Accucraft trains Ruby 0-4-0T Kit, Assembly Instructions Manual

3-8.

 On the short leg of each valve rod (41) are two 

small grooves. Snap an e-clip (42) onto each inner 
groove. Carefully remove each valve from the valve 
blocks and screw them onto the ends of the valve 
rods (photo 8). Do not tighten the nut against the 
valve at this point, as the valves will have to be ad-
justed later.

Put a little oil on each valve and carefully return it to 
its place in the valve block. Insert the other end of 
each valve rod through its respective hole in each 
rocker arm and secure it with an e-clip (42) in the 
outer groove.

3-9.

 The eccentrics are the brass discs on the rear 

axle. Each has two threaded holes in it with set 
screws installed. Loosen the set screws but do not 
remove. Slightly tighten one set screw in each ec-
centric, just enough so that when the wheel is rotat-
ed, the eccentric revolves with the axle.

Adjusting the Valve Travel

As with the reversing valve, each of the cylinder 
valves has a tiny groove machined into it. In the 
valve’s forward-most position, that groove should 
be just touching the valve back.

Taking one side at a time, rotate the drivers and 
observe the valve’s travels. If the tiny groove trav-
els inside the valve block, screw the valve farther 
onto the valve rod. This can be done with the valve 
in place – no need to disassemble anything. If the 
groove never reaches the block, screw the valve in 

the other direction. When the groove finally touches 

the block in the valve’s forward-most position, se-
cure the valve on the rod by carefully tightening the 
nut against it, making sure that the valve doesn’t 
rotate while you are doing so.

Setting the valves

Loosen all of the screws in the eccentrics so that 
the eccentrics rotate freely on the axle. Working 
with the chassis upside down, rotate the wheels so 
that the right-hand side is at rear dead center (i.e. 

the piston rod is out as far as it will go – see figure 

1). Without rotating the axle, rotate the right-hand 
eccentric so that the two holes are equidistant on 
either side of the axle when looking straight down 
on it. Tighten one screw.

Now follow the same procedure for the other side. 
If your work was done correctly, the valves should 
now be set and you should have a working chassis. 

The finished chassis can be seen in photo 9.

Right side view

Underside view

Figure 1—Setting the valves 

Crankpin at 

rear dead center

Right eccentric

facing down

Rocker arm straight 

up and down

Eccentric holes equally spaced 

on either side of axle

4