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

congratulations, an absolutely professional restoration and perfect run - very nice

might be from me - haha, Arnold  

Paula...thanks for the info.  I thought it was a PM gauage but I was
wondering if you had to tap the boss, and you did.  I was scouring
the net for an apropos bushing, but none was found.

Sweet restoration,
Wayne

Paula, fellow Indiana steamer here.  Love your work on that engine...could not be more professionally done.  I once had the full range of Empires, but have since sold them on.  I know how Empires end up on the eBay marketplace...folks pilfer the heaters!

cheers,
Roger (in Martinsville)

Thank you, Roger! I think what you say about the Empire heaters and eBay is true, at least to some extent. I'm not so sure about the B31 I purchased without a heater. The heater had been removed at some point, but it appears as though it met with a violent end, and the owner may have just removed it prior to seeking a replacement. By the way, I have visited your Temple Of Steam website, and really enjoyed it. You did a wonderful job!

Thanks to all of you for your nice comments. I was fortunate to find this engine in as good a condition as it was. Basically, all I did was make some minor repairs, polish it up, and gave it a new paint job. But it's nice to have one's work validated by those who appreciate it!

Paula

Paula:

Could you also use the pipe for the pressure gauge to run the engine on air?

Charlie,

Yes, I don't see why not, as long as you have a hose that fits.

Paula

One last question:

Do you know the thread of the bolt that in in the whistle on the back side?

I'm pretty sure it's 1/4-20. I think Bruce ("St. Paul Steam") restored a B30, and was able to connect a pressure gauge to that port, by way of some kind of adapter. Perhaps he will chime in.

Paula

Paula...you've done a verrrrry nice job.  Thanks for the info/instructions
on adding the guage.  All within my abilities, I think, and I have just the
engine for it.

So, the big question.  At what pressure does the S/V start to pass steam?

Thanks,
Wayne 

Thirty PSI!  I'm gobsmacked!  I had no idea they ran so high.
Your engine must pound along at a speedy clip!  Now, I need to
get together with the pressure guage and set it up.

Thanks,
Wayne