On the weekend of 9-20-08, we had a club run. I arrived very early, steamed up and hit the road. Over the past 4 or 5 firings, I have learned how to steam up this engine without the assistance of any kind of draft inducing hardware. Starting off with 4 charcoal bricketts soaked in K-1, I give the fire about 5 minutes and when the pressure gauge starts to rise, I crack open the blower and add a little bit of coal. Once that takes off, about another 5 minutes, I can hear the pressure start to come up on the blower. As the blower increases, so does the fire and I add a little more coal and stir things around in the firebox. Within about 15 to 20 minutes, pressure is over 80 psi and rises very quickly to lift the pop-offs. I open the cylinder cocks and warm up the cylinders and pump a little water into to boiler for a few minutes, throw in some more coal and once the pop-off lifts again, I close the blower and cylinder cocks and head for the main line. This is still a learning process and I learn something new each time I fire #5.
Enjoy the video and let me know what you think. And if you decide that you would like to come out and check out the facility, just let me know, because I would like to meet you.
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