Reluctant Bowman 234

Minor1PJG · Reluctant Bowman 234

Here is my STIA purchase, which I have to say I am very pleased with. I've wanted a 234 for a long time but was hesitant to bid via e-bay as I really wanted to hold the item and look it over before purchasing

It is all complete, including a tender and tonight I steamed her for the first time (in a long time I suspect).

She runs, but reluctantly. It would appear that one of the cylinders has been resoldered to the brass cylinder face but it looks steam tight. It does hiss a lot from that side so I wonder if it will require some lapping?

One cylinder has the cyclinder packing evident at the bottom of the con/ coupling rod - should this be visible?

I'll take her appart a little tomorrow and see it it's something obvious that's holding her back Wink

newts

The Bowman bug has bitten, there's no cure Laughing

If nobody comes up with the answers on here, then you could try the bowman yahoo group run by Owen Roberts.
Plenty of bowman rail experts, on there.
The Bowman Circle would have been running a layout at STIA yesterday, anybody got pics? Very Happy

Chris

I didn't get pics of the bowman layout. Although I did notice that they were the only people who faced away from the public.

I'm sure there were some nice people there, but it didn't make them seem very welcoming.

MTA

That is very nice, Paul Very Happy

Like you say, it is leaking a lot of steam from one side (I can hear it in the vid) so once that is cured I'm sure it will be a good runner Smile

I'm sure you will get it running well in no time. Wink

Spokesmann

Sorry to hear that Paul, keep us posted . . . . Wink

Minor1PJG

Here is my improved 234, just by setting the cylinder phasing correctly (I didn't even look at that when I got it Rolling Eyes

). This was way off from being 180 degrees Sad

She's not the Flying Scotsman yet, but she's on the way Wink

The temperature in the workshop is only 3 deg C, so that's not helping either Confused

MFSteam

Have you cleaned her up, she certainly was a good buy Wink

Minor1PJG

Not yet, but she will be receiving some fresh black paint and a light polish to the remaining green. All exposed metal will see the buffing cloth too Wink

Chris

Looking much better Very Happy

Minor1PJG

I knew my engine should run better, so I spent some time on it this evening.

I had a steam leak from one of the cylinders and so I removed that and lapped the surfaces and straight away it has made a BIG difference Very Happy

. It still won't run well on the rails though, as it would rather blow steam though the safety valve than the cylinders so a little more to do I think.

See what you think so far:

Spokesmann

My next port of call would be the SV Paul, they can be a great source of steam loss on a Bowman. Looking good! Very Happy

made-in-england

Maybey a stronger spring in the SV or new washers all round? Confused

Running better though!

MTA

That runs like the clappers now, Paul Very Happy

How long a run are you getting out of it now?

I like the fact that you are running a Bowman loco on a flannel with the text 'A Great British Classic' at the bottom Wink

Mamod Collector

I would like to see that belting around a track very nice indeed Very Happy

SillyBilly

Minor1PJG

It is a beer thingy!!

The Loco will run for over 30 mins at the moment.

I'm going to try a descale and a stronger spring on the SV to see if I can get her running on the rails. I've had it complete 3/4 of a lap on my circle of Hornby track (4' diameter) so it's getting there Wink

Minor1PJG

De-scale complete (not much came out so I don't think that made much difference), stronger spring on the SV and now look:

I need more/ better track, but this circle was only £4 so I can't complain Wink

Mamod Collector

Your a lucky guy, thats looks good sounds goods and runs good Very Happy

Spokesmann

A great runner Paul, are you going to attempt to get a tender?

John Chapman

That's brilliant Paul, glad you got it going Very Happy

Minor1PJG

Thanks chaps.

I have the tender to go with it but the wheels are all different (makes and sizes by the looks of it) so it doesn't run easily. I'll see if I can buy some new wheels or at least get two sets to match any one set on it already Laughing

made-in-england

glad to see it running propper now!!

John Chapman

I don't know if you have tried him but Chris Ford - http://www.toytrainspares.co.uk/ - sells replacement Basset Lowke and Hornby wheels. He may have something suitable.

Minor1PJG

Thanks John. I spoke to Chris on Friday and I should be receiving a parcel next week Wink