Large Scale Central

Contemplating Live Steam

Electronics Live Steam
#81

I"m not sure what you mean by a “correct” train since all the models you mention are freelanced, the Chaloner being closest to its namesake in my opinion. Chaloner worked from 1877 to 1955 in slate quarrys and mills, with numerous rebuildings of course, quite a service record. It has been magnificently restored and runs today at Leighton Buzzard. The beautiful book, “De Winton of Caernarfon”, tells the story.

I believe Mike is asking since he is trying to decide between a Sammie and Regner’s new Henry, which he has ordered. The pictures of Henry show it to look like a Willi chassis with logging type bodywork. The specs I’ve been able to find show Willi to be slightly smaller than Henry probably because of the wood body. The major difference is Willi’s boiler is listed as 130mm while Henry’s is 110 ml. Willi is listed as having a 20 min run time, I could not find that statistic for Henry.

My personal experience stems from a Willi I bashed for a Steam In The Garden contest in 2006 and with which I can easily achieve a 30 minute plus run time. I usually haul two Accucraft 4-wheel flats with wood loads or several LGB gable dump cars. I have not owned a Sammie but my late friend Don Sauer ran his frequently resulting in run times over 30 minutes as well. Sammie’s “secret” is under the saddle tank where the boiler markedly increases in diameter compared to the size of the smokebox.

Peter Thornton can probably chime in with his opinions on Chaloner. Dave Frediani’s Brunel (the only one I’ve seen) ran well at Diamondhead but I don’t know for how long.

On an early page of Mike’s thread on MLS I opined the he should get a Sammie. I stand behind that suggestion though I do love my Regners. I wish he’d make up his mind and get something so he can enjoy live steaming.

#82

I own both Willi and Chaloner, I can constantly get a 40 min run time on each, Have over 70 plus run times, The more you run the Regner easy line locos the better and longer the run.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#83

Well, there’s your answer.

tac

#84

If he wants to see a Sammie without the body. I have my new secondhand one in pieces. He also has every upgrade from Roundhouse. I highly recommend a Sammie over everything else. Between the build quality, copper vs a brass boiler and the long term support from Roundhouse make Sammie the best choice in my opinion. The Sammie that I got has the crosshead with combination lever upgrade, clip on cylinder covers, pressure gauge, water gauge, water top up valve and a Summerlands Chuffer. He also bought the Walschaerts valve gear kit that I am going to try to adapt to the model as soon as it arrives(coming in seperate package). These upgrades can be bought at anytime as train funds permit. But even in slip eccentric form, its one heck of a bargain for an engine. Has the standard Roundhouse slide valve cylinders over piston valve or oscillating cylinders. They just are not run in on steam for 12 hours that you get on a Classic model. So you get to do that as the new owner. Just more of an excuse to run trains! Here is a pic showing how much larger the actual boiler is under that saddle tank. The Sammie and Bertie are the same other than the cab, domes and buffer(pilot) beams. Mike

#85

Tom, Tac, Ron, & Mike, thanks for your support & replies, and thanks for the pic, Mike.

I am indecisive, and by my own fault. When I started the thread on MLS by the same title, 2 yrs ago, I should have made a purchase then, when engines were more available, or so it seemed. I’m just trying to get something within my budget, and research as best I can, to get the most out of my purchase.

With that said, I contacted Jason yesterday, and changed my order to a Sammie, with the chuffer, fine throttle adjustment, and a couple other odds & ends. While the Henry may be a fine engine to start with, and a way to learn the components by building it myself, new issue models have a tendency to have unforeseen problems, and since I am new to live steam, and anxious to get steaming, I didn’t want to create anymore stress for myself.

Several members here and on MLS have mentioned the durability of Roundhouse products, and the ease of operation for beginners, so I heeded those recommendations, just took me a while to comprehend.

Thanks again for all your input. Mike

#86

Any time, bud. You have to adjust your thinking to what constitutes a good reputation in the world of live steam models.

In a word, it’s reliability.

Roundhouse began making reliable models that anybody could operate well over thirty years ago, set the scene, set the standards, and have never wavered an iota from those goals. I know of a Roundhouse loco well over thirty years old, converted from alcohol to gas, that runs EVERY weekend. And I mean EVERY weekend, sunshine or rain. It’s used to show noobs just how easy it is to run a Roundhouse loco, with total success.

tac

Member of The Royal Automobile Club and former redhead.

#87

Excellent choice Mike! You will really like the Roundhouse quality, even in the basic series. Just make sure you flush the slip ecentrics and regrease very often if you run outdoors on a ground level line. We shall see how I fair on adapting Roundhouses Walschaerts valve gear to the engine here soon Here is a pic to help feed your mind for what simple mods you can do to Sammie. Added are smoke box hand rails, headlight from Accucraft, Bell from Accucraft. I plan to get more stanchions so I can put hand rails down the saddle tank and another one of those headlights for the cab roof for running in reverse. Then its off to Trackside details for some logging junk to hang on her. Decals for my loggging line are on thier way to decorate the saddle tank. I also have a replacement dome for covering the safety valve and new wood end beams coming from Roundhouse. The homemade ones do not fit well. How long did Jay say the wait would be for your Sammie? Cheers Mike

#88

Mike, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, can you take a pic of the cab side of the Sammie, and post it here, so I can see all the added accessories mounted. Jason said about a month.

#89

I will get a pic with the body/cab removed(its one piece). Only additions inside the cab are the pressure gauge, water sight glass and water top up valve(goodall valve). Outside he has the crosshead with slide bar and combination lever(really makes even the stock valve gear look better!), along with the clip on cylinder covers over the bare brass cylinders. I also used gun blue to blacken the unfinished steel drivers. Some paint them, but paint is prone to chipping in a derailment. Blackening isn’t going to do that. Yours will have dome over the safety valve when you get it. Mine was missing long before the gentlemen I got it from bought it(I think I am the 3rd owner). To remove the body, there is a single screw and nut at the rear, you have to remove the rear wood beam to get to the nut and you have to remove the gas jet holder from the burner to get the body off without bending things, just an FYI. Mike

#90

Thanks Mike, I was originally going to get the sight glass and goodall, but decided to hold back until I made another purchase for other accessories to dress it up, it also keeps me under budget without it at this time.

I don’t even want to think about the “D” word (derailment) for now. My Layout sits 2 ft above the ground which is covered by patio blocks. Over the next 4 weeks, weather permitting, I have to raise the shed side of my layout 4.5 inches to re-level it, as it has sunk over the last 2 years, and I want to install a guardrail of some sort, on the edges of the layout, to prevent an accident.

#91

Good idea Mike. There is a steam up in 2 weeks that I hope to make it to, held at a mall in Urbana IL on April 1st. I would have Sammie and my other engines there and you welcome to steam Sammie up to learn while you wait for yours. There will be many other engines there as well to see run. I will know for certain on if I will be there early next week, once my friend see’s if he has the $$ for gas to get us there. Mike

#92

Congrats Mike,

Sammie is a great choice!

#93

Spoke to Jason this morning, Sammie should be here in a couple days. After doing a little detail work, I should be steaming by next weekend.

#94

Awsome, did you get any upgrade items for him? Remember, basic series are not “run in” on steam by Roundhouse for 12 hours like the classic series are. So its up to you to do the honors. Steaming up on blocks or on a rolling road is an excellent way to make your first few runs. Sitting the engine on blocks on an old cookie sheet(to catch the oil/water dribbles) is my fav way to run in the engine, or to just steam up in the dead of winter when I need to get my live steam “fix”. Mike

#95

Mike I think you made a great choice by going with a Sammie and you wont regret it. At some point down the road I want to get another one. Cant wait to see you steam it.

#96

Here is my Super Sammie steaming around my new layout that I am building. Mike

#97

I picked up a Summerlands chuffer, the cylinder covers, and the fine taper throttle spindle, all of which I’ll need to install.

I’ve been watching Chris Bird’s series on YouTube on his Bertie, and Rex’s video on steaming up his (former) Sammie, and I’m sure if I have any questions, there are plenty of you experienced gentlemen that are willing to advise and assist.

#98

I think you will do fine Mike, btw, my Sammie used to be Rex’s. I will try to keep you in the loop for steam ups down my way, hopefully you can make one someday. Mike

#99

Sammie arrived today, and she looks cool in blue.

#100

Thats different, I like it! Kind of like a Bertie in a Sammie body. Cant wait for the pics of it steaming up! Congrats Mike!