Katie joins the HLR fleet

Waiting for the signal at Giffers' End siding.

Pulling in to Giffers' End station.

Giffers' End.

Giffers' End.

Dramatic entrance!

After arriving from Yorkshire last week, Katie completed her service and pre-operational checks with HLR.

Florence's new coaches.

Slowly crossing "the door to nowhere" enroute to Buddleia Pond.

Proudly displaying her new coaches.

Steaming along.

A lazy hazy summer day with Silver Lady.

Silver Lady completes the last of her test runs (Video)

Silver Lady completes the last of her test runs (Photos)

Silver Lady class delivered to HLR.

After several months in the making, a Silver Lady class engine has been delivered to HLR from Roundhouse.

In Blue, BS105, this little lady will eventually receive it's running number 16, before entering service early next year at HLR.

Equipped with a fully sprung chassis, water gauge, simulated cylinder drain cocks and a water top up system, this 0-6-0 is eager to commence operating.

Shades of Autumn

As the last few days of summer come to a close, autumn begins to fall across the sleepy pastures of Homestyal Light Railway.

Here Florence pulls a mixed goods train providing coal and supplies to the villagers of the local communities of Homestyal, Buddleia and Brookwood.

Florence

Florence approaching Homestyal Halt with a single coal wagon.

Her rear view showing the controls and detail.

Raising steam at Homestyal Halt.

Exiting Buddleia Pond tunnel.

Florence passing by the 'baby tears'.

Photos: Courtesy of Wayne Roberts

Billy becomes..........

Ninety years ago today my mother was born and subsequently christened Florence. This morning in her memory, Billy too was christened Florence and given the operating number of 9, representing her birth date.

The crowds gathered for the renaming ceremony, including the guest of honour, The Controller.

The Stationmaster began the countdown for the curtains to unveil.

Gradually the curtains opened to the anticipating crowd.

Whilst her name is revealed, a couple of proud engineers polish and oil her components.

The Controllers secretary whispers, "What a lovely name".

"I now declare her Florence, number 9" announces The Controller.

Did you guess her name?

The renaming of Billy

The nameplates are now back from the etchers and were etch primed last week. They have still to be undercoated and finish painted, together with the normal finishing process. This may take about a fortnight.

In the meantime, any guesses of what Billy's new operating name will be?

A Winter's Tale

With radio control fitted, this is Billy's first ever controlled run. Filmed during a cold and freezing mid January's day, the smoke (steam) plumes are enhanced and lingered long after her passing.


Next stage, Billy will be renamed to her operating name this spring. Look out for the renaming ceremony in a future post.

Locomotive Lamps - 2

After priming with white primer, the lamps were given two coats of white gloss enamel paint, applied by brush and a steady hand. Once dry, the handles and lenses were painted with black and red enamel respectively.

Here they are, hanging on the rear of Billy's cab.

Locomotive Lamps - 1

A couple of lamps were needed to put on the brackets at the rear of Billy's cab. Roundhouse make and sell these in a two part kit made from white metal (Product code: CLL).

A little epoxy resin was mixed and applied to the two parts of each kit. They were then left to set for 24 hours before being primed with white metal primer.

Next stage, painting.

Billy Radio Control - Stage 2b

With the Radio Control equipment fitted, setting and adjustment of the regulator is best achieved with the locomotive 'in steam' and on blocks to raise the wheels off the ground.

Once full working pressure is raised, the transmitter and receiver were both switched on.

The regulator arm was adjusted until the transmitters 'stick' was in the half way position as the wheels began to rotate.

The movement and settings of all linkages can be seen in the above video.

Billy Radio Control - Stage 2a

The receiver was first fitted underneath the cab floor and all wires connected.

Then the linkages and adjustments were made to connect both the regulator and reversing mechanisms to their respective servos.

Fine tuning of the regulator is now required and for this, a full working pressure was raised.

Next stage, the replacement of the cab with a battery box fitted to the underside of the roof.

Billy Radio Control - Stage 1

Before commencing the fitting of the radio control components, the cab had to be removed. In addition to the R/C components, the Roundhouse Fittings Only kit HBK12 was used.

A Hitec HS81 Micro servo was first fitted for the operating of the Walschaerts valve-gear. This was mounted to two brass posts where originally the manual reversing lever was positioned.  The horn and linkage was not fitted at this time.

The regulator servo was then fitted to the bracket on the right hand side of the foot plate. (Fitted during the body stage.) Again, a Hitec HS81 Micro servo without the horn and linkage was fitted.

A switch harness was then fitted to the rear of the foot plate using the cut out provided.










Next stage, fitting and adjusting linkages.

Billy goes for another run

Now with the cab fitted, Billy has a quick run before returning to the workshop for her radio control to be fitted.

Billy Body - Stage 4

The cab roof was painted with Halfords black gloss enamel and then loosely fitted to the body with two brass screws and nuts. These provided for the hinge enabling the roof to be opened for access. 

Tip - a drop of Loctite was applied to each nut to prevent it from moving.

 

The body was then carefully placed over the gas tank and lubricator and secured in placed with a brass screw, to the rear buffer beam.

A tank support was then fed under the boiler and attached to the side tanks of the body with two brass screws. 

The dummy brass sanding dome was then slotted over the brass screw in the centre of the boiler and secured with a brass cap. 

The brass dome just sits over the safety valve assembly.

 

Before the body was fixed in place, all copper pipes and the lubricator were painted with matt black Halfords V.H.T. Engine Enamel paint.

Next stage, fitting of the Radio Control.

Billy Body - Stage 3

The body is first shown here after folding and soldering of all tags. 

Soft solder was applied with Bakers No.3 soldering flux using a small butane blowtorch (the type/size used in the kitchen). 

Warning - The brass will get hot and therefore I recommend the use of oven gloves or similar.

Tip - Whilst soldering, I used a small piece of chamois leather to wipe and smooth out the solder prior to it setting.

The dummy tank fillers were glued in place with araldite and then left 24 hours to set. The whole body was then gently rubbed down with fine grade  wet and dry paper. 

Again, I applied Isopropyl alcohol cleaner with cotton wool balls to remove any flux and oil residue, followed by a hot water and detergent bath. The body was then dried using an electric hair dryer.

The body again was sprayed with one coat of etching primer and two coats of Halfords grey enamel primer. 

Not shown here, but the roof was also prepared as above. 

Left for 24 hours before the cab was sprayed four coats of Halfords Racing Green enamel. 

After a further 24 hours, the dummy whistle, spectacles and handrails were fitted. 

Tip - to secure the handrails, a drop of Loctite 601 was applied to hold them in place.

Next stage, fitting the cab and roof to the chassis.