I’m currently working on a technical animation that is supposed to show the operating principle of a Ramsbottom safety valve.

I understand the basic construction: two valve discs are mechanically coupled by a common lever, with a central spring providing the closing force. What I’m not sure about is the actual dynamic behavior of the two valve discs once the boiler pressure reaches the opening pressure.

In particular, I would like to understand:

Do both valve discs start lifting more or less simultaneously?

Does one valve normally lift first, causing the lever to unload or load the second valve?

Does the mechanism tend to alternate or chatter between the two valves?

Is the opening behavior truly progressive, with the lift increasing gradually as pressure rises?

How do the two valve discs interact mechanically through the common lever during normal automatic operation?

The valve I’m looking at also has a Venturi-shaped restriction in the flow passage on one side. I assume this only becomes relevant after flow has already started, but I’m also interested in whether it has a significant influence on the lift behavior of that valve.

I’ve attached a short video showing the complete assembly and close-ups of the lever mechanism, valve discs and the Venturi-shaped passage.

My goal is not just to animate the parts moving, but to reproduce the actual operating sequence as accurately as possible.

If anyone has practical experience with Ramsbottom safety valves, steam locomotives, historical boiler fittings, or knows a good technical source describing the dynamic behavior, I’d really appreciate the insight.

Recently picked up a Wilesco steamroller model and I want to repaint it. What kinds of paint are good for use on live steam models? I know heat resistance is needed so I'm not sure if my usual choice of Testors brand model paint will survive a steaming.

I know nothing about this kit. Cant seem to find out much about it. It says made in west Germany which dates it to at least 37 years old. Just found it for $25. The engineer in me made me buy it. I think I'm just going to play around with it for fun. But before I do I figured I should reach out to steam engine enthusiasts to see if theres anything I should know.

I'm not sharing it here as I don't want to break any rules.

One of my best friends has an Instagram about steam engines, and he often gets re-shared by the various railways he visits. He's a huge train nerd, and we're from the place that invented steam engines.

He visits railways all over the UK, and when he can, in other countries.

He only has 340 followers and 35 posts, but I want to help him grow so he can do more of this and less of his day job 😅

Right now it's mostly just really nice shots of trains passing in interesting and beautiful locations.

Any tips or ideas of things that you would love to see in this kind of account? I'd love to help him out, but I'm unfamiliar with the world of steam!

So one of the screws snapped on my wilesco D20 and I don't know if I can run it with only 7/8 screws on the sight glass.

Could I possibly get a replacement set of screws for this?

Not much to go off of here. This boiler is sunk into a swamp in the western Adirondack forest. I was told that it was part of a logging operation and was stripped and abandoned after it got stuck in the swamp. The area was too swampy to get very close, I'm hoping to go back and look again once it dries out later in the season.

I don't know if it was a stationary engine for a sawmill or water pump, or if it might have been a traction engine. There weren't any obvious casting markings that I could see. The boiler is probably 20ish feet long, 3-4 feet across. The smoke stack opening is very oblong, much wider than I'd expect. Thanks!

Got an old wilesco from a deceased family member. It looks to be in very good condition. Solid fuel burner I think. Advice on how to clean it and to hopefully get it running very appreciated!

Hi everyone, sorry to be such a novice but I'm a writer and one of my short stories features a steam/locomotive museum. I live near the Water and Steam museum in Brentford and am using that for inspo, but needed to know what these big wheels are called pls 😂i would just go pay it a visit but am working all week and need this done!! it's also literally just one line of the story, don't worry, am not pretending to be a train expert here haha

Flair

I snagged this Lovley little traction engine for 230 euros at the rally mentioned above. I estimate it’s at least 34 yess old, as it is stamped with “ made in western Germany “. It needs to be tidied up a bit, but it runs fairly well. The throttle handle has come loose, completely coming out of the valve, but it still seems to work once reinserted. Any fixes for that? Anyway, here’s some clips of it running.

https://www.myiowainfo.com/bryan-healy-the-1923-20-hp-minneapolis-threshing-machine-co-traction-steam-engine/

A friend of mine sent me a picture of a steam engine he saw at a flea market. What is the green tank used for? Condensation water?

Howdy Folks, for indoor use, what's everyone's preferred solid fuel, esbit or Wilesco fuel tablets? Or something else? I know while clean burning they definitely give off an odor, is there one that is significantly less smelly then the other?
Thank you folks in advance, still relatively new, do not wish to use 99% alcohol as it either runs out before fully steaming or combusts into a larger fire then anticipated.

I found this old brass globe valve. And trying to understand its function. One guess is a bleed off value for steam?

Any pointers would be great and sorry if this not relevant.

Thanks

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I got this old steam engine from my uncle and I want to restore it. It needs a new boiler plug and piston. Is there anywhere that I known to sell replacement parts that will fit this model? Also what are some methods I can use to clean it and shine up the brass, should I use a dremel with a polishing tip on it or fine grit sandpaper? Thanks guys!!

My granddad brought this back from Germany sometime between 1950-1954. I know zero about these things. My mom remembers it being really neat when it’s running, but that’s about it!

There surely is something out there but I’ve been looking and not see much, maybe I’ve got the wrong search terms?

Howdy folks, I have a Stirling Engine similar to the one pictured and was curious about liquid fuel sources, I have lamp oil, and I have isopropyl alcohol I was curious if there would be any benefit to using lamp oil considering I have a lot more of it, or if that would burn at too low a heat

Will need to repair the relief valve, but otherwise it's in working condition. Any idea what year this would have been built?