Once the locomotive is in operation as detailed in the previous
sections, water can be added to the boiler at any time during the
run as follows.
Fill the water pump bottle from your usual water supply.
Bring the locomotive to a halt in a convenient place and remove the
cab roof.
Push the end of the plastic tube down into the Water Top Up Valve,
located in the Right Hand side of the cab. Whilst still holding the
pipe in position and exerting slight downward pressure, pump the
handle and this will inject water into the boiler.
You will sometimes see water and air bubbles passing through the
sight glass as you pump so allow the level to settle after a few
pumps. Carefully pull the plastic pipe out of the Water Top Up
Valve whilst steadying the engine.
Sometimes, small particles of dirt will find their way in with the
water and may cause the water filling valve to leak back a little
when the pipe is removed. If this should happen, re-connect the
pipe and give a further pump or two of water to clear it.
A small amount of water may remain in the socket of the filler valve
once the plastic pipe has been removed and will boil off as the
fittings return to normal operating temperature. This is quite normal.
Once you start running your loco you will see the water level in the
gauge slowly dropping. Note that air bubbles may sometimes form
in the gauge giving a false reading but these can be pushed out by
connecting the pipe from the water pump to the water filling
connector and injecting some water.
It is better to pump small amounts of water into the boiler at
frequent intervals as this maintains a more even boiler pressure
and prevents long waits while the cold water heats up and pressure
returns to normal operating level.
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