B&O 0-4-0 DOCKSIDE LIVE STEAM
4
LIGHTING UP:
Open the smoke box door; just pull it open by the door handle. Light your
lighter/match etc., and gently open the gas control valve until a gentle hiss is
heard in the burner. Apply your light into the smoke box and the flame should
‘pop’ down the fire tube and ignite the burner inside the fire tube. If the gas
valve is not opened enough the flame will not “pop back”; it will either fail to
ignite or there will be a ball of flame around the front of the engine, which will
then blow the whole fire out (after giving the driver a fright)! When the fire
sound has stabilized after about 30 seconds the gas can be turned up until
a healthy roar is heard. The smoke box door may be shut after about two
minutes. Now leave the locomotive to raise steam.
RUNNING:
When the engine has raised to about 40 psi, you are now ready to start running.
It is advisable to run the engine in reverse first. It clears the condensed water
from the cylinders best this way. Before commencing your first run of the day,
it is advisable to put a cloth loosely over the chimney for a few minutes, as
condensed water will be ejected from the chimney. This is quite normal; the
motion of the engine will be jerky until all the condensate has been ejected.
DO NOT stand over the chimney as ejected boiling water/steam
can cause serious scalding.
Place the direction lever into the reverse position, and then open the main
steam valve. The engine should start to move off in reverse direction. When
starting from cold it will be jerky, this is normal as it has to clear the condensate
from the system. The more the main steam valve is opened, the faster the
engine will go; it is recommended to start slowly and learn the road with your
engine.
