Steam up and operation of an Accucraft 2 cylinder Shay live steam locomotive garden railroading fun!

Steam up Accucraft 2 cylinder Shay

Link to the Owner’s Manual for the Accucraft 2 cylinder Shay live steam locomotive:
http://www.accucraft.com/manuals/AT%2...

Link to a video discussing operating considerations for steam locomotives:

   • Operating a steam locomotive demonstr...  

The method depicted in this video for firing this locomotive generally follows the owner’s manual, but takes a few exceptions:

Accucraft recommends lubricating the locomotive’s external mechanisms first, when the locomotive is cold. To save time I lubricate the external mechanisms on a hot loco while waiting for steam to come up. Most Shay mechanisms a are exposed along the right side and can be oiled without touching the hot locomotive.

Accucraft recommends holding a lighted match in front of the open smoke box before opening the valve that flows butane to the burner. I find that like patting my head and rubbing my belly at the same time.

The gas control valve is very sensitive. I need to see what I am doing when I crack it open, but then I can’t see where my hand with the lighted match actually is. I prefer to open the valve, then go to the front of the loco and use a BBQ lighter to ignite the gas from a safe distance.

A radio controlled servo was installed in the tender tank to operate the reversing (or direction) leaver. With the throttle and burner set at a nominal opening, this single R/C servo is sufficient to provide good control of speed as well as direction for this locomotive. Details, like a headlight (operating) a whistle (non operating) and a crew have been added to this locomotive.