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C.P. Huntington

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:10 pm
by Mjordan
Hey all, I am green to live steam and I have had my grandfathers little engines Huntington passed down to me. I am trying to bring it back to rail condition. I have lubed and cleaned everything, and it all works under air. I only run about 40psi but he told me it runs at 80psi on steam. So the hydrostatic boiler test should be done at 120psi correct? Also I guess my other concern is what else should I expect or look for when trying to dust off a locomotive that hasn’t ran in 20years?

I have all original drawings as well as my grandfathers drawings of all his modifications. I also have photos of the build and when he ran it at riverside live steamers in CA. I am located in northern Alabama and will likely go to the mid south live steamers spring event to talk to club members.

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 7:24 pm
by Bill Shields
You are headed in the correct direction..

Unless you are used to dealing with steam.. the list is almost endless.

A hydro is where u start.

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:02 pm
by Mike Walsh
Mid South is a good club from what I hear. If you give it a few months, there are a few members from Mid south on this forum. You could probably join their club and I am sure they would be interested in walking you through the steps needed. I'm on the wrong side of Mid South, or I'd offer to help.

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:12 pm
by Greg_Lewis
As Bill has suggested, you don't just fill it with water, light a fire and take off. Do talk to club members before you fire it up, and be sure those members are old hands who know what they are doing. Proper lubrication and boiler care are at the top of the list and much of that is not self-evident.

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:37 pm
by Bill Shields
Hey fender....

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 12:07 am
by Fender
Bill Shields wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:37 pm Hey fender....
Actually, Charlie Pipes and Scott Reedy, both of whom are on this forum and members at MSLS, are probably closer to you than I am (Chattanooga area). Would also invite you to come to the Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers Spring Meet 4/23-25. Our track is near Dunlap, TN.

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:15 am
by Mjordan
Greg_Lewis wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 9:12 pm As Bill has suggested, you don't just fill it with water, light a fire and take off. Do talk to club members before you fire it up, and be sure those members are old hands who know what they are doing. Proper lubrication and boiler care are at the top of the list and much of that is not self-evident.
My grandfather was very particular, so I know when he stopped running it in the 90s at Riverside he winterized it properly. Before I put air on it I oiled up the steam chests as well as disassembled and reassembled the duplex pump. Unfortunately I can’t tell if the hydrostatic Euler system works right now as I have read it only operates with Condensation from steam.

I have attached a view of the cab with the oil system. Is this a common oil system set up?

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:32 am
by Mjordan
Fender wrote: Mon Mar 08, 2021 12:07 am
Bill Shields wrote: Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:37 pm Hey fender....
Actually, Charlie Pipes and Scott Reedy, both of whom are on this forum and members at MSLS, are probably closer to you than I am (Chattanooga area). Would also invite you to come to the Chattanooga Society of Model Engineers Spring Meet 4/23-25. Our track is near Dunlap, TN.

I don’t think I will be able to run it on the track by next month. I don’t have any kind of tender or riding car. But I would like to come to one of the meets, bring the Huntington and talk to members, possibly also join a club. It looks like both clubs are relatively the same distance from me. Are there many steam locomotives at either club?

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:24 am
by FLSTEAM
You need to be sure what the safety valve settings are. Won't do you any good to hydro to 125psi if the safety's are set at 125 psi also.

John B.

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:48 am
by NP317
The oil system is hydrostatic, and nicely done.
Those cab controls tell a lot about the builder: Detail oriented, and probably high quality.
You now are the caretaker of a remarkable Live Steam Locomotive!
Thanks for sharing with us.
RussN

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:57 am
by Mjordan
FLSTEAM wrote: Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:24 am You need to be sure what the safety valve settings are. Won't do you any good to hydro to 125psi if the safety's are set at 125 psi also.

John B.
I’m pretty sure he said the safety valves open at 100 psi. Theoretically couldn’t I remove them and pipe them onto my air compressor to verify?

Re: C.P. Huntington

Posted: Mon Mar 08, 2021 12:18 pm
by Mjordan
NP317 wrote: Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:48 am The oil system is hydrostatic, and nicely done.
Those cab controls tell a lot about the builder: Detail oriented, and probably high quality.
You now are the caretaker of a remarkable Live Steam Locomotive!
Thanks for sharing with us.
RussN
Thank you, he told me his attention to detail and making things complex was a curse of his. He said he created a monster haha. One of the first things people noticed on the locomotive were the “beer tap” levers when he ran it in the 80s and 90s. There are photos and videos of me riding it as a baby. My older siblings remember riding on it but I was too young to remember.

The only thing I’ve done to the oil system was replace the rubber o-rings and put fresh steam cylinder oil in it. I think that’s the most I can do as of now without steam. There is an in-line oiler right before the duplex pump that I have also replaced the oil in.