Posted By Dave -- Use Coal on 14 Apr 2010 04:23 PM
The only thing I will add is that the charcoal must be real charcoal, not bricketts. I have found misquet (My spelling isn't good without spell check)works good. At any rate it must be hardwood. I get mine at the local supermarket.
Also, the charcoal must be soaked in somekind of fluid to aid in lighting. I use regular charcoal lighter fluid.
And here are comments on the comments:
USE WELCH COAL!!!!!!!! I have always been able to get mine from Coles.
My Aster draft fan works just fine.
See both the Southern Steam Trains and Roundhouse - Engineering articles on coal firing.
You will need both a shovel and a pick. The pick is used mainly to open and close the firebox door.
Be sure to break up both charcoal and welsh coal to the proper size. This is not real critical but too big does not burn well. I use pruning shears to bust up both types of coal.
The axel pump is a must for really enjoyable coal firing.
When I made my first try at coal firing, I used a stationary test stand. I recommend this way to start.
Have fun!!!!!!Q
+1
Here is an overview of coal firing while using rollers:
Building the initial fire with a bit of hard charcoal
Awaiting for the bed to set with a good charcoal fire as per John Shawe:
All now looks rosy, however the crucial moment is now looming when the paraffin burns away there will be no more flames and it is quite possible the top of the fire will appear black and very unhealthy, most disconcerting for a fireman trained on a meth burner. Confidence is now all important and the trick is to do nothing, shutting the door and allowing the fire to burn through; honest, it hasn't gone out!
Pressure is up, fan off and blower on. again as per John: If your blower is exceptionally feeble (as mine often is due to the antiquity of my batteries) you may have to continue with charcoal until there is enough pressure to use the steam blower. Continue to build up the fire with coal and by the time working pressure is reached all of the charcoal will have burnt away.
Feeding the hungry dragon a spoon of Welsh coal- Once pressure has risen to about 20 psi, the electric blower can be removed and the steam blower turned on. Continue to build up the fire with coal and by the time working pressure is reached all of the charcoal will have burnt away. The fire will consist of the, now red hot coal that you've been busily shoveling in since taking the electric blower off. (J Shawe)
Good estalibshed coal bed, pressure and set to go
Fire box and grates glow and no sign of ash buildup
Open the throttle and let the beast run.....With a good thick bed of hot coal you will find it possible to completely fill the firebox before departure[ for us about the bottom of the door opening], allowing a longer run before more coal is required. (J. Shawe)
Some aspects of failure (yes, have encountered many)
Air flow: ash pan and the flues (especially if you have too big or too small coal that either blocks or get sucked into the flue blocking air flow)
Too much/too little: too much charcoal and too little time getting that deep bed of glowing coal
Size: size does matter (except for the K27 that are very forgiving)
Balance: keeping the pressure up with a good balance of fresh coal and adequate water. Allow the fire box to get to cool with too much "new" nuggets and/or having to pump too much water thus cooling the boiler will be cause for a station stop
Ash: make sure the grates have good air flow, might require a poke and rake once in a while other wise the critical space for air flow and capacity for nuggets to be in the bed of hot flames will be lessen
As with any "hands on" keeping elements in balance is an art with balance and a good routine the glow with make you smile with less messing with requirements than one would think is necessary.
BTW- cleaning the fiery dragon is not a difficult task nor that time consuming either. About the same as any other steam locomotive.