Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

So I tried firing just the 504 boiler for the first time using the advice I gathered. (Keep in mind I have never fired a steam boiler before)

When filling the boiler, I noticed that there was no movement in the site glass until the water reached the level of the upper site glass connection where it filled from the top down. I don't think this is normal. Should the site glass have filled from the bottom up?

I lit the burner and started warming the boiler up.

I noticed the site glass leaks at a slow drip around where the glass itself meets the brass (both at bottom and top)

I also noticed despite being steam I don't think the pressure gauge is working at all. It never moved off 0. It also had a small leak where it meets the boiler and also under the gauge

Should there be any washers on the top steam valve or the pressure relief valve on the top of the boiler? I had a little  coming from the valve.

And to be sure.. the top steam valve goes towards the "front" (where the gauge is) and the pressure relief valve goes towards the back (chimney side)?

I definitely did see some steam but with all the above issues I shut it down.

I guess at this point I'll empty out the boiler and see about tackling all the above

Edit: got the boiler inside after cooling off... went to turn the top steam valve and the plastic part you turn was dry-rotted and twisted off.

The boiler definitely needs some tlc