D Class Diary: No.9 Cleaning the water-level gauge 

Thank you for a most interesting video, Geoff..... having no experience with this style of Water Glass, I have been curious about how they were fit-up, now I see. Here's another "Tidbit" which you may like..... -- In my own experience, I have never seen any signs of calcification (sediment deposits) in our small copper Boilers, or Water Glasses, if the Boilers have been using genuine "Distilled Water" as always has been highly recommended. I have seen such sedimentary deposits when other water sources (other than genuine Distilled Water) have been used. -- That said, I have also found "Gunk" deposits in the Water Glasses of relatively "New" Boilers, evidently caused by the residual oily machine films or fluxes leftover from Boiler fabrication, when this oily residue or flux is "internally emulsified and washed-out" as the Boiler is steamed. This residue adheres to the glass in the Water Gauge causing an undesirable "Cloudiness" and "Gunk" in the Gauge or Steam Valves, etc. -- With that in mind, I have adopted the practice of internally "Flushing" any "New" locomotive Boiler with: Firstly, a small amount of "Denatured Alcohol" added to & shaken in an empty Boiler, then rinsed-out & drained, being VERY CAREFUL not to spill any on the paintwork, the CAREFUL use of a Syringe can be most helpful; and Secondly, a warmed "White Vinegar" fill & shake, rinse-out & drain, followed by a "Distilled Water" rinse-out & drain before next steaming the Boiler. Thirdly, on the next steaming of the Boiler, I disconnect the Steam Pipe from the Regulator (Throttle) and blow steam to "clear" the Regulator, which prevents any residual "Gunk" flushed from the Boiler from entering the Steam Pipe and the Cylinders. On more than one occasion I have been amazed with what has been "Flushed & Rinsed" out of a small Boiler.....

If you’re using rainwater, how come you getting scaling it then please let me know. Thank you gary