Large Scale Central

Bellflower Live Steam Cricket

Videos
#1

I had put my name on the list for a Bellflower Live Steam Cricket months ago in hopes that when it was finished I would have the money to buy it. Whats nice is you dont have to money down, just get on the list and when it ready Art calls you. If you decided not to get it, its no big deal he just goes to the next person. After working alot of overtime from the Hurrican I was able to save up the money. A few weeks later I got the call from Art saying that my Cricket was almost done. I sent the money and just yesterday my package came. (the video link is at the end) Large box

Hmmm what could be in their. (nicely packaged)

Getting closer

Its out of the box and wrapped up in a blanket.

Here it is with the bag of tools, CD and Manual.

The fly wheel side

I got out early in the morning and fired the Cricket up for a test run on the layout. It ran great the first time. Once its broken in, jit will run even better. I just wish I had less snow so the buildings and lndscape shows in the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lrHVfvZuQQ&feature=youtu.be

#2

Shawn,

That is soooooooooo cute! With me being a track powered guy, how to you control one of these? Are they R/C or do you just throttle up and let it go? How do you stop it?

~Joe~
(Sparky)

#3

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/chat/emoticons/good.gif)

#4

I Like IT !
It would make for a nice shelf warmer conversation piece of art as it sits but you put it to work and from the video it looked like it could hold its own.
Nice…

#5

Very cool. Another one with great sound :slight_smile:

#6

What a nice locomotive. Amazing performance right out of the box!! You done good.

Tom

#7

Thanks guys. It sure is a little gem. I dont plan on doing anything to it. Its staying as is since there are not a common steamer on the market. Since Bellflower took over production last summer he has made 10 so far. I got number 10.

Joe its controled almost the same way as my backwoods steamer. It is not self starting, you have to flip the fly wheel to get it going. Once it goes, there is a throttle to control the speed. To reverse it you have to set the valve direction. To set it all you need to do is give the cricket a push backwards until the valve sets itself. Its a very basic system but a lot of fun and easy to operate. It is also gear driven so it can handle grades and heavier loads very well. The power of that single cyclinder is amazing.
You dont need R/C because it is geared. Just set the throttle, flip the fly wheel and off it goes. It chugs at nice speed. To stop, you just hold cricket for a second and it stops.

Todd as of now im storing it on my wifes hutch (not sure how long she will allow that lol). It does make for a nice conversation piece.

Im going to make some nice 4 wheeled car to go with it (logging disconnects, flat car, box car and caboose) Thats my winter project.

#8

I’d love to see some close-up pics of the drive mechanism. Sounds very neat indeed :slight_smile:

#9

Jon here are a few shots of the drive mechanism. If you want different angles let me know. Fly wheel

(http://i47.tinypic.com/34dlqtg.jpg)

Single acting cyclinder with the slip eccentrics

(http://i50.tinypic.com/2a97e49.jpg)

Gears (ratio is 1:5:79)

(http://i46.tinypic.com/2s7c7eb.jpg)

close up showing crank shaft

(http://i46.tinypic.com/207wzsm.jpg)

If you want more info about the Cricket and history http://www.sidestreetbannerworks.com/locos/loco72.BLW.html http://cricketlivesteammotor.com/

#10

That’s a nice simple system. Should give many years of good service. What is the fire source; Butane ?

#11
Jon Radder said:
That's a nice simple system. Should give many years of good service. What is the fire source; Butane ?
Jon its Butane. The cylinder piston is made of teflon. As long as its lubed it should last indefinitely. Im extremly happy with it. I really like small steames like that.