SM32.CO.UK SM32 LIVE STEAM

"What they said"

Many of you may recall me talking scathingly of my pal Stuarts Accucraft
Excelsior, which had no guts and whose speed control was either flat out or
stopped with nothing in between.

It has just arrived back from the esteemed Sir Barry of Milner, with the new
cylinders, a Milner new burner and revised radio control.

It is now a delight and has in the words of its owner "turned a pig of an
engine into a top link loco". I have never seen a loco run so smoothly that
wasnt geared and its running was all at scale speeds, and on 30 psi with 5
heavy bogie coaches. It ran along my line with its 1 in 36 and short section
of 1 in 24 looking exactly like a proper narrow gauge loco. It is now very
powerful.

It is smoother than my Roundhouse locos, and to be honest, knocked Stuarts
Cheddar "Samson" into a cocked hat, making "Samson" look, especially in the smooth running dept, a bit rough in comparison.

Wish I had an Excelsior to upgrade now!

Kind regards

David Champion

Paul

Many thanks for all the work you did on my excelsior, it really has transformed the loco.

The replacement cylinders have transformed the loco and I can now run a much heavier train, much slower and for longer than before, the slow running and self starting are superb. The burner is much quieter and I hope to have the hang of adjusting the burner to a faint hiss rather than the roar I have been used to. The loco seems to run very well indeed and I am sure after a few more weekends running it will be even better. Excelsior was the first loco I bought and with the howling burner and its replacement by GRS I always felt it was not entirely as it should have been. Now she behaves as I hoped she would when I first bought her, easy to light, quick to raise steam, controllable on the gas, slow running and economical, a delight to run. If only my PPS de Winton had similar habits!!

Once again many thanks
David Dowson

Paul,

Just a quick note to say that I gave "Brian", my Accucraft Excelsior, his first run with your MLW replacement cylinders this afternoon. "Brian" also has your Superburner and chuff pipe fitted. I can only say that the change in performance is absolutely amazing. He ran slowly and steadily with a heavy, 7 wagon, load without any of the old racing and stalling. The two slight gradients on the Dalestorth Light Railway, which previously would have brought him to a halt if I tried to run him slowly were stormed up as if they weren't there! Similarly the two tightest curves were powered round in a strong and confident way, without any of the difficulty he used to have. Duration of run also seems to have increased by about five minutes, although I take the precaution of topping up with c.30ml about half way through the run as you recommend.

All-in-all, your modifications have turned a pretty but poor performing locomotive into a powerful and controllable bruiser, ready for anything I want to throw at it.

Many thanks,
Adrian Roberts

Just a word to say that the loco performs really well. Last week I put my easy chair in the garden and sat back with the confidence of knowing I wouldn't have to get up and it wouldn't run away. I ran it again today with my neighbour. I still have to master the low burner as so far it seems to do 17 minutes max before the gas runs out.

I'm glad I made the investment and thanks again.

Bob Petch (The Little Corris Railway) Excelsior Bethany

I have now fitted a set of your cylinders to a customers Excelsior and with the addition of a super heater it has completely transformed the loco into a much more "user friendly" and of course a very powerful loco .The owner is very pleased "The quality will remain long after the cost has been forgotten" MY MOTTO

Barry Milner (JBM Rapair Services)

Telephone:- (01422) 242656
E-mail:- jbm.services@virgin.net

I wanted to compliment you on the cylinders. Not only was the workmanship great, the instructions were clear and everything went together flawlessly. What a difference. I can now run Excelsior at a slower, more controlled speed, with much more power. I was able to double head with Superior today, with great sucess. In my opinion, Excelsior is now a very useful engine. Thanks again.

Best,
Ray Cadd, USA

Hi paul just to let you no I tried my excelsior (ramesses) and what a beauty it is it pulls absolutely everything I have and you cant even hear it no more chasing round the garden, more time to enjoy that (mandatory) glass of wine.

regards
D Pearce Excelsior Ramesses

Hello Paul,

I got back from work today in time to track test the modified Accucraft Brazil class here on the Bowater Paper Mills Railway.

What a transformation the modified burner and larger cylinders have produced, the loco successfully hauled six heavy loaded bogie pulp wagons with ease, with the gas regulator on a minimal setting. This load test included a stiff 1 in 30 ruling gradient on a curve, on a section of my line which links upper and lower circuits. Prior to your mods, it was necessary to stop, build up full pressure and charge the bank (this is how the full size ones were driven on the incline up from Milton Creek to the paper mill at Sittingbourne!) and it would be touch and go as to whether the loco would make it in one go with only four vehicles in tow.

With thanks from a very satisfied customer.

Jon Taylor Excelsior Premier

Just had a new pair of Paul Smith's excellent Excelsior cylinders fitted by JBM Services (Barry Milner) I must congratulate Paul for putting these cylinders into production, as they have totally transformed the loco. The power band is now much bigger allowing gradients to be tackled without the fear of stalling. Also the loco does not seem to pick up speed whilst running downhill. Before the work was carried out Excelsior used to run well on railways/layouts without any gradients, but how many garden railways are there which are level? If anyone has an Excelsior I would really recommend you purchase some cylinders off Paul, as you will not be disappointed!!

Well done Paul

Paul Butler

I must second this.

I've just collected my Excelsior from Paul Smith at the AGM and had a first trial run last Sunday. I had the full works on my loco cylinders, burner, chuff pipe and insulation done by Paul himself. This has completely transformed my loco before it struggled light engine on my line, now it tackles the gradients with ease whilst pulling a train ! Before I had to run around the track constantly trying to adjust the regulator to avoid it running away on the downhill sections now I can just stand back and watch it travel at a sensible speed without running away. It's now a completely different beast !

I haven't had chance to measure the maximum run length yet but it is definately longer whilst easily maintaining 40 psi when running whereas before it struggled to manage 20 psi with the gas valve fully open. Once I find the optimum burner setting, I reckon I can stretch it out further.

I hope to submit a more detailed review for SMT but meanwhile I also must recommend these mods to Excelsior owners.

Many thanks Paul !

Regards Geoff Mellor Excelsior

Check out the review done by Keith Brown of the Chidham Light Railway.