Fitting a heat shield to protect the cylinders on a Regner tram 102 “Paul“

The design of the Paul tram caused Regner to make a few changes to the standard Easyline horizontal boiler. The boiler is positioned nearer the rear of the loco and the smoke box has been shortened by some 8mm. The air hole in the smoke box saddle has also been omitted. To compensate a horizontal air slot has been provided towards the bottom of the smoke box door. Unfortunately these changes make it possible for hot exhaust gases from the burner to exit through the slot and damage the cylinder springs. Regner have attempted to mollify this by fitting a tiny copper heat shield over the nearest cylinder spring but, in my view, this shield is too small to be of much use. Also, as the smoke box is shorter than their other Easyline locos, more heat reaches the smoke box door. This causes waste steam oil from the cylinders to burn and discolour the paint. I’ve designed and fitted a simple heat shield to provide some extra protection to the cylinders and also shield the nearby radio control servo and on/off switch from heat damage. I also made and fitted an air control ring to the burner as well as ensuring the burner was a snug fit in the boiler by application of PTFE tape. Now, with the shield in place, the loco remains just as easy to light and run as before. So far, the discolouration of the smoke box door hasn’t become noticeably worse.