Heisler Live Steam
Preparing the engine
A steam-locomotive engineer goes
through a lighting-up ritual every time
the engine is to be run. It is good to
follow the same routine each time so
that nothing is overlooked.
1. Oil all external moving parts of the
engine, including wheel bearings, with
a high grade, lightweight machine oil
like 3-in-1. Be sure to oil all parts of the
drive train. A little oil is all that’s neces-
sary.
2. Place the engine on track.
3. The adjustable lubricator located
in the cab ensures the cylinders and
valves are properly lubricated inside.
As the steam passes through it, a
small amount will condense into
water. This water will sink to the bot-
tom of the lubricator, forcing a similar
quantity of oil into the steam line and
thus to the cylinders.
Remove the lubricator cap and draw
out any water from previous run with
a syringe. Use only proper steam
cylinder oil. Fill the lubricator, but
leave a small air space between the
oil and the cap.
4. Unscrew the filler plug and fill the
boiler to the top with water then pull
out 30ml with large syringe. Use only
distilled water in your engine’s boiler.
Tap water contains minerals that will
leach out and ultimately affect the per-
formance of the engine.
2
Pressure gauge
Reversing lever
Filler plug
Throttle
Gas filler valve
Hand water pump
Lubricator
Water glass
