I have just received the Aristocraft Mikado and I am pretty impressed with the loco overall, especially with the boiler fittings, design and mechanism, The "power" reverse is very good with the steel worm and brass gear. I love the electronic ignition too. The safety valve piping the steam to beneath the boiler is unique and good eye protection, especially since I love to peer down at safety valves!
I am having problems with the butane burner design, it's a job to keep it lighted and the filler valve does not bleed when the tank is full. ( I'd like a new filler valve). I understand some owners have disassembled the tender and adjusted the metering valve for a proper gas flow, I don't want to do that, I'd never get the electronics back together properly!! Any way, I think it is just the matter of keeping the butane tank warm. Accordingly I am considering installing a valve and a heat resistant neoprene tube from the bleed down valve located under the cab to the warming tank in the tender. This would have little pressure in it and could heat the water in the warming tank and bleed off the excess boiler water at the same time ( I believe the existing valve is to remove excess water from the boiler thus lessening priming.) This would kill two birds with one stone (me too, if I don't do it right!) Anyone out there with the Mikado who understands what I am trying to explain and may have some suggestions? Help! Geoff. _______________________________________________ SSLiveSteam mailing list Send messages: [email protected] Cancel subscription: http://postfix.45mm.com/mailman/listinfo/sslivesteam Rules: http://www.45mm.com/sslivesteam_guide.html
