I am new to running locos, after years of building them. I can get the
fire up ok, svalves blowing off, but if I turn the blower off and the
regulator on to move forward I seem to loose all the steam in the
boiler and the water level goes very low. if I then stop and turn the
blower back on I can bring the pressure backup. using the tender pump
to bring the water in. I have tryed running with the blower in but have
the same results.I then tryed running on blocks of wood so no
resistance on the wheels, I can get the loco to run for a short while
but I loose pressure but I can maintain the water.
Any hints on what I am doing wrong? or anything I may need to change on
the loco?
the loco runs well in forward and reverse on air.

Hope someone can help

Will.