REPAIRING A 5 INCH GAUGE "MODELWORKS" PANNIER TANK - PART #1

[@timhopkins9659]

Hello Keith I am the proud owner of a fully fettled and very good steaming Model Works 57XX. I did start to make a list of all the modifications - But never finished it! The first Mod was to change the springs on the suspension!! The water tanks are very easy to remove; remove the two cross straps that go accross the top of the boiler and then remove the three screws holding the tank to the front of the smokebox. After undoing the balance pipe the tank comes away easily. Another mod to assist with this is to cut the balance pipe in the middle and add a short lenth of rubber tubing to re join; now you don't have to un bolt the pipe from the tank. I also fiited larger diameter pipe as the original is very restrictive. A big issue you may not see is that the inner tank is soft soldered brass; after a few steamings the solder joint will crack near the water pump. This area must be reinforced; I did this by simply soft soldering in a length of brass angle to strengthen the joint. With reference to the locked up motion; this is a common issue; the Cylinder block and Pistons are all cast iron and rust together. To overcome this I always at the end of a steaming day pump oil down the blastpipe to lubricate and coat the valves, cylinders and pistons. Another important mod is to replace the "O" rings fitted to the pistons with "proper" piston rings. I used Clupet type. I do have the original build instructions scanned to PDF if you are interested? When it comes to steaming, I have made quite a few mods to improve the drafting. Looking forward to this series Tim

[@timhopkins9659]

Hi Keith I forgot, when removing the Water Tank, also you need to take the cover of the top clack (grub screw), and undo the feed pipe from the pump. Tim

[@keithappleton]

From mine & the customer's point of view, the budget did not run to removing the tank, luckily my boiling water trick freed off the hand pump. Rust wasn't the problem, the axleboxes were right at the top of the horn blocks and tight. All is revealed later on in this series

[@harrypenn611]

I have from the kits finished with modifications and redesigns a 45xx

[@martynbuzzing3327]

That's a nice looking engine. I'll be looking forward to the repairs.

[@jockdouglass3824]

That's very great western of you.

[@bullettube9863]

Well at least this engine has a nice paint job!

[@keithappleton]

Does it?

[@Steamteamrailworks88]

This Pannier tank engine looks like Duck The Great Western Engine from Thomas The Tank Engine