USATC S160 - Victory Works

[VictoryWorks]

More tender work on the S160

http://victoryworksts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/usatc-s160-tender-part-2.html

[ozinoz]

Another excellent informstive blog update - many thanks. Looking fiorward to getting my hands on this one...

[VictoryWorks]

Thank you

More of the same, but now we're in the cab.

http://victoryworksts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/usatc-s160-cab-part-1.html

[ozinoz]

Another great update into teh build process - many thanks.

How are you planning on tackling the left hand / right hand driving issue? That will be interesting...

[VictoryWorks]

@ozinoz
Most likely by only having right hand drive. Although some of the S160's were converted to LHD they are few and far between, and as much as we'd like to do LHD... and the soviet narrow gauge versions... and the steam reverser versions... and even that funky US Army one with the experimental reverser, we have to draw the line somewhere or this project will get even more out of control than it already is!

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The next blog post about the cab modelling is now up - then there will be a slight pause while we tediously unwrap everything before painting it all
http://victoryworksts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/usatc-s160-cab-part-2.html

[ozinoz]

Beautiful work...

Thanks for sharing the build process. It is a great insight into just what goes into the modelling process...

[VictoryWorks]

Hey folks. I hope it's ok but I'd like to pick a brain or 2 if I may?
The S160 cab has a set of 3 taps in a diagonal line on the backhead that lead into a large pipe. I'm guessing that they are some kind of emergency water level test in case of a broken water gauge? Can anyone confirm this and also what they do when opened - is it just the visible burst of water/steam that indicates the level is above the tap or is there something more complex?
UK locos always have 2 glasses in case of breakage so wouldn't need this kind of backup.

An identical device can be seen quite clearly in red on the right hand side of this image
http://gdansk.fotopolska.eu/foto/263/263758.jpg

Thanks

[DrewG]

The steam engine on with our heritage railway has those as well. I'm in training so I haven't learned yet what they are, well, I just don't remember. ;)

If willing to wait until tomorrow I can get that info for you. Unless some steam guy already knows it.

[VictoryWorks]

Tomorrow would be fine, thank you. I'm not yet to the stage of creating cab effects but if they do produce a burst of steam or similar it would be nice to include that. Or if not, to make them do what they are supposed to

[DrewG]

They do shoot steam when opened IIRC, they also leak a little steam but that may be just some leaky valves. I'll get all the info for you tomorrow.

[Fleegle411]

The device in question is called Tri-Cocks (don't hold me to that exact spelling), and yes they are used for checking water level should the sight glass become inoperable. when opened, one should get mostly water or just steam out of the valve's drain. The top valve should have water or steam, if one gets water out of the top valve, you don't need any more water in the boiler. the second valve should have either water or steam come out when opened, if you get steam out of the middle valve, it's time to add water. The bottom valve should always have water coming out of it. If you get just steam out of the bottom valve, run and take cover 'cause she's about to blow. Now of course, these valves open up to a hot boiler so you always get some steam, but if the valve is under the water level in the boiler you'll get water spraying out as well. the tub under the tri-cocks is to collect and drain away the water.

[DrewG]

Indeed they are Tri-cocks(Don't google that with safe-search off), and work exactly as Fleegle described. Since the sight glass gives a more accurate and visual representation of the boiler level, the tri-cocks are generally used as a back up if something were to happen to the sight glass. Here are some pictures of the tri-cocks on our engine

[VictoryWorks]

That's excellent information, thank you to you both for your time. We'll make sure they get implemented.

[VictoryWorks]

Finally the S160 is in the game!
http://victoryworksts.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/usatc-s160-first-in-game-pictures.html

Lots more to follow in the new year.

[ozinoz]

Many thanks for the update, you just managed to sneak it in in time

Looking VERY nice



Grant