Who has received their Kingscale GWR 48XX/14XX?

[John Candy]

Have you taken delivery of your GWR auto tank yet?

If so, how does it perform?

Any problems?

Are you planning to fit radio control (if so how)?

Have you also bought the Kingscale auto-trailer?

[Peaky 556]

Just a quick response on behalf of Dave Lowe (454): his 14XX was returned with some faults, which have been corrected, and redelivered this week.  It appears it may have been steamed at 'works' but so far Dave has not steamed it but hopes to do so in the next week or so.
I must add that it looks and feels a delightful model.
Dave has started making his own autocoach.
Regards, Tim

[hornbeam]

Well hopefully after a few weeks delay my lined black version will arrive soon. I will be fitting RC myself, Kingscale are supplying a handset and fittings.

I'm going to convert a Bset coach to an auto trailer as I can't afford a Kingscale one and don't have the ability to build a GRS one.

Will post pics and comment when it arrives. My only concern so far is that the filler screw for lubricator is rather prominent. Sure blackening it will help.

I've asked it to be steam tested in the UK before they despatch.

[Mick_M]

Have you taken delivery of your GWR auto tank yet?

If so, how does it perform?

Any problems?

Are you planning to fit radio control (if so how)?

Have you also bought the Kingscale auto-trailer?

[Traininvain]

Can anyone please let me have a review of the 14XX for the G3 Society Newsletter, inc:

- initial impressions
- steaming up
- running
- etc

many tx

Ian

[joewatt]

I have one. I'd never run a live steam without radio control. On an early run it got away very fast and derailed on one of my 8 foot radius bends. I realised early on that it wasn't transferring water from the tank to the boiler. On inspection I found that the nut connecting the crank banjo to the pump shaft was missing, so the pump did not stroke - see photo. Jon sent me a replacement nut, that I managed to get on the thread in the very confined space. However, I'm waiting for a 5mm ring spanner from Amazon with which to tighten the nut. The spanner is going to need modification to get in there and I'm not totally confident of success. However, Jon has said he will take the engine back and have it fixed for me if I fail. A problem has been that some connections were loose on delivery - even the chimney nut needed tightening. Kingscale needs better quality control.
I have installed radio control to my own design. However, I don't yet know if it will turn the steam lever sufficiently because I decided not to run the loco until I corrected the water transfer fault. I should have it running again soon.
I also have an auto-coach on order. However, the production of these is running late, so it has not yet been delivered.
Notwithstanding the problems - it is a super looking locomotive.

[unklian]

 I received my 14XX from Garden Railway Specialists on Saturday.

I gave it a short run on a rolling road I built for it. Then on Sunday I took it to Adrian Booth's GTG in Tenterden. There it got a further run on the rolling road, with much expert help from various members. It also received a steam test certificate with out any problem. I was then encouraged to give it a run, which it performed pretty well with 16 on. It was a bit too lively running light engine !

Generally the loco has performed well, it is still very new and a bit mechanically stiff, the crosshead pump slows the loco appreciably with the bypass valve full on. The radio control fitted has been less than satisfactory, the regulator servo will not shut the regulator fully and is very sensitive. The regulator and reversing controls are also swapped over from the diagram in the instructions. The installation is also a bit messy with a poorly sited on/off switch and wires and components hanging from under the loco. The gas supply doesn't seem to last very long, although this might be my inexperience. Whilst on the rolling road one of the backhead fittings loosened resulting in a small steam leak, once spotted it was easily tightened and problem solved.

Everybody agrees it is a great looking model with lots of authentic detail. The only thing that mars its appearance for me is the badly spaced GWR letters on the tanks.

[IanT]

I thought the engine ran very well, especially for a first run and I'm sure it will loosen up over time too. A very good looking locomotive generally - and any small imperfections could be improved if someone wanted to do so. I would think the R/C wiring can be tidied with a bit of care.

This is the second one of these models I've seen and the first one actually running. If Kingscale can make sure the quality control is properly managed, then they will be a most welcome addition to the available range of G3 engines.

Regards,

IanT

[hornbeam]

Well steamed mine tonight. Negatives are the gas filler valve sticks, not sure what to to there so have e-mailed Kingscale. I'd agree gas run is very short. The hand pump seems to take an age to fill the boiler, and I'm a little surprised how basic the instructions are. Am I right that the bypass valve is closed in the clockwise position? How many turns to fully open? The whistle also leeks a Lille steam, valve doesn't seem to fully shut.

However she looks fantastic and runs very well considering how new she is. I'm fitting the RC myself and I'm going to see if I can R/C the whistle. Overall I'm happy and Id recommend one to anybody.

[hornbeam]

Just to add I will add a removable coal load for the bunker, anyone else done this? I'm used to them being supplied with models so not sure on the best material.

[joewatt]

It seems that gas valve leaks are a problem. Mine has only been burning for 15 minutes from a full gas tank. I checked the valve with 'Fairy' liquid and got bubbles from the filler valve after a 2 hours' static test. 'Kingscale' are sending me a replacement Accucraft valve from a new batch they have purchased.

[hornbeam]

They are doing the same for me, might need to get a tool to change it. To be fair they are first class with customer service.

[joewatt]

Coal - I put my radio control battery pack in the bunker - I couldn't find anywhere else to put it. I've encased it in a cut down plastic box that I got with business cards. It is flush with the top of the bunker. My intention is to do the same that I did with my GRS Prairie that had its bunker full of battery. I bought GRS coal, covered the top of the battery pack with black silicone roof and gutter sealant and pressed the coal into it whilst it was still wet. It has stuck nicely and looks good on my Prairie.

I would be interested in details of any successful design that can get the 14xx whistle to function by radio control. Beware - the pin holding my whistle lever came out - I might have to replace it with a nut and bolt.

[David S]

I received my 14XX this morning.  Its a very nice looking model that ran well on its first run.  Like others my whistle valve leaks but it doesn't seem  to have a noticeable effect on boiler pressure or water consumption.  Also the gas filler valve is sticky and leaks gas when the tank is full, although it seems to leak less the more times I fill the tank.  I suspect with more use it may seal properly everytime.  Another couple of negatives are the lubricator drain valve is just a Phillips head screw rather than a knurled nut and like other Bowande built engines there is no easy way to drain water from the boiler which may mean the brass fittings need replacing sometime in the future.

Negative aside I thinks its a great loco and runs very well.  Anyway I cobbled together a quick video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Fm1sKnhBY

[David S]

...... Am I right that the bypass valve is closed in the clockwise position? How many turns to fully open?.....

Yes it closes in the clockwise position.  The instructions say a quarter turn for fully open but I think its a bit less than this when the boiler is at maximum pressure