22nd June 2010

The Zurich boiler inspector attended today to carry out the hydraulic test on the Steam Mule boiler – which passed. It was then lit up for a steam test pending a return visit by the inspector next week. Below are two photos of the boiler in steam plus a short film of the engine in action. It runs beautifully – a testament to David Young’s engineering and tenacity with this project. Interestingly, and usefully, the firebox grate area is not far off what the Savage centre engine’s is – a useful training coincidence, particularly as when the Mule was conceived we had no inkling we would end up with the gallopers! Incidentally, the centre engine is currently being painted with a view to returning all of the main parts of the ride to site later this month…

Below: Stuart surveys the engine at work, exhausting up its steam chimney. A valve enables this to be diverted up the chimney, to show the fire drawing principles of the blast pipe.

Below: A short film of the steam mule in action. Shortly after the gauge glass broke, so ending the days testing! Further tests and adjustments are required before a formal steam test next week… Then the lagging and cladding can be refitted, drip trays manufactured and other detail work carried out. The first students are due to use the mule at a Steam School course in early July.