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Author Topic: Captured a really big compound Marklin 4158/11 steam plant - replay from 2013  (Read 617 times)

RedRyder

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Captured a really big compound Marklin 4158/11 steam plant
Page 15 of 20
Posted: 11:28 AM - Nov 03, 2013
n2steam
Finally at rest in good hands, what a treasure. You're the chosen one, I'm sure it will be most happy.
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Posted: 10:45 PM - Nov 04, 2013
redryder
It was time to tackle cleaning the boiler and firebox. The nearly 1/8 inch of soot while a dirty job,
came out quite easily with a brush and vacuum.
 
Getting the years of baked on oil off of the blued metal boiler sheath was a real nasty task and
a balancing act. I needed to come up with a way to break down the rock hard oil film without
taking the blue surface off the metal. I tested ideas in an inconspicuous place and
came up with the right solution. Then the trick was to use enough force but not too much.
The required formula was quadruple zero ultra fine steel wool (0000) soaked with acetone and
given a healthy dollop of Maas metal polish. The combination needed constant refreshing with
both acetone and Mass added often as it's effectiveness fell off very quickly. Once done
I went over it lightly with just Maas and a microfiber polishing towel.
 
I am happy to say that I am mightily chuffed with a most satisfying result...!!!
 
Gil
 
Here is the firebox and underneath the boiler.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
And.... Here is the boiler after some hard labor and noxious fumes.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Posted: 12:37 AM - Nov 05, 2013
stenella
Excellent work - you'll probably have sore and solvent-soaked finger by now, but looking at this fantastic machine should help with the recovery!
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Posted: 6:07 AM - Nov 05, 2013
redryder
stenella:989661 wrote:Excellent work - you'll probably have sore and solvent-soaked finger by now, but looking at this fantastic machine should help with the recovery!
I used surgical gloves and went through 4 pairs of them. When the fingertips wore through I got a little.
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Posted: 7:27 AM - Nov 05, 2013
MrDuck
That is quite an impressive boiler :D
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Posted: 7:31 PM - Nov 05, 2013
redryder
More pictures after detailing work...
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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Posted: 7:57 PM - Nov 05, 2013
Earlytimes
Nice Job and pictures ... it's a neat engine .... Gil 
 
    The 10 stamped on the engine parts were probably the bench builders way of keeping it's parts identified from others.
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Posted: 6:05 AM - Nov 06, 2013
MrDuck
Good job cleaning and fantastic engine
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Posted: 7:48 AM - Nov 06, 2013
IndianaRog
Gil, just discovered this thread and enjoyed watching a gorgeous Marklin emerge from the dirt and grime.  You have given it a new lease on life and now it resides in a home that will love and appreciate such a wonderful piece.
 
Very, very nice!
 
Rog
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Posted: 8:00 AM - Nov 06, 2013
redryder
IndianaRog:990082 wrote:Gil, just discovered this thread and enjoyed watching a gorgeous Marklin emerge from the dirt and grime. You have given it a new lease on life and now it resides in a home that will love and appreciate such a wonderful piece.
 
Very, very nice!
 
Rog
Thanks, Rog...! Nice to see you posting a bit and I knew you would appreciate this when you found it.
 
Gil
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Page 15 of 20

RedRyder

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Captured a really big compound Marklin 4158/11 steam plant
Page 16 of 20
Posted: 6:49 PM - Nov 09, 2013
redryder
I attempted another live steam test and it sprung a huge steam leak due to a failed seal
at the top end of the site glass tube. It is now setting up with fresh rubber seal and a
little clear silicone. I also tested the burner on Graves grain alcohol 95% pure (190 proof, same as Everclear).
 
I will try it again late tonight or tomorrow.
 
Gil
 

 
 
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Posted: 7:15 PM - Nov 09, 2013
redryder
So I enlisted the help of Santa Clause to tend the boiler. I made him a small coal shovel
with a brass blade that I dipped in a blackening solution I got from a gunsmith shop.
(new brass just wouldn't look right)
 
Gil
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
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Posted: 7:17 PM - Nov 09, 2013
MrDuck
Not bad at all considering :D
 
My little Mrklin 5 decided to spit me in the face when the sightglass burst a leak :lol:
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Posted: 7:53 PM - Nov 09, 2013
redryder
MrDuck:991339 wrote:Not bad at all considering :D
 
My little Mrklin 5 decided to spit me in the face when the sightglass burst a leak :lol:
I am thankful mine wasn't blowing steam in my face when it let go.
 
Gil
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Posted: 1:46 AM - Nov 10, 2013
steamernick
That is utterly magnificent! Thank you so much for sharing it with us
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Posted: 5:13 AM - Nov 10, 2013
Dampfzauberer
Gil, this is important:
You did not remove hardened oil from the boilers casing.
It was the blued steels protective finish.
If you want to preserve the blueing (because it might tarnish unevenly now, greasy fingerprints etc) you should put that coat back on.
 
This is not clear paint, it is a varnish calles in Germany "zapon lack"
which is in english nitro.cellulose laquer i think.
The best is to get a spraycan wit this stuff, apllying is easier then.
It dries quick and leaves a superthin and even, clear coating.
 
btw. all blued steel parts did have this finish.
Thats why fireboxed are often so black: the varnish has burnt and hardened
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Posted: 6:18 AM - Nov 10, 2013
redryder
Thanks, Mirko. This is very good information and I will get after it. Nitrocellulose lacquer is still available here. Early automobiles were painted with it. Today it is still used on fine guitar finishes, at least when restoring guitars and other wood instruments from the 50's and 60's among other things.
 
Gil
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Posted: 6:19 PM - Nov 10, 2013
redryder
Today's project:
 
I have added a new 16 minute video here and in the video section.
 
It took a couple hours of preparation and then burning alcohol for just under an hour.
 
I got a bit over 40 minutes of run time when the burner dried up.
The video involves warm up, start, run, electrical testing and demonstrating and a
Marklin Saw accessory thanks to Maxwell (Mike).
 
Here:

 
 
 
Enjoy,
     Gil
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Posted: 7:05 PM - Nov 10, 2013
steamernick
That is wonderful information about the lacquer
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Posted: 7:24 AM - Nov 13, 2013
redryder
For contrast, some before and after clean-up pictures....
 
Still more work to do, mostly very minute detailing, cleaning, and seals.
 
Enjoy,
 
         Gil
 
Before:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
After:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
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Page 16 of 20

RedRyder

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Captured a really big compound Marklin 4158/11 steam plant
Page 17 of 20
Posted: 9:01 PM - Nov 19, 2013
redryder
At the end of the last long run, it sprung a nasty steam and water leak.
 
This site glass tube is the culprit:
 

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Posted: 9:10 PM - Nov 19, 2013
redryder
..........
 
I just got in a supply of 7 mm glass tubing and a cutter from Avagadros Lab Supply, Miller Place, New York.
 
Pyrex Borosilicate Tubing
 
7 mm x 61 cm - Five Pieces (24 inch lenths)
 
I have just made and installed a new site glass on my second attempt.
First piece broke as I tried to force it. In retrospect I might have had an easier time with a slightly smaller tube. 7 mm is the absolute maximum the fittings will take. I chose this as I felt it would make a better seal against the O-rings. The smaller size could allow a piece of the o-ring to pop out under heat and pressure.
 
Does anyone know if they used wood as a seal?
I have been asked this by a fellow collector.
 
Gil
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Posted: 10:28 PM - Nov 19, 2013
Earlytimes
The engine looks Grand, Gil    nice job!
 
   As far as wood goes for a seal I haven't seen any on older engines that might be original..... I have seen a sort of dried putty that may be original.
 
  I've used wood to seal things before ....  a hole in a radiator in a pinch...
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Posted: 5:31 AM - Nov 20, 2013
kno3
A beautiful engine! Does it use piston valves?
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Posted: 6:19 AM - Nov 20, 2013
redryder
kno3:997081 wrote:A beautiful engine! Does it use piston valves?
It does not look like a piston valve rig.
Looks more like a D-valve but I cannot be sure.
It works perfectly, the machined surfaces don't leak, so I will not be taking it apart anytime soon.
 
Perhaps one of our Marklin experts could weigh in on this.
 
Gil
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Posted: 7:13 PM - Nov 28, 2013
redryder
UPDATE:
 
 
A great big thank you to steamtoys who went out of his way to get someone to make
very nice copies of the correct original 3 sided slotted site glass guard.
The maker even nickel plated them and all for a nice reasonable price.
 
I drilled the holes a couple thousandths too close together for the express purpose of allowing
the site glass guard to help hold the fittings a hair closer together as they tend to spread apart vertically
as more pressure is applied to the glass when tightening on the o-ring seals. Below you will see
how I took up the difference with a C-clamp that I removed after installing tightening the
retaining screws. Then I gave it a good steam test to about 50 psi with no leaks!
 
Gil
 
 

 

 

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Posted: 7:14 PM - Nov 28, 2013
redryder
Here it is under pressure:

 
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Posted: 7:32 PM - Nov 28, 2013
Earlytimes
Great job... a nicely made piece that looks original.
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Posted: 1:39 AM - Nov 29, 2013
steamernick
Wow the transformation is quite magical!  And that sight glass cover looks totally original!  beautiful work!  And yes you are correct,  the engine uses a D type valve complete with tiny spring like things to keep the valve sealed against the port face
As far as i know,  Schoenner, Falk,  and Marklin were the only ones to use a "D"type
Valve.
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Posted: 9:56 PM - Dec 07, 2013
redryder
Here I have made a replacement chimney tube just for display. The original chimney will always
remain with this engine but since it was a little tatty I got a piece of brass tubing, polished it and
then experimented with some bluing/blacking solutions. I came up with a shade that while not
exactly the nice original Marklin blue that is on their steel parts, it is not too far off the mark
and pretty good for brass.
 
To get here I mixed a little Brass Black and Super Blue (for steel) together and
applied the mix gently with a chunk of 0000 steel wool soaked in it. (both from my local gunsmith shop)
 
Here are the pictures of it on the engine and I am holding the original chimney tube next to it.
It looks more grey with the original chimney next to it and more blue when by itself.
 
Gil
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Page 17 of 20
 

RedRyder

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Captured a really big compound Marklin 4158/11 steam plant
Page 18 of 20
Posted: 10:14 PM - Dec 07, 2013
Earlytimes
That looks good , Gil .....   and you still have the original, so it's a win win.
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Posted: 11:42 PM - Dec 07, 2013
steamernick
wow Gil, that is  very  very  close to  the original  finish  and  on brass  to boot!
you've done  such a lovely job with that engine
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Posted: 9:14 PM - Dec 09, 2013
redryder
Thanks gents, for all the nice comments, tips, and information.
 
Good Lord this forum is a great resource..!!!
 
Gil
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Posted: 10:19 PM - Dec 09, 2013
IndianaRog
Gil, you have restored an awesome steam engine and done it with care and attention to detail above and beyond.
 
Simply gorgeous!
 
Rog
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Posted: 2:54 AM - Dec 10, 2013
Dampfzauberer
Gil,
is the original tube a seamed tube or made of one piece?
If it is a seamed tube, then i would rather keep the original one on the engine.
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Posted: 6:33 AM - Dec 10, 2013
redryder
Dampfzauberer:1004275 wrote:Gil,
is the original tube a seamed tube or made of one piece?
If it is a seamed tube, then i would rather keep the original one on the engine.
Yes, of course the original tube is seamed and of steel. For display purposes at home the brass replacement will remain.
The original will always be near it and properly marked as such. Even if the original were on the engine I would not display
it with the seam facing the eye. With the new tube it just looks neater and cleaner and it
takes less than 10 seconds to swap back to the original tube.
 
Gil
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Posted: 7:14 AM - Dec 10, 2013
Dampfzauberer
Ah, thats good them  :lol:
(still, if it was my engine, I'd leave it original, also to show the age)
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Posted: 1:34 PM - Dec 10, 2013
Dr. Rog
Nice job, a very good match.
 
(What an engine  :D  :D )
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Posted: 12:55 PM - Dec 15, 2013
redryder
This post is just to test a thumbnail from photobucket.
 
 
 
 
Edit.... and it is working fine.
(there was an issue with these on the Smokstak Forums and I believe they fixed it. No fix needed here!)
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Posted: 6:02 PM - Oct 15, 2017
redryder
I am having trouble finding another thread where I posted the live steam test of this engine
so I will add the video to this thread (which is probably where it belongs).
 
Enjoy,
 
Gil
 
I recommend using this link for hi resolution on a full screen
as the embedded videos are now quite small.
 

 
 
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Page 18 of 20
 

RedRyder

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Captured a really big compound Marklin 4158/11 steam plant
Page 19 of 20
Posted: 9:51 AM - Oct 16, 2017
Andy.m1965
Thank you for the video Gil - I enjoyed it very much.
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Posted: 12:53 PM - Oct 16, 2017
Stoker
What a beautiful beast ... and I especially like the flat belt drive for the dynamo!
 
Glad you resurrected this video from the archives Gil ... Thanks!!!
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Posted: 12:59 PM - Oct 16, 2017
pitchy
Awesome engine Gil, love it.
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Posted: 1:20 PM - Oct 16, 2017
MrDuck
It is a grande engine and great vid of it.
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Posted: 3:58 PM - Oct 16, 2017
Dr. Rog
WOW - so awesome.
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Posted: 5:32 PM - Oct 17, 2017
redryder
Thank you, all. I really enjoyed making the video.
I must admit that these days when I want to see it run.....
I usually go right to this video which is a lot easier to start up and clean up after!
 
Gil
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Posted: 10:05 AM - Dec 02, 2017
redryder
This morning I went through this thread and added back the 7 or 8 videos that tapatalk lost on the way.
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Posted: 10:55 AM - Dec 02, 2017
Stoker
Nice Gil ... I guess that means I'll have to go clear through this old thread once again ... for the umpteenth time. Oh darn, I really hate doing that ... NOT!!!  ;c)
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Posted: 8:15 PM - Dec 02, 2017
redryder
I must admit that I did very much enjoy going through the entire thread earlier today and yes I am thankful for all the kind and helpful words expressed here.
 
Gil
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Posted: 9:08 PM - Dec 02, 2017
martstb
really pleased you resurrected this, what a beautiful engine, I sat mesmerised watching it run
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Page 19 of 20

RedRyder

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Captured a really big compound Marklin 4158/11 steam plant
Page 20 of 20
Posted: 9:18 PM - Dec 02, 2017
redryder
martstb wrote:really pleased you resurrected this, what a beautiful engine, I sat mesmerised watching it run
Thanks, Martin!
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Posted: 10:53 PM - Dec 04, 2017
oilfield_steam
Gil, I'm certainly looking forward to this wonderful beast coming to my neck of the woods. Thanks!!!
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Posted: 6:08 AM - Dec 05, 2017
redryder
oilfield_steam wrote:Gil, I'm certainly looking forward to this wonderful beast coming to my neck of the woods.  Thanks!!!
Congrats, Scott...!!!  I know it is going to a great new home!
Gil
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Posted: 6:47 PM - Dec 06, 2017
redryder
 
....
 

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Posted: 6:49 PM - Dec 06, 2017
redryder
....   xxxxxxx   ......

 

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Posted: 6:53 PM - Dec 06, 2017
Nick
Wow Gil! That must be a hard one to let go of!! Congrats Scott!!!
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Posted: 7:25 PM - Dec 06, 2017
Ben
Just read through this whole thread, wow. What an engine, and given all the right fettling and careful restoring (as usual) to Gil's high standards.
 
Thanks for sharing it with us, what a great runner it is too!
 
On a side note, I wished most eBayers knew how to pack an engine like that - nice job!
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Posted: 11:40 PM - Dec 06, 2017
MrDuck
A parade piece for certain. You'll love it, Scott.
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Posted: 3:46 PM - Dec 07, 2017
Camst648
This tread show so much of the depth Gil brings to the hobby and our forum. what wonderful reading AND view'ing.
 
Thank you Gil and every one else on this tread.
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Posted: 10:22 AM - Dec 08, 2017
yussufhippo
Great engine and great videos!!!
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Page 20 of 20