Coal fed boiler for Stuart S50 – recommendations

[Mike ClarkeParticipant @mikeclarke87958]

Hi,

I'm not at all familiar with stationary engines. I have a friend whose Dad has just bought a Stuart S50. He would like to steam it on coal as he wants to experience the smell and smoke.

I've tried to do some research but can't find a definite answer. Maccsteam do some lovely boilers, but they all seem to be gas fuelled. I notice GLR do a coal fed boiler for stationary engines, but would this be overkill for the S50?

If anyone knows of a supplier who makes coal-fed boilers suitable for the S50, please can you give me your recommendations. Thanks!

Regards,

Mike.

Edited By Mike Clarke on 18/01/2013 19:59:03

[Mike ClarkeParticipant @mikeclarke87958]

[Sandy MortonParticipant @sandymorton10620]

Coal fired is a great idea but gas fired is, imvho, very much easier to operate.

[Mike ClarkeParticipant @mikeclarke87958]

I can appreciate that Sandy, thanks. He is eager to have a coal fire though….I can appreciate why, when I steam my loco the smell, sight and sound of a coal fire is really nice.

If a suitable coal-fed boiler seems unavaiable then I'll tell him he'll have to go for gas.

Thanks,

Mike.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

They have certainly been built in the past – a suitable size of boiler would be no smaller than a Tich boiler and they can be steamed on coal without trouble. Look for a vertical boiler design for a small scale steam wag(g)on. You should be able to buy just the sheets relevant to the boiler. Another alternative would be a De Winton locon or possibly a steam crane.

You may find the need for a blower and/or an extra long chimney to helps with the draught as you will probably not be loading the stationary engine very heavily.

Neil

[Mike ClarkeParticipant @mikeclarke87958]

Hi Neil, thanks.

The chap who wants the boiler wants to buy ready made – he has no facilites to make one.

Good tips – cheers,

Mike.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

He could get one made to such a design!

Neil

[Mike ClarkeParticipant @mikeclarke87958]

He could and suppose he may decide to. Just thought that with Maccsteam offering off the shelf, someone may offer a similar service, just with cold-fed.

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

May I suggest you have a look at the boiler designs already availble from MHS eg M30, M31,M36, M4, M51 or the Scott boiler 21581, any of which I believe could easily be adapted to feed an S50 and also to coal firing by any of the commercial producers such as Maccsteam or Helen at Western Steam.

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

In addition, please also note that Mainsteam have a coal fired boiler on You Tube driving a Stuart No5 engine, and Lynx models also list a suitable coal fired boiler as a standard product.

[Mike ClarkeParticipant @mikeclarke87958]

Hi Trevor thanks for that.

I don't want to get invovled in a decision to make/commision a boiler as I have ample to do – I was just wondering if there were commercial coal-fed boilers available off the shelf for use with Stuart engines as this would suit my friend's dad best.

Although I've never used Lynx, I've heard a few tales about them so would not feel comfortable recommending them. It looks as though GLR are going to be best. I know Western Steam is highly respected, but the lead times rule her out.

Some less helpful replies – as someone who has commisioned loco boilers from MaccSteam, I'd kinda worked out I could have had a boiler commisioned from scratch, not very helpful. I won't describe it as going off on tangents though, I have more manners than that!

Cheers,

Mike.

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