Stuart Twin Victoria on steam

[Chipmaster]

I haven't used my Twin Victoria very much since I finished it because of building more engines and moving house last summer.
Now I'm set up with my own engine play area out of sight behind our garage the weather today presented a good opportunity to run the engine on steam, jury rigged to a Stuart 504 boiler.

I ran it for about two and a half hours in total then had to give up because the Bix burner played up. The gas started burning inside the body of the burner rather than on top of the ceramic matrix. I experimented with the gas-air mix by re-positioning the burner jet but after a few minutes it would start roaring again as the gas burned under the matrix.
Has anyone else experienced that problem and solved it?

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzwPELk3l9s" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzwPELk3l9s</a>

Andy

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Beautiful and smooth as silk.

[Xldevil]

What a beauty.
One question,how did you connect the cylinder drain cocks or
what did you actually install at the cylinder?

[crueby]

That is wonderful! Runs and looks terrific.

For the burner issue, I've had similar issues on a poker burner if the jet gets some grit in it, partially clogging it. Try taking out the jet, and look at it towards a light, see if it is clear. If so, blowing air back in it from the output side should clear it. Assume the fuel tank still has plenty in it? Or, if it gets too cold from drawing the gas out, its pressure will drop and cause problems till it re-warms.

[scc]

Beautiful...

[Chipmaster]

Twin Victoria Cylinder Drain Cocks.
Hi Ralph, the method I used was copied from another Stuart Victoria build log that I found on the Internet -  https://stevewithnell.wordpress.com/page/2/    except, I made up threaded brass fittings rather than using copper tube. i did a brief build log of the engine when joined Model Engine Maker in 2014.
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,3378.msg59829.html#msg59829

Here is a view of one of my cylinders, upside down, with 1/4" x 40tpi elbows screwed in to the bosses cast in the cylinder
Photo 210 by Andy, on Flickr   

I then drilled corresponding holes in the side of the engine bed
pHOTO 212 by Andy, on Flickr

Straight adaptors were then made which could be passed through the holes in the engine bed and screwed on to the elbows. The outboard ends were threaded to take Stuart Turner union cocks.
Photo 211 by Andy, on Flickr

Photo 254 by Andy, on Flickr

I think it is worth taking the trouble to fit drain cocks which help when starting the engine and they're essential for clearing the cylinders of water when the engine isn't going to be used for long periods. 

Hi Chris, about the burner.... I had been sharing the burner jet holder between various models and was using the wrong sized jet hence the effect was similar to having a blocked jet as you described.

Andy

[b.lindsey]

Beautiful Andy !!! What an excellent runner too. Thanks for the video.

Bill

[Xldevil]

Hello Andy.
Thank you very much for your very detailed answer.
Your Twin Victoria is a piece of art in any way and a pleasure to watch.
Ralph

[10KPete]

That engine is practically silent! No shake at high speed, no clanking ..

And I love that color. Never seen it before.

Pete

[Bluechip]

And I love that color. Never seen it before.

Pete

Might just be L.M.S. Maroon.

https://www.phoenix-paints.co.uk/products/14p34

Seen it before on other than loco models here.

Dave

[Chipmaster]

The paint is Furness Railway Red bought from Phoenix Precision Paints in the UK.
Andy

[Gas_mantle]

A great looking engine Andy 

As for the burner, I found if I stand the gas cylinder in some slightly warm water it reduces the cooling effect and I get a more consistent gas flow.

[gbritnell]

Truly an outstanding build Andy, and it runs superbly! Running on steam just adds so much character.
gbritnell