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

My head was not going in that direction, but now I see your photo and ideas, I like it! Thanks Jan.
  In my trade we use a ton of air cylinders to move things, we put "flow controls" on the cyl to control speed and prevent violent slam at high pressure. The flow controls meter in one direction, you can meter incoming air OR exhaust air, we Always select meter exhaust air as the cyl will move Much smoother! The piston is seeing full power and we are just slowing it down by making it harder to exhaust. Metering the incoming air can give less smooth motion. A steam cyl is pretty much an air cyl made to take the heat of steam.

Also if I tap a line into the exhaust port, it might be nice to run it down to a tiny bucket or chuff pot to keep condensate from running down boiler.
  Thanks for helping me get my head straightened out Jan.