Hi everybody. As you all know, I am a member of Coventry Model Engineering Society, and there are many different locomotives, both society-owned and privately owned. Regular readers will remember my brief mentions of the 5" gauge Reeves "Achilles" locomotive. "Achilles" is a substantial tank loco; the 0-6-0 version of the "Ajax" in fact; and is readily available from Reeves. Mr K Hall owns this particular example, having built it himself. The engine was completed in 1990 and has since ran countless times. However, since early 2009, the engine has been plagued with various problems emulating from her double-acting Water Pump. Further more, new boiler legislation has meant that all spindles (i.e. blower valves) have to be made captive, no matter how unlikely the event of unscrewing them completely! With these modifications taking place, "Achilles" has been out of service until this week when she was finally completed. The loco was filled with water a few days ago and we test steamed her today. This was a non-public, private test undertaken at base. If successful, the loco would be prepared for a journey to CMES for official tests; both hydraulic and steam. Luckily, all problems were resolved and the loco performed faultlessly. We lifted her bufferbeams onto blocks, allowing the wheels to be freely suspended. This would allow the loco to run, both forwards and backwards, and to display working of the water pump. The system worked well and "Achilles" seemed in fine form, having not steam for 2 years!...
For the test, the loco had the cab sides, cab front, coal bunker, cab floor and cab roof removed. This allows quick and easy changes to be carried out inside the cab. For example, operation of the hand pump. With the loco ready, and 1/3 of a glass of water in the boiler, I lit the fire. This was done using the usually fuel-soaked wood and coal. Within 15 minutes, the loco had 70psi (out of a full 90psi), and we got going. With a little persuasion using the pole reverser and a whiff of steam (in order to warm the cylinders and open the automatic drains), "Achilles" started away. Alot of water was blasted from the four drain cocks but, with 30 seconds or so, all was cleared. The loco was then operated at line speed. The valve gear sounded in good shape and the beat was crisp. The axlepump worked perfectly; easily filling the boiler to above the top nut in only a few revolutions of the wheels. Below, "Achilles" chugs away happily with water pump operating perfectly and regulator just cracked...Within 15 minutes of raising steam, the loco had successfully passed the tests which myself and Ken had in mind. Fantastic! So, with that, we disposed of the engine. Mind you, she already had a full glass! Thansk to Ken for a nice little morning out with "Achilles" - now for the official tests! Good day all...
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