Steaming Up - 18th May 2006
Engineering Update - Bob Crompton

Just a quick update for members interested in how President is doing in her preparation for the first trip of the season to Middlewich / Ellesmere Port.

On Wednesday 17th , Dave Stott and I visited the BCLM for the first steaming ofthe season. David lit up about 10.00 and by 13.00 we had steam wisping. Closing the vent, the pressure built and by 14.00 we had operating pressure.

Some problems with seeping and weeping from the manhole and mudhole door gaskets became less evident as the pressure and temperature rose and the new style “hard” gaskets gradually bedded in.

While we were building steam, I flame cut the bigger hole in the hull required for the exhaust condenser outlet.

With lubricators all working, including the new eccentric and big end ones, the engine was rotated under steam with no problems, with the new bigger exhaust sounding definitely huskier. There had been some concern it would sound a bit “chuffity, chuffity” but this is definitely not the case !!!

Next we tested the new condenser ejector which works well, with a solid plume of water going overboard and allowing much easier condensing operation of the engine in tunnels.

A quick test run up of the Weir pump, after Brian Empsall had adjusted the valve gear during the winter, confirmed that it was fully operational and much happier working against back pressure as a boiler feed pump.

Then it was down to steam testing the Windermere kettle. David, of course, remembers this from the time of the previous engine, but I had never experienced its operation. Less than 5 minutes from cold to a “rolling boil” (as my Mum used to say when jam making) is pretty impressive. All Drivers can now take orders for tea and coffee from the Steerer, but orders for, Earl Grey, Lattes with chocolate on top, or frothy Cappucinos will no doubt be met by a vigorous response !!

Lastly, but no less successfully, what is known as the piss pipe was tested. This flexible pipe uses a mixture of water and steam from the injector to generate a jet which will reach across the canal. Its primary use, apart from dealing with mutinous crew (or those requesting Cappucinos) , is to clean the engine room floor and equipment. Once we had finished, we were a bit wet, but the floor was sparkling.

The final important test was of the recalibrated Safety Valve which lifted at 145 psi and closed at 141psi on our gauge. Based on previous years this should be fine for the inspector.

All the other improvements and repairs undertaken this season were also successful, so we decided that it was “go” for the formal steam test for the Insurers which has now been organised for the 25th May. It only remains to load a bit of coal for the trip and get the poles etc. sorted and we will be ready to go.

Bob Crompton