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cleaned as detailed in the ‘Gas System’ section. 

 

For the first couple of minutes keep the burner on low. This is important, 
as  until  it  warms  up,  the  flame  will  be  a  little  unstable  and  turning  it  up 
too much could cause it to go out. Also, with a completely full tank, liquid 
gas  could  be  drawn  off  instead  of  vaporised  gas,  which  can  also 
extinguish the flame. After a couple of minutes, the gas control valve can 
be opened more to speed up steam raising. Open the gas regulator slowly 
to about one full turn. The full range of adjustment (closed to fully open) 
is  achieved  within  the 

first  full  rotation

  of  the  gas  regulator  knob  any 

more is unnecessary. 
 

RUNNING THE LOCOMOTIVE 

When full working pressure has been reached (between 35 and 40psi), the 
safety  valve  will  start  to  blow  off  steam.  Steam  generation  can  be 
controlled by the gas valve in the right hand side of the cab. If the safety 
valve blows off frequently during running, then too much steam is being 
produced,  which  wastes  water  and  gas.  Turning  down  the  burner  will 
decrease the amount of steam created. Conversely, if steam pressure is not 
maintained during a run, then the burner should be turned up. After a few 
minutes  of  running  it  may  be  noticed  that  the  gas  pressure  through  the 
burner has increased. This is due to the gas tank becoming warmer and so 
increasing the gas pressure. Simply turn the gas down – this may need to 
be  performed  several  times  during  a  run.  The  art  of  balancing  steam 
generation  to  the  operational  requirement  by  the  adjustment  of  the  gas 
control valve will quickly be learned.  
The  gas  tank  has  a  duration  of  about  25  minutes,  though  this  will  vary 
depending  on  the  gas  valve  setting.  The  boiler  should  not  be  allowed  to 
run  dry,  and  a  water  gauge  and  boiler  top  up  are  fitted  to  allow  you  to 
monitor  and  maintain  the  water  level  (see  the  ‘Water  Top  Up  System’ 
section).  When  the  gas  is  fully  used  up,  the  steam  pressure  in  the  boiler 
will  be  seen  to  gradually  drop  until  the  loco  comes  to  a  halt.  Should  the 
water  expire  before  the  gas  is  fully  used,  the  pressure  will  drop  rapidly 
and the loco will stop. Check the pressure and water gauges – if pressure 
is at zero and no water is visible in the gauge, turn off the gas. No damage 
will  result  if  the  gas  is  turned  off  immediately  and  the  loco  left  to  cool 
naturally.  Do not  add cold  water to  a hot,  empty boiler. Never re-fill  the 
gas tank without first re-filling the boiler. 

9

 

Summary of Contents for Blanche

Page 1: ...Linda Blanche Charles Owners Handbook For Linda Blanche Charles Locomotives ...

Page 2: ...It is intended for use out of doors and must only be operated in a well ventilated area Whilst the locomotive is in use hot gasses are exhausted up the chimney and excess steam frequently blows off through the safety valve even when stationary so operator and spectators should not bend over the model As you will appreciate this is not a toy and is therefore unsuitable for young unsupervised childr...

Page 3: ...brication Page 7 4 Lighting the Burner Page 8 Running the locomotive Page 9 Driving manually Page 10 Driving by radio control Page 10 Water top up system Page 12 Trouble shooting maintenance Page 13 Storage between operating sessions Page 13 Steam leaks Page 14 Regulator not shutting Page 14 Radio control Page 14 Gas system Page 14 Water top up system Page 16 Boiler and Gas Tank Certificate Pages ...

Page 4: ...also need to make regular checks and nip up any that become loose Most are quite visible and easy to get to however if there is any steam leaking from the valve chests between the frames refer to the Trouble Shooting section ACCESS TO THE CONTROLS For normal operation all controls are accessible without the need to remove any part of the locomotive however for ease of servicing the cab roof hinges...

Page 5: ...ARTS OF THE LOCOMOTIVE Radio controlled version illustrated 1 Lubricator filler cap 2 Safety valve 3 Gas tank filler valve 4 Gas regulator 5 Steam regulator 6 Lubricator drain 7 Water gauge 8 Pressure gauge 9 Gas burner 5 ...

Page 6: ...NG THE GAS TANK The filling of the gas tank should only be carried out in a well ventilated area where there are no naked flames or other lighted locomotives close by Ordinary Butane or Iso butane gas as used in gas cigarette lighters is the preferred fuel and for economy the larger canisters as used for blowlamps or camping stoves etc are better The larger canisters have an EN417 threaded self se...

Page 7: ...this type of water may cause long term damage to the boiler and fittings There has to be a space above the water to allow steam to be raised so insert the end of the plastic pipe into the boiler and withdraw 30ml of water with the syringe Replace the filler plug finger tight then place the dome over it Due to the design considerations of this locomotive the boiler capacity is such that the water w...

Page 8: ...is not operating correctly shut it off immediately or damage may result Move the locomotive to another location before lighting Butane is heavier than air and small pockets of gas can collect around the locomotive during filling To light the burner hold a lighted match or cigarette lighter over the top of the chimney and slowly open the gas regulator by turning it anti clockwise The gas should ign...

Page 9: ...tained during a run then the burner should be turned up After a few minutes of running it may be noticed that the gas pressure through the burner has increased This is due to the gas tank becoming warmer and so increasing the gas pressure Simply turn the gas down this may need to be performed several times during a run The art of balancing steam generation to the operational requirement by the adj...

Page 10: ...clockwise to close Using the reversing lever select the desired direction of travel and open the regulator a little Initially there will be a certain amount of water in the pipes and cylinders which will exhaust through the chimney and after a few moments the engine will move jerkily until this clears Once the parts have warmed up the engine will move off steadily and it s speed can be controlled ...

Page 11: ... required direction when the engine is moving The model is fitted with a simple reversing valve gear and is not capable for notching up altering the valve cut off Always bring the locomotive to a halt by closing the regulator before changing direction If an emergency stop is required simply release the reversing lever which will spring back into mid gear and halt the train Then close the regulator...

Page 12: ...mp bottle from your usual water supply Push the end of the plastic tube through the hole in the top of the brass steam dome and into the water filling valve on top of the boiler and hold it in Take care not to touch the hot boiler fittings Pump the handle and this will inject water into the boiler You will sometimes see water and air bubbles passing through the sight glass as you pump so allow the...

Page 13: ...S At the end of an operating session it is good practice to clean the locomotive carefully with a clean soft cloth and to oil all bright metal parts Do not leave fuel or water in the tank or boiler for long periods Do not store in places where the temperature may drop below freezing as water may still be present in the pipework Ensure all controls are closed and the valve gear in mid gear Ensure t...

Page 14: ...or further advice Periodic oiling of the gland will help keep the regulator working freely Place a spot of steam oil between the gland nut and the regulator arm and work the regulator a few times DRIVING BY RADIO CONTROL This model is fitted with 2 4 GHz R C equipment On a Radio Controlled model speed and direction are controlled by the transmitter First turn on the transmitter and then turn on th...

Page 15: ...quite normal On Penrhyn versions it is necessary to remove the cab back This is held on by two 8BA screws and nuts at the top and two M2 nuts under the rear edge of the footplate Once all four have been removed ease the top of the cab back gently outwards until it clears the roof supports then lift upwards to remove the two threaded studs from the footplate Carefully disconnect the gas pipe from t...

Page 16: ...taining nut then screw the spindle out of the body The O ring can now be lubricated Replace the spindle followed by the retaining nut Slide the white PTFE washer and backlash spring over the spindle and replace the knob Note that the grub screw that holds the knob in place tightens into a groove near the end of the spindle WATER TOP UP SYSTEM Over a period of time the end of the plastic filling tu...

Page 17: ...ad Wheatley Doncaster DN1 2TF England Telephone 01302 328035 Fax 01302 761312 www roundhouse eng com ROUNDHOUSE ENGINEERING CO LTD Units 6 9 Churchill Business Park Churchill Road Wheatley Doncaster DN1 2TF England Telephone 01302 328035 Fax 01302 761312 www roundhouse eng com ...

Page 18: ... five to ten years 1 hydrostatic pressure test to not less than 1 5 and not more that 2 times the maximum working pressure Boiler The boiler is fitted with a safety valve to prevent the steam pressure rising above the maximum allowable working pressure This is pre set to open at between 2 38 bar 35 psi and 2 72 bar 40 psi and must not be adjusted to increase this value If the safety valve becomes ...

Page 19: ...Gas Burner 1 Superheater Pipe 2 Lubricator Pipe 3 Gas Jet Block retaining screw 4 Gas Jet 5 Gas Jet Block 6 Gas Pipe 7 Gas Burner fixing screw 8 Air Inlet Holes 19 ...

Page 20: ...d first contact their local dealer Your ROUNDHOUSE dealer is www roundhouse eng com If your dealer is unable to help you may contact the Factory directly ROUNDHOUSE ENGINEERING CO LTD Units 6 9 Churchill Business Park Churchill Road Wheatley Doncaster DN1 2TF England Telephone 01302 328035 Fax 01302 761312 e mail support roundhouse eng com ONLINE 20 ...

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