The G3 Kingscale Britannia

[bolingbroke]

Steamed my Brit properly for the first time today after Roger Marsh kindly diagnosed and fixed a problem with return cranks moving on their pins. There were a few teething problems but it ran light engine very nicely and looked very impressive. Had a problem at the end but did not have time to diagnose.

Will probably not steam again until I have completed my continuous track. The target date for this was the end of March. Unfortunately a domestic problem has cropped up which will divert quite a bit of my time and effort.

Getting to this stage with the Brit has been a rocky and frustrating road but today was very promising.

[Jan Gillett]

Just a quick feedback after running at Ampthill on March 31st, thanks to all concerned for the facilities, testing, rolling stock etc, etc, what a great community to have joined. My Brit passed its test and steamed well enough for a first time at nearly freezing temperatures, looks great. Cant wait to get radio control, any help anyone....I want to buy it, not make it!

[454]

Jan,
Check your personal messages for my reply please.

Dave
454

[Moonraker]

Peter Spoerer in Norfolk does radio control for the Gauge 1 Britannias and I guess that they would work for Gauge 3. I'm sure he won't mind me quoting his web site which says:

Metal-geared servos are fitted to the footplate to control the regulator and blower levers. The Battery switchgear, charging socket, and Spektrum receiver all fit under the tender at the rear. Watch this space for more information and photos.

An Internet shopping basket will soon be employed on all these pages, but until then please phone to order. 01603 260562 or email peterspoerer@fast-mail.net.

Regards
Peter Lucas
MyLocoSound

[AshleyW]

radio- had a couple of steam ups at home last few days, trying out the radio control, the main thing i find is getting the regulator to seat shut fully home to get the engine to come to a stand, too much trim and the servo pressure on the reg can be seen, too little and the loco continues off the end of my test track! self starting in forward gear is very good, but in reverse tends to still need a little assistance. there are some good clips of radio operation on you-tube, enjoy . happy steaming.

[DanDe]

Went down to Garden Railways a few days ago. They had a Kingscale  Britannia in (not sure if it was for sale).They said they had purchased more than one. What was interesting was that they are planning to introduce Radio Control for the model.They say you would have to leave the Loco with them for them to install it. Their engineer is looking into the mechanics of fitting it all in. I registered my interest and they will give me a quote. Watch this space!!

Dan Deane.

[454]

Dan,
Was on the phone yesterday to order some bits from GRS. In passing I asked them if they were designing an RC unit for the Brit. My informant stated that they had not started anything yet as someone out there had already done it.
I replied by admitting that I had already designed one & already two Brits were so equipped based on my design. Maybe that person is me? However Brian T has control on the regulator only and we were both in email dialogue in the early days of ownership. This being the 3rd Brit with radio to my knowledge.

As for needing to have it installed by themselves then be wary as my design is self install with no need to make any modifications to the loco whatsoever. No drilling etc. It takes just a couple of minutes sorting out the Chinese Puzzle of locating the slot-in main control features and screwing the mini-clamps to fasten it to the cab floor then connecting up the leads to the radio & battery tray which replaces the false coal load unit meant for display purposes only.

If you are prepared to wait I am just finishing off a constructional article for the magazine which details all the parts necessary and how the unit is assembled. This is so members may make their own unit quite easily with minimum materials. The editorial deadline I believe is May 1st. Then all will be explained.

Also I have developed a 3 chime whistle sound card to mimic the Brit on a 7 second blast. You probably heard & saw the unit at the AGM which was on display there to stimulate ideas for how to achieve control. It has taken me about 3 months to develop it. To find & source appropriate servos was my biggest challenge.

Hope you find this helpful.

Dave
454

[DanDe]

Thanks for the update on radio control, look forward to further reading on the topic. Is there a possibility that a kit could be developed that fitted entirely within in the Cab? Can imagine to logistics being a challenge!

[454]

Dan,
I already thought of that but there are some snags with that idea.

1) Need to see the burner window.
2) Need to see the water gauge.
3) Need to see the pressure gauge.
4) Need to get your finger on the whistle valve.

OK so the whistle servo is not really necessary so that would save a bit of space (as 4) finger control only.

Packing more in would just give a visual blockage to the serious gauges that need to be monitored easily.

The radio receiver can fit on the servo bracket, I have already checked that.
The only problem I see is where to fit the batteries.
6 volts are needed & I use 4 x AAA cells.
Not sure how these could be incorporated without a detailed analysis of current consumption and a revision of the cell pack needed to power the servos.

So bearing that in mind I will see what Strikalite can offer with a rechargeable cell pack that has a suitable amp-hour-age. An on/off/recharge switch with a recharge socket will be needed so should be possible.

The pressure gauge I have eased rearward & turned it towards the cab window.

These design revisions will not feature in the Magazine article as I have already submitted it to our editor.

Be assured that I am now on the case with cab containment.

Dave
454

[454]

Dan,
By popular request you have spurred me on to fit the entire 2 channel module into the cab.
This morning I achieved it. However, will not be able to evaluate it's performance until the next steaming.

The batteries used are 4 x AAA in a plastic holder, on quick release Velcro pads mounted vertically on the
left hand side of the regulator servo mount bracket.

The Receiver is mounted similarly but directly onto the regulator servo on the right hand side. The wiring is a mess & will need tidying. Am thinking how the wiring may be rationalised to produce a neater module assembly.

For this installation I have decided that the steam whistle servo can be sacrificed so I have deleted it from my design.
This provides adequate space for a minimum 2 channel installation.

To upgrade this I propose to substitute a 5 pack AAA 6 volt 900mAH rechargeable NiMH cell pack from Strikalite for the 4 cell AAA pack mentioned earlier. To support this will be fitted an "on/off/charge" 3 position switch & a charging socket.

For this no replacement tender tray is needed.

Once the set up is beautified & photogenically acceptable will post a pic on here.

Hope this fulfills your requirement.

Dave
454

[DanDe]

Excellent- and thanks for your help and detailed consideration on in-cab radio control. Can appreciate the need to view the burner-on and water gauge when all parts fitted. Not familiar with the mechanics/electronics for RC so couldn't really offer a view as to if it is really possible. Will not be online again until 4th May as from tonight (hols). Look forward to catching up when I get back.

Dan Deane

[hornbeam]

I'm thinking of getting one of their 14xx tanks, so would owners of this loco say they are happy with it? I know it's a much differerent beast but have owners found they were happy with the quality and service?

[454]

Hornbeam,

As a very pleased Kingscale Brit owner it became a no brainer to order the 14XX at the first opportunity after I had decided which version to go for. Like my Brit this 14XX will not spend it's days in a display case it will clock up the hours & miles like the Brit has done so pleasingly.

The quality & service is excellent value. With my Brit there were teething snags initially which were each overcome. The only occasion when I could not attempt a repair the after sales service was impeccable.

Cheers
Dave

[mariserve]

I've recently taken delivery of an outstanding coal fired Britannia from Kingscale.
My problem is that they don't provide much help (nothing) on what does what and how to use it.
Living in Florida, there are no G3 clubs (or tracks) so getting direct advice is tough.

My first wish is to run it on compressed air - any help on where to connect air, and the size of fittings needed?
I assume a safety valve is best but perhaps there is a pipe in the cab which is not so fragile/important that could be used?
Again what size fittings before I ruin the threads.

Thanks,

Peter

[Peaky 556]

Peter,
Surely this is an inadvertent omission by Kingscale?  I would expect chapter and verse, aimed at a novice to steam, let alone coal-firing with all its idiosyncrasies.
From what we hear their customer service is excellent, so I would suggest you contact them for some basic instructions to be emailed to you.
Good luck with it,
Tim