It would be interesting to see Les' method of firing. Steves A3 needs a
completely full firebox to steam, let it go below the firehole and you've
lost it. Might be worth a try with the S160 being a similar size firebox?
Draughting, smokebox air tightness and ashpan air flow are good places to
start when improving steaming.
I transformed my Tich by redraughting. Blast nozzle made smaller and a
proper petticoat pipe designed and fitted.
It did 2 complete laps of the Chesterfield track without stopping. Before
mods it simply didn't try to complete a lap.
Valve gear now worn so it'll probably never run again!
Simon


----- Original Message -----
From: "John Baguley" <baggo@...>
To: <halfinchlivesteamforum@...>
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 7:09 PM
Subject: [Half inch live steam forum] Re: Bad steaming


> David,
>
> the S160 in question belongs to Les Skinner and the poor steaming
> relates to this particular model and not the design in general. The
> bit in the latest Steam Chest is an abbreviated reply of mine to Les's
> article in the previous Steam Chest.
> The loco was originally built by Brian Butler to his usual high
> standard but apparently has always been a shy steamer. One point I
> noted from Les's article is that the boiler is built as per the plans
> but WITHOUT the water tubes in the firebox. This may well be the
> reason for the poor steaming as they will provide extra heating
> surface and also improved water circulation. The S160 should be a
> better steamer than 'Austere Ada' due to the wider firebox and hence
> larger grate area.
> I had a chat with Les at Little Hay earlier in the year but he hasn't
> had much time to try and sort out the problem yet.
>
> John