Millie's First Steam Up

The Moel Rhos Rly Co's first steam loco, a Roundhouse Millie class, in steam (on blocks) for the first time. See moelrhos.uk/201...

[@donaldasayers]

Condenser tumble dryer condensate is not distilled. Try tasting it if you don't believe me! The steam that comes off is mostly wet steam carrying droplets of water, so it is mostly tap water with added softener, fabric conditioner and detergent. I use rain water.

[@chrisw6303]

Nice loco,I have one in Victorian maroon fitted with pressure gauge. I also use my condenser tumble dryer water but also run it through a filter just make sure no particles get through, done that the past 4 years no problems.

[@moelrhos]

I haven't added a pressure gauge to mine (...yet....) but I have added a whistle!

[@caroleast9636]

Water from a tumble drier isn’t distilled. There’s lots of direct carry over of tap water, not just condensation from steam. Water from a de-humidifier is better, but it would still be worth running it through a filter as well.

[@andydunn5673]

Nice engine Nice little film Thanks for posting I’m thinking of getting a Billy How are you enjoying Mille

[@moelrhos]

I'm still enjoying it a lot, it's a great loco. Quite recently I took it to a friend's who has an end-to-end line with a steam (1 in 60) incline, I thought it would be madness trying to run a manual steamer on it but actually it was an absolute pleasure. It's a very relaxing loco to run (most of the time!)

[@andydunn5673]

@@moelrhos that’s sounds like a lot of fun. Pleased your still happy with her Cheers 👍😎🍻

[@dankinsler1930]

I was curious to know if you had any water left in the boiler after your run. My new Bertie seems to run out of water before gas and is cause for concern.

[@moelrhos]

Yes. I take 30-40ml out of the full boiler before lighting up and still have water when the gas runs out. I would expect the same with Bertie, though I’ve not steamed one - the Millie has a larger water capacity because it’s externally fired but I’d have assumed Bertie would therefore have a slightly smaller gas tank? Worth asking for advice on gardenrails.org if you haven’t already…

[@dorsetrailenthusiast6944]

Do you fill the side tanks with water???

[@SimonWood]

The water goes directly into the boiler, the dummy side tanks aren't even fully enclosed. I think some people put radio control gear in there, I'm going to put her whistle in the starboard tank.

[@dorsetrailenthusiast6944]

Ok thank you