Modern Model Boat Steam-Engines

[Gerald Gardiner 1Participant @geraldgardiner1]

I have just read richard Simpson,s third part in his mini series. Generally I think the articles are well written and Richard is to be congratulated. In the diagrams in the February issue however I think he has the diagrams mixed up. In diagram 2 I think it would be clearer if he showed the relationship between the cylinder port and the steam inlet and exhaust. In diagram 3 he has the inlet and exhaust ports reversed. The steam inlet has to be on the back side of the slide, as shown it would lift the slide and blow through to the exhaust port.

Regards,

Gerald

[Gerald Gardiner 1Participant @geraldgardiner1]

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Thanks for the kind comments Gerald.

 

As regards Diagram 2 it was extreemly difficult in such a small diagram to make the relationship any clearer without cluttering up the diagram with details that would not be legible.  I tried a couple of different ways of trying to show it and ended up with the one that was published and without making it quite a bit larger I was a bit constrained.  I agree it’s not perfect but within the size available I think most people who read it will get the idea.  I would have loved to have gone into a lot more detail but steam is quite a specific area of the hobby and it wasn’t felt that the subject merited more than the two pages per section.  Photographs of ports and bigger and clearer diagrams would have been nice but maybe not appealling to enough readers.

 

Diagram three, to be honest I missed the reversal because the practicalities of the arrangement were not the prime concern.  I was simply showing, once again in a very small diagram, just how the process works to help newcomers understand the principal.  I agree the inlet would normally be on the outside but for the principal of the operation in a purely theoretical sense it still works.

 

Thanks for making the points.

 

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello Richard

I would also like to add my congratulations for a well written and very interesting piece on one of my favourite subjects and I agree that potential new comers to steam should be encouraged without being put off by over detailed diagrams.

I look forward to reading more of your articles and thank you for taking the time and trouble to share your expertise with us.

Paul

 

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Thanks Paul.  I never realised just how much work goes into putting things like this together but I really enjoyed doing it and I have had quite a lot of positive feedback from my own club who say that some of the mystery has been clarified.

 

Trying to keep it simple will always lead to holes in the presentation and this combined with my own inexperience will be a challenge until I find my feet and get a feel for just how to present things at the right level.

 

If this series is successful, you never know, it may well lead to some more.  If that ends up tempting one or two newcomers into steam then it has all been worthwhile.

[Trevor LloydleeParticipant @trevorlloydlee64722]

I too have just found Richard Simpson’s part three of his mini series on model steam engines and wish to say that I consider it to be an excellent piece of writing.
Richard, please write more. As you commented: Very few of the model boats on the pond are steam powered and modellers need to be encouraged to have a go.

 

I also noticed the steam / exhaust reversal in his slide valve diagram.

 

You replied that you were simply showing, once again in a very small diagram, just how the process works to help newcomers understand the principal.

 

Yes, the diagram was small, but that doesn’t matter because it was a very clear diagram.

You say that it was primarily for newcomers to understand the principals. One important principal is that the outside steam pressure keeps the valve against the sealing face so that it can do its job at all.

 

The pity is that these forum comments have cleared up the unfortunate slip, but the published article cannot be corrected.

[Barry FooteParticipant @barryfoote68385]

Not really into steam until I read these articles. Beautifully written and photographed by someone who obviously knows what he is talking about. Congratulations Richard..

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Thanks for all the kind comments gents.  There isn’t really enough interest to merit an article every month but I’ll be doing the odd one or two in the future to maintain the interest and hopefully encourage more to give it a go.

[Southern SailorParticipant @southernsailor76583]

Hi Richard,

I have also found your articles most rewarding.

I have posted some questions on the drawing of the two cylinder slide valve engine in Stan Bray’s book on model steam.

Perhaps you couild help with thee or give me a lead to more comprehensive drawings for such an engine.

Thanks

Brian Adley

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Brian,

 

I’m not quite sure I understand your post sorry.  Can you please tell me where the questions are and I’ll see what I can come up with as answers.

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

For forum and thread interest, August MB on sale 10th July should have Richard Simpson’s article: ‘ Modern Steam Equipment Suppliers’ which is a follow on to his recent series. Also there is Marjorie May by Don Diment, a fabulous working r/c steam launch built of card – yes card!

Paul Freshney

Editor of Model Boats.

[Southern SailorParticipant @southernsailor76583]

Hi Richard,

 

Sorry, the questions were in a diferent thread. They were:

 

“The book Model Marine Steam by Stan Bray refers.

There seems to be some details missing from the plans of the two cylinder slide valve engine starting on page 47.  Particularly the steam chest.  Can anyone help with the missing details”

 

Perhaps you could help.

Thanks and regards

Brian

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Hi Brian,

 

I understand now.  Have you seen the answer referring to the other pages of the book?  If what you are after is not there I think a slightly bigger scan could be useful.

[michael manningsParticipant @michaelmannings21296]

I am just bginning in model boat steam engines and have read articles 3 and 5 by Richard Simpson.  Does anybody know where I can find the other four articles?

 

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

If you are a subscriber you can read them by accessing the  back Issue facility on the Website. Otherwise you can contact the back issues service (details in the magazine) and purchase the missing issues.

 

Richard’s series of articles is very useful to modellers who want to get into steam but are not into model engineering to the extent that they are able to build their own plant.

 

Colin

[Author]

Posts