OK, so now you're wondering why you can buy full size steam whistle valves on a model railway website.

If you have read the about us page you will know that I am involved with the Festiniog Railway and am actively involved in the overhaul of the steam loco's. We needed some new whistle valves and extensive enquiries in the UK led us to the conclusion that they were extinct here.

A manufacturer in the US was found, United Brass, but they would only sell directly if we ordered a container load. A US restoration company supplied us the two valves we initially needed in a hurry, but at a price.

Eventually we needed more valves and on a recent trip to the USA I made an arrangement with a wholesaler that allows me to get the valves in smaller quantities so a small stock can be kept here in the UK with more available quickly from the USA and at competitive prices.

These are solidly built valves that stand up well in service. One has been in use on the Ffestiniog's double Fairlie David Lloyd George for two seasons now without problem.

The Specification                                      Exploded Diagram

The Catch

These valves have female threaded ends and the thread is NPT rather than the more usual for the UK BSP.

This is not a big problem as the two thread forms are virtually identical. The difference is the thread angle, BSP is 55`whereas NPT is 60`

In practice BSP thread will screw into the valves or a BSP tap can be run up the thread first as there is material to remove

A complete range of spares are available. For some reason the 1/2" valve has a spares kit whilst for the larger valve you buy the individual components.

Whistles

We don't supply whistle but we know a man who can  http://www.daveswhistles.d04.net/