Office of Steam Logo_1

Author Topic: The Workhorse  (Read 649 times)

Swift Fox

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 546
  • Location: Leicestershire, UK
    • Swift Fox Steam Co
The Workhorse
« on: June 20, 2020, 11:22:43 am »
I've had this engine many years and it is my steam show stalwart having appeared at many shows throughout the UK. I realised i haven't really shown it on here before:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
The Wilesco D16 is my favourite amongst their stationary engine range since i feel it has a good balance of size combined with being pretty powerful and a decent steam capacity. It has the bigger cylinder and nice cast rods and main bearings too!

I thought i'd draw attention to a few modifications i made from the stock engine to enable it to run all day at shows, two of these modifications were made by two very talented engineers, you know who you are!  ;)

Probably the most quintessential modification is the Forest classic's BIX gas burner, i run mine off a large disposable gas can which easily lasts all day:
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The second modification to enable all day running is a water top up valve to keep the boiler topped up with feedwater using a modified spray bottle, this was a standard mamod loco part that i got an adapter made to fit the bush normally accommodated by the whistle:
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The last modification is the most recent which is one of David's (Vpro) fabulous oil cups. As soon as i saw these on the forum, i knew it was the perfect fit for my D16 and will cut down on oiling the engine frequently. I highly recommend these for any Wilesco engine as when combined with a thick grade steam oil like 680, it lasts very well during a run and makes the engine run much quieter:
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

The beauty of all of these modifications are that they are very easy to reverse and turn the engine back to a stock factory one should i ever part with it.

Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!

Nick

  • Administrator
  • Engineer
  • *****
  • Posts: 8116
  • Location: Minnesota, USA
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2020, 11:32:42 am »
Very nice mods Philip! The D16 is also my "Workhorse" or "dedicated accessory tester". I also use a gas burner, but would like to copy your other mods very soon!
Nick

Swift Fox

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 546
  • Location: Leicestershire, UK
    • Swift Fox Steam Co
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2020, 08:53:53 am »
The D16 is a very capable engine, i'm really happy with all the mods on mine which work really well together.

Glad i've inspired you Nick! ;D
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!

IndianaRog

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 729
  • Location: Central Indiana
    • IndianaRog and the Temple of Steam
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2020, 09:07:50 am »
Philip, that is a well appointed D16, I can see how it's a favorite of yours and the mods only make it better still.  Good one!

Rog
my YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=indianarog

my website:  IndianaRog.com

txlabman

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3593
  • Location: Plano, Texas
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2020, 09:36:32 am »
Very nice Philip.

Excellent modifications for all day running.

Thank you for the post and the details.

Steamandoil (Tim)

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 335
  • Location: Western Kentucky
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2020, 10:06:16 am »
That’s a nice engine. I wish I had my best Jensen #75 modded like your Wilesco. All day running is right up my alley! I am on gas but really like the oil cup and fill valve on yours. A video would be nice too!
If you play with fire, you're gonna get burned.

Jim

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4330
  • Aussie Steamer always on the boil :)
  • Location: South Coast of New South Wales Australia
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #6 on: June 21, 2020, 07:59:56 pm »
Some nice mods Philip.
_______________________________________________
Cheers.
Jim

My YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/Blue123Heeler/videos


Nick

  • Administrator
  • Engineer
  • *****
  • Posts: 8116
  • Location: Minnesota, USA
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #7 on: June 21, 2020, 08:04:05 pm »
The D16 is a very capable engine, i'm really happy with all the mods on mine which work really well together.

Glad i've inspired you Nick! ;D

I might need your help on a link to the top up valve, maker of the adapter and which size oiler I need  ;)
Nick

Stoker

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3616
  • Wherever you go ......... there you are!
  • Location: Eastern Sierra
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2020, 09:38:07 am »
I also like the Wilesco D16 as the very best mid-sized engine in their stable. You have done an exceptional job of accoutrementing (apparently not a word, but you know what I mean) that steam plant for serious operation there Philip!

The fitting for using a spray bottle to top up a boiler under pressure is referred to as a Goodall Valve in live steam locomotive circles, and is a very basic device that is set up much simpler than what is referred to as a clack valve.

The Train Department is a good source of Goodall Valves on this side of the pond, but getting one to match the Wilesco or other threads may be the tricky part.

https://www.thetraindepartment.com/live-steam-parts-accessories/goodall-valves/
"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

Swift Fox

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 546
  • Location: Leicestershire, UK
    • Swift Fox Steam Co
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2020, 10:10:58 am »
Quote from: Nick
I might need your help on a link to the top up valve, maker of the adapter and which size oiler I need  ;)

Nick, PM Sent.  ;)
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!

Swift Fox

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 546
  • Location: Leicestershire, UK
    • Swift Fox Steam Co
Re: The Workhorse
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2020, 01:49:17 pm »
Thanks for all the kind words guys! ;D

Very pleased how this has all come together, i'll try and do a video of it running soon. ;)
Your nose is before your eyes, so trust it first!