly as function of the steam velocity. This results in a less furious engine, without loss of pulling power. When the steam velocity is zero so is also the resistance, with a bit of experimenting the best resistance can be found.