Loco on ebay

You could always email the seller.....

Michael

Er, it means it hasn't got a boiler certificate.

Seriously though, a boiler certificate is only required if you run your loco on a public track somewhere, like the local ME club. If you have a track in your back garden you can do what you want, and don't need a certificate.

The boiler tester at our local club advises that a boiler without a certificate is worth scrap copper money. And be aware that with the new boiler testing codes that have come into force some existing loco's won't pass without modification.

If in any doubt, don't bother -there are plenty of good loco's for sale with current certificates (would you buy a car without an MOT?)

Regards Kevin

What pressure are they rated at?

Michael

Isn't it possible to get it tested and get a certificate on the basis of the test ? Like grandfathers' rights or something ?

Yes, it is possible to get a test certificate for any boiler (as long as it is worthy of one). But you have to ask yourself why the seller hasn't got one, when it would considerably increase it's value for virtually no outlay. It may be that they don't know how to go about it, or it may be that they know it would never pass -bit of a gamble.

Regards Kevin

Kevin,

While I am sure you are correct, I don't like the idea of untested boilers being used anywhere - especially on a back garden railway (often with kids around), but also on a stationary engine. I assume there is guidance somewhere out there on testing your own boilers.

I raise this because I have discovered someone locally who has a garden railway, and he may well recommission it after a lay up. The live steam loco looks very impressive, but I wouldn't want to be anywhere near it without a test of some sort.

How long does a certificate last ?

Steve

In message , Boo writes

If (and it is a big IF) if you have a complete history of the boiler including old expired certificates. We have had a similar case at our club recently and, even then, a first stage certificate (hydraulic test) was not issued until the boiler had been removed from the frames and the cleading stripped off to allow a full visual inspection.

Note that the new first stage test (hydraulic test) is less rigorous than before. It is the second stage test (adequate safety valves) that is more strict. I know that all the anecdotal evidence points to copper boilers tending to fail 'gently' but at 90p.s.i. or more you can't afford to take chances.

Do not place reliance on a certificate being available that a boiler is OK. Like most tests, the results are only valid at the time the test is done (just like a MOT), in the subsequent time period after the test deterioration or damage can occur. That's why people ask for a test steaming before buying.

To me it looks like a non model specialist trader selling on e-bay and it is unlikely that appropriate boiler information will be available. Buyer beware is always a good motto.

If these are passenger carrying size then get in touch with your local ME society, who will be able to help. If they are smaller speak to the Gauge1 society or the society of 16mm modellers (depending on size)

Under the new system that is at the discretion of the boiler tester at the time, I think the maximum time they can last is two years.

And I do agree that all boilers should be regularly checked by a competent person, but was just mentioning that on a private line there is no way of enforcing any kind of rules -except what the owner chooses to do.

Regards Kevin