"First" test drive of the 3½" Mona in Breda

 With a good weather forecast for the day, we went to our club track at Breda. Our model engineering society Stoomgroep Zuid has a nice small layout for 3½" and 5" raised track and 5" and 7¼" ground level track.

So the "Mona" was packed in the box, for transport. 

This was the first outing for the 'Mona ' after the general overhaul. The safety valves had to be set to the working pressure (only 3 bar for this 23-kilogram weighing loco).  After putting water in the tanks and with the hand pump in the boiler, the fire could be lit. It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to get the full boiler pressure. During this time the loco can be oiled and steam oil filled in the lubricator. 

We tried building the fire with Esbit cubes (fire starters used for the barbecue) and dry charcoal.  This prevents smoking, which there is when using paraffin-soaked charcoal.  Indeed there is less smoke, but getting a good fire going takes longer and requires more attention.  The safety valves had only to be adjusted a bit. Screwing down the nut only two turns was enough for opening at 3 bar for the first and 3.1 bar for the second safety valve. The wider slot in the nut makes the noise of escaping steam less harsh and the valves 'pop' better. (They never really popped before)

After opening the cylinder draincocks (which now finally work again) and the regulator, the loco gently started to move. The overhaul really transformed the performance of the loco. Even valve beats, steady pulling power, and the valve gear can be notched up to almost mid-gear whilst running.

It is still a 3½" loco, so attention to the fire and water level is needed, more than a 5" or 7¼" loco. But that taken into account, she now drives as my 5" gauge GWR 14xx 'Didcot'.  

There were other club members, who were testing the locos for the upcoming steam season, so we had a lovely day. 

Busy at the track

Niels brought his brand new GWR 13xx class along.

Frank with his 7¼  "Gea" B loco. 

Now equipped with brake gear, working coal bunker, and wooden cab floor.

Toin, with whom I am currently building the Y14 class loco, taking the Mona for a run. 

Speedy,  also an LBSC design.

Paul is currently overhauling another LBSC-designed loco: The Maid of Kent, a 5" gauge 4-4-0 LMS loco. 

His son obviously enjoys the ride. 

Ernest with his last month completed "Glaskasten" Baureihe 98 

Rene brought his 5" version of the "Gea" Orenstein and Koppel loco. 

Fully made of stainless steel. 

Martin's big 5"  City of Truro class loco

The new ash vacuum cleaner works fine