RE 4-4--0
Hi Larry How is the sound?
I talked to the chuffer people and made some measurements on the 440 It seems like the bottom extension is all that is needed
jim

Hi Jim,
With the temp here at 39 degrees and no sun, I steamed the 4-4-0 outside with a load today. The first run was disappointing, with some increase in volume, but no sharp beat like with my 2-6-2. The 4-4-0 has a hollow tapered stack (Rushton?), so I figured the sound was being lost as exhaust swirled around inside before exiting. After taking measurements of the inside base of the stack, a 2 7/8" long piece of 1/2" OD X 7/16" ID brass tubing, pressed into a .785 dia. bushing with a milled notch to clear a stack assembly screw, was dropped in place. With another test run,that modifiction produced the nice exhaust beat and volume from the Chuffer.
When checking another similar stack from Accucraft, I found the internal design at the base to be quite different from the one installed on my engine, so the sleeve design will have to be determined for each engine.
I'm very satisfied with both installations of the Chuffer on my engines.

Larry

Hi Larry - I am new to this group and am here as an enthusiast - though I am also responsible for a certain chuffin' product and website. I was very interested to read of your experience with the 4-4-0. I had just decided to lengthen the pipe for this loco by your 0.75 inches when I looked at the Accucraft website and saw the two different stacks. There seems to be one with a tube under the balloon and one is a full balloon (what are the correct terms?). I guessed there was going to be a problem - and within minutes I saw your solution, which sound great, but may be beyond folk without machining facilities. Is there any chance of a photo of your tube and bush - and is there an easier way for people to make it do you think.....?
Cheers
Chris

Hi Chris, yes, you do sound familiar. The first stack you refer to is known as a diamond stack. The one on my 4-4-0 I believe is a Rushton, and I'm not sure of the third style that Accucraft used on these engines. I would expect the inside dimensions at the base of all of these to be different, as found with the two I have. The tubing I used was in my collection of materials, but a suitable tube should be available from K&S Metals at a hobby supplier. One possible "universal" bushing for the base could be to pour JB Weld high-temp epoxy around the outside of the tube bottom, but this is semi-permanent and might turn off some owners. I can think of some other solutions easier than what I did, but the dimensions for each stack design must be determined first before deciding. I will try to get a photo of my tube posted here.

Larry

Wow Llyn, those are impressive pictures! Not sure if they are yours or Larry's - but thank you both for posting them. It is a fine looking loco and it is very good to learn that it sounds good. On that subject I have been experimenting today with a long chimney on a 7/8 scale loco - there was a significant improvement when the sound slot was about 25 - 30% up into the tube. It is not louder, but more "rounded" or mellow, to use your word.
Many thanks again
Chris

Chris, I give Llyn photo assignments on the Belden Falls Ry so he can earn enough mileage points to keep his K-28 running here on a regular basis.

Larry

I learned from NGT Models that the Royal Mail went on strike...so your UK items might be a long time getting across the pond....

Hi,

The Postal Strike is, as I understand, Friday and Saturday only...,
so I wouldn't expect more then a weeks delay in shipping to me...,
then to those who have orders waiting.

Thanks,

Zoë

Take a close look at the spinning globe in the Royal Mail web ad, and tell me if you notice what's glaringly wrong with it. You can find the ad if you go to e-bay UK.
Dr. J

...it's gon' the wrong way 'round..., AWHHHHH!

Zoe: You got it!!!!
I wrote to their web team last month and got a polite "thank you," but no further action. Maybe each of us should write to them and shame them into doing something. (Zubi: I say this in jest. Causing another individual to feel shame - espeicially in public - is a terrible thing, and I regret whenever I slip, and actually do it.)
Isnt it amazing what you notice, if you're a rivet-counter?
Dr. J

...or if you simply know which way the Earth spins...,

Agreed.

....I didn't save the sites...,
but I found two more globes in counter-rotation on WEB sites..., ?

Doesn't anyone know which way we're going?

Zoë

Were they (a) In the southern hemisphere, or (b) Commonwealth contries that drive on the left?
I think either of those risk factors can screw up someone's directionality, ouy t'nod?

J .rD

My Goodness..., the Royal Mails have finally arrived..., I'm hip deep in Chuffers.

Just like CHristmas!

Jerry,

have your wife wrap it in fancy paper with a bow and give it to you on Christmas morning... Ho Ho Ho

.
Bill

Cold get in trouble with that statement Bill!

Who's going to be the first to post a video of a Shay with a Chuff pipe?


.

TrainMax...,
that looks an awful lot like an Engine
I used to run at Lake Lansing Amusement Park...,
is there a Wisconsin 4 in there, Hydrostatic transmission and Air Brakes?

Zoë