In the evening of 24th of June, we've made the first steam test. After almost eleven years of designing and building the first fire was lit in the firebox and the locomotive came alive on the test stand.
A simple match was all that was needed to bring her to live.
With charcoal and some coal (to temper the fire, because the newly made electric blower is a bit strong) a fire was build.
For the approx 5,5 liter of water, 25 minutes was needed to get the boiler to steam.
The motion oiled and ready for the test. The engine was jacked up on wooden blocks.
Moving under its own steam.
A nice glow of burning coal in the firebox.
Watching the needle of the pressure gauge, the water gauges and the fire closely. For this test the top of the tanks, top of coal bunker and cab is not yet mounted. This way is was easy to inspect all the boiler fittings and valves.
The whistle sounded ok.
After a half hour in steam the fire was dropped and the boiler blown down.
So far most things (water pump, injector, water gauges, check valves, lubricator, "Everlasting" blowdown valves) seems to work.
The regulator (some leakage) and the dropping of the fire grate (not dropping easy) need some attention.