Well done John!
How are the peek valves performing, can you tell anything such as blow-by
when cold or tightness when hot?
Simon

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Baguley" <baggo@...>
To: <halfinchlivesteamforum@...>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2007 1:27 AM
Subject: [Half inch live steam forum] Helen's first run


> Hi all,
>
> took Helen to Rugby last Sunday for the official steam test and got to
> give her her first run. It all went much better than I expected and
> she performed beyond my wildest dreams. The first lap was a bit of a
> disaster as I lost pressure about 3/4 of the way around the track but
> I was more interested in hanging on than keeping the fire going! It's
> quite frightening when you drive for the first time as you seem to be
> going much faster than you really are due to the closeness to the track.
> The second attempt went much better ( after trying some new coal
> donated by Peter de Salis-Johnston)and I completed about seven laps
> with the safety valves blowing off all the time until I let the fire
> get too low and I lost it all together. There's a lot to think about
> when driving these small locos!
>
> In all the excitement I didn't manage to get any photos so if anyone
> out there was at the rally and took some pics of me driving round I
> would love to have some copies,
>
> John