Interesting. Could you provide contact info for the UK service agent that can provide the valve on the right (assuming you purchased it)? Thanks!
Hello Dave,
I got the gas filler valves from Dave Mees of Abbeybach Engineering -
http://www.abbeybach.co.uk/index.htmHe gets them direct from Graham Langer at Accucraft UK. They are also stocked by Anything Narrow Gauge -
https://anythingnarrowgauge.co.uk/16mm-accessories/z13gas-filler-valveI'm surprised that Accucraft USA are still selling the previous faulty valve, but maybe they have not updated the image they use. A fellow modeller had that problem when he ordered a goodall valve for an Accucraft UK loco that I had recommended - he got a different version to the one I received (mine was as the image they were using).
Chris Cairns
Hello Dave,
I got the gas filler valves from Dave Mees of Abbeybach Engineering - http://www.abbeybach.co.uk/index.htm
He gets them direct from Graham Langer at Accucraft UK. They are also stocked by Anything Narrow Gauge - https://anythingnarrowgauge.co.uk/16mm-accessories/z13gas-filler-valve
I'm surprised that Accucraft USA are still selling the previous faulty valve, but maybe they have not updated the image they use. A fellow modeller had that problem when he ordered a goodall valve for an Accucraft UK loco that I had recommended - he got a different version to the one I received (mine was as the image they were using).
Chris Cairns
Thanks! I have a new gas can adapter from Forest Classics (along with a Mamod SR/TE Bix burner set!) coming today. If that doesn't work out, a new valve is next.
Not sure which version of gas filler valve I have fitted on my Dora, but I'm due to operate the 45mm indoor layout at a Heritage Railway next month, so I'll have a look then I prepare the Dora for running.
Chris Cairns
Not sure which version of gas filler valve I have fitted on my Dora, but I'm due to operate the 45mm indoor layout at a Heritage Railway next month, so I'll have a look then I prepare the Dora for running.
Chris Cairns
Thanks! The tank seemed to fill with less fuss with the new gas can adapter. Also less spillover while filling my Ragleth. Heading out for a couple of runs now.
The new gas can adapter seems to have done the trick. The tank fills normally and
Carmela is back in business. Thanks for all of the helpful advice!
Glad the fix seems to have been so simple, but finding the culprit can be a mysterious adventure where the process of elimination can provide an ongoing series of frustrations.
Congratulations on finding a simple solution!
I discovered an interesting Dora design flaw. I activated the rotating reversing assembly after she was in steam and it popped off.
After letting it cool and a tricky reinstallation due to a stiff spring, I noticed that the threaded rod holding the disc in place loosens when set to forward, so it backs out over time. Adjusting the spring tightness doesn't change anything. It's easy enough to check and tighten every so often or just leave it in forward, but it sure was a pain to put back.
I also installed a Summerlands chuffer, which does virtually nothing sound-wise. $45 down the drain. Installation requires cutting the exhaust, so I'm stuck with it. It's a pressure fit, so I may try rotating to see if that changes the sound. I certainly won't be taking a chance and cutting any of my Roundhouse exhausts. I can recommend a Summerlands chuffer for the Ragleth, but not the Dora or Ruby. With the Ruby, the chuffer extinguished the burner.
I can recommend a Summerlands chuffer for the Ragleth, but not the Dora or Ruby. With the Ruby, the chuffer extinguished the burner.
I have a Summerlands chuffer on my Ruby, works fine. To get a good chuff, it needs a good load on the engine.
Interesting. All my Ruby chuffer did was shoot the exhaust down into the smoke box and extinguish the burner, making the loco unusable. It ran fine when I put the original pipe back. To be fair, that Ruby had multiple issues, so perhaps a chuffer was never in the cards.
Also, the Dora shoots a lot less mess out of the stack, so that is a plus.
Also, the Dora shoots a lot less mess out of the stack, so that is a plus.
The mess is why Ruby has a chuff pipe.
I ran my Dora at an outdoor layout yesterday. I confirmed that it is fitted with the later style gas filler valve (one on the right in Reply#14 above).
Following your reply Dave regarding the reverser valve threaded stud backing out I had a look at mine. Whilst operating the reverser valve the threaded stud & spring retaining nut do not move. Maybe some thread lock/loctite is needed on your threaded stud?
the Dora shoots a lot less mess out of the stack
Whilst waiting for the road on a dogbone layout, I topped up the water. I'm using a new water filler bottle (as supplied by Roundhouse) so have yet to get a feel for how much it actually transfers per pump. So I ended up putting in too much and when I started the loco running again there was a rather large fountain of milky water straight up out of the exhaust pipe - D'oh!
This unedited unlisted video shows what happened to my Dora.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuGATGZWpp8When I received it from eBay one of the cranks had come off in transit. I have a dodgy crank on my Caradoc (smaller size grub screw) and despite doubling up the grub screw it still works loose after a run or two. I'll need to add check security of the Dora's cranks to my pre-run regime.
Chris Cairns