{"product_id":"5-inch-gauge-15xx-stock-code-3381","title":"5 inch gauge 15xx","description":"\u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eWhilst common practice in the USA, gas-firing for larger,  passenger-hauling locomotives has never really caught on over here - I see  examples from time to time (indeed the GWR 38xx that sold earlier in the year  had been gas-fired from new) but they remain scarce. Having never driven such a  device, when this well-built tank engine came in recently set up to run on gas,  I got together the necessary regulator and pipework, along with a small gas  bottle and gave it a go.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eLighting up is obviously easier than on coal - turn on the gas,  light the burner and it's away. I used the smallest blower I have which seemed  necessary to keep the flue gasses going the right way to start with, if not then  the gas flame would blow back from the firehole door exactly the same as a solid  fire without a draught. It raised steam in comparable time to normal, when  running regulation of the \"fire\" is easy simply by twiddling the knob  in the bunker.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eGas-firing aside, the engine itself has a silver-soldered copper  boiler, feed is by a single injector. It's highly effective and lack of any  other water feeds, which would give me cause for concern normally, isn't a  problem - if the injector has a sulk you can turn the fire off! However, in line  with current boiler testing regulations, the engine will need two means of  putting water into the boiler - the centre frame stretcher has already been  machined to take an axle pump or a hand pump could be fitted in the bunker. My  own preference would simply be a second injector. Working pressure is 90psi, the  boiler has has a twice pressure hydraulic test and is in good condition.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eCylinders are in gunmetal with piston valves actuated by  Walschaert's gear, pole reverser in the cab.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eThe engine has been well made, fit and finish of the motion work  is good with minimal wear to the chassis. My suspicion is that, having been  built, it has in the past only been fired up for demonstration rather than  hauling passengers.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eHaving run the engine and got gas-firing out of my system, I  have to say that I would replace the burner with a grate and go back to coal -  what you lose in convenience and cleanliness you lose in smell and it's nice to  have something to do with the shovel whilst running round the track. The chassis  was drilled when built for a grate pin, the grate itself is an off-the-shelf  item, a basic ashpan would be a useful addition.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"left\"\u003eLength 35 inches\u003cbr\u003e  Weight approx 150 pounds\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp align=\"center\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Station Road Steam","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54009832341845,"sku":"3381","price":3950.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1023\/0094\/2677\/files\/3381-1.webp?v=1779899310","url":"https:\/\/stationroadsteam.com\/products\/5-inch-gauge-15xx-stock-code-3381","provider":"Station Road Steam","version":"1.0","type":"link"}