Stirling Single Model construction, the final part of the build

6th September 2019 102 days since the return of the loco for me to complete

1. the regulator does not operate All sorted
2. Sight glass fitting need aligning and glass fitted All sorted
3. Make the boiler door catch and fit Not yet sorted
4. Sort out the coupling to tender Completed
5. Fix chimney to smoke box Completed
6. Amend the fixing of the cover plate above oiler Completed
7. Sort out axle pump as will not fit under the boiler Completed

8. Provide the blower outlet in the smoke box Not yet sorted

9. Seal up the bottom of the smoke box so that a vacuum can form to draw the fire Not yet sorted

10. Fit lugs on the side of the boiler where it will sit on the frames adjacent to the firebox Not required boiler sits level

11. Painting Yes progressing well

12. Make up the Cab spectacles All sorted and glass fitted

and still to do !!!

Complete all the pipework :-

2. to dummy whistle

3. to axle pump -- Started !!

do more lining out !!!!

In the afternoon I was helping the set up for the 90th Birthday party of MMES. The photo shows the large tent where tomorrow model will be displayed.

8th September 2019 104 days since the return of the loco for me to complete

Having found during the process of putting the loco back together that the reverser was in an inoperable location it was moved back towards the rear of the cab and the operating lever extended by about 25mm

As the trailing wheels overlap the location of the fixing bolt it was changed for a countersunk screw and all now fits together so far but not until the sides are put on again will I know for sure !

The Diary of the Building of a 5" gauge Stirling Single


Completion of the build Part 13
6th September 2019 *102 days since the return of the loco for me to complete* So let's look at the original list to see what has and has not been done. 1. the regulator does not operate All sorted 2. Sight glass fitting need aligning and glass fitted All sorted 3. Make the boiler door catch and fit Not yet sorted 4. Sort out the coupling to tender Completed 5. Fix chimney to smoke box Completed 6. Amend the fixing of the cover plate above oiler Completed 7. Sort out axle pump as will not fit under the boiler Completed 8. Provide the blower outlet in the smoke box Not yet sorted 9. Seal up the bottom of the smoke box so that a vacuum can form to draw the fire Not yet sorted 10. Fit lugs on the side of the boiler where it will sit on the frames adjacent to the firebox Not required boiler sits level 11. Painting Yes progressing well 12. Make up the Cab spectacles All sorted and glass fitted and still to do !!! Complete all the pipework :- 1. to whistle 2. to dummy whistle 3. to axle pump -- Started !! 4. to injectors AND do more lining out !!!!
In the afternoon I was helping the set up for the 90th Birthday party of MMES. The photo shows the large tent where tomorrow model will be displayed.
7th September 2019 *103 days since the return of the loco for me to complete* The 90th Birthday party of the MMES where I am a member and also the club hosted the Southern Federation rally. My Stirling Single was on display amongst may other locomotives built by members of the club, a proud moment for me as it certainly did not look out of place..
For the birthday party there was a wonderful cake made depicting the club's logo so with such a busy day no actual work was done on the loco.
8th September 2019 *104 days since the return of the loco for me to complete* Having found during the process of putting the loco back together that the reverser was in an inoperable location it was moved back towards the rear of the cab and the operating lever extended by about 25mm
As the trailing wheels overlap the location of the fixing bolt it was changed for a countersunk screw and all now fits together so far but not until the sides are put on again will I know for sure !
9th September 2019 *105 days since the return of the loco for me to complete* The Smokebox door was sand blasted and then sprayed with the Ultra High Temperature black paint similar to that used for the chimney.
The reversing arm which was extended is now primed ready to paint green as it can be seen behind the main driving wheels.
Pipework from the top of the Axle Pump which will link to the bypass valve, which is not yet fitted so cannot be completed. There are no known drawings showing the routes of the pipes so it is all trial and may be error ...
10th September 2019 *106 days work on the loco since it was returned to me.* The reversing lever shaft was painted,
Whilst waiting for the paint to dry I looked through my parts which are yet to be fitted and though I had better make a note of how the injectors are connected. A good diagram came with the Part from the supplier.
This is the bypass valve but I have to workout how to fit this to the axle pump.
The actuator for the reversing lever has an arm which passed very close to three bolt heads. one bolt hole I was able to counter sink but the other two no chance but the counter sunk screws give much better clearance then the bolt heads.
The motion brackets have now a coat of Red Oxide primer. The green paint on the connector will be removed !!!
11th September 2019 Spent time working on the design of a new blast Exhaust Manifold as described by a friend from MMES, their design is in the picture.
12th September 2019 The new Exhaust manifold arrived and I decided to machine it. First the two ends were machine and threaded the second end was held in a purpose made threaded holder and the second end machined and threaded. Then the third part of the T was marked out to find as best one can the centre of the part and a centre pop hammer in. Then using a laser pointer the part was adjusted in the 4 jaw chuck to bring it central. It was then centre drilled so that a revolving steady could be used and then the out side was machined to size It was then drilled through to meet the transverse hole..
Then a saw cut was made to provide a space to insert a centre babble which covered the transverse hole and extends up about 3mm into the exhaust port. The whole ides of making this came from an article in the MMES magazine where the author made a set of swept exhaust pipes link, but there was not enough space to do that in the Stirling Single. The photo shows the divider silver soldered into place with good penetration of the solder as evidenced by the marks inside.
The replacement part is not installed and a need exhaust port is to be made which will fit the threaded external part. The half size of the 3/8" hole must not be less then the full size of the 7/32" hole in the top of Blast Nozzle and by my clculations all is good !!
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The Diary of the Building of a 5" gauge Stirling Single

Completion of the build Part 13

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