Large Scale Central

Help with Live Steam

Electronics Live Steam
#1

Let me start this by saying that I like live steam, but do not plan on getting away from running primarily with battery power. However, I really like the thought of being able to run an acutal live steam locomotive. So, I plan on getting one to run when I feel like it.

Since purchasing a live steam loco requires a large sum of money, I’m not going to go halfway here. I will only being buying one. So I’m going to get what I want. I have nothing against the Ruby and other low cost Live Steam locos, but I dont want one.

I really would like a K-28. The problem is the only ones available on the market are the coal fired ones. I’d really like to have that feature, but I understand that a part time steamer might have a difficult time running one. If I’m wrong here than I would prefer to have a coal fired one. To me it makes it all that more unique and like running a real locomotive.

There is also the C-25. It is Butane fired, which I think is easier to run. However, I have quite a few C-class locomotives on my roster and would like a different class of locomotive.

I’m not sold on the K-37 yet. It is a little outside the timeline I’m modeling (early 1920s). I would probably be more favorable to this one over the C-25.

Also, I will be installing R/C on my loco. I can not run alongside my loco on my layout and I dont want to do it. I have not heard if R/C is not possible with coal fired, but I wouldn’t think so.

So, I guess I’m asking for some advice. I’m not ready to buy my locomotive now, but in the next 6 months or so. I’m right now trying to get some info from the experts (you guys) so I can make a good descision.

#2

Jake,

How about these…

There are six versions that are butane fired.

#3

Some thoughts since you are interested in the 20s, There are usually some K28 , K27 and C21 used on the market. I know of a couple K27s and C21 available. K28 none that I know of but they do come up time to time.

Since you want a DRG you are some what limited to new in stock things, though one new project Im looking into is the 060 Tank that was the yard engine on the DRG.

#4

Haha you say only one live steamer now but wait till you get your first one. Then you will want another and then another lol. Wish could help you out on the larger steamers but I only run the smaller and more affordable ones for now.

#5

Coal firing is an aquired art form, few are real good at it at first. It also requires more work post steaming such as sweeping the flues and cleaning out the ash from the smoke box. Gas fired you just need to wipe it down. I also run smaller engines, waiting on a roundhouse Lady Anne kit as I type this. Its to bad you dont run eastern narrow gauge, Roundhouse makes a stunning Sandy River 2-6-2 that runs as good as it looks. I personaly frown on engines made in the PRC by the lowest bidder. But thats just me. But for DRG narrow gauge, Accucraft is about the only game in town. Whatever you get, you wont be satisfied with just one. Live steam is a sickness and its not curable. I used to run track power/battery, now nothing but live steam will do. The atomsphere, aromas and rising steam takes you there without even opening your eyes. Live steam makes the railway come alive. Make sure you get a Summerlands Chuffer pipe for whatever model you choose unless you go coal fired. They make a huge differance in the realism of the cylinder chuff to your ears. RC is manditory unless your line is dead level flat or ground level. Or you like chasing trains bent over. Good luck in your selection. Mike

#6

While agreeing with Mike above in the most part, I disagree with his comment about Chinese-made locos. Without the Accucraft company, here in yUK and over in the USA, there would not be 450 NG fans out there, me included, running a HUGE narrow-gauge Beyer-Garratt loco, let alone a Gauge 1 CPR Hudson that Aster turned up their noses at. My Shay - now ten years old - has been a marvel since day 1, as has my Countess - all can be seen in action on Youtube, as many of you know.

And in answer to the OP’s question, no, it is not possible to operate a coal-fired locomotive by radio control.

tac, ig, ken the GFT & The AccurCraft Fan-club Boys

#7

" Make sure you get a Summerlands Chuffer pipe for whatever model you choose unless you go coal fired. "

I am not sure that one can retrofit a Chuffer on to the exhaust nozzle of an alcohol fired boiler." While the Chuffer certainly adds to the live steam experience, an alcohol/coal fired locomotive requires a certain precise draft via a particular measure exhaust nozzle both in height and nozzle opening. The height and design of that nozzle would not allow for a Chuffer as far as I can determine.

As to coal firing, One can get such an equipped locomotive up to steam using coal in the same time as any other fuel (here is a link to a guide we did on coal firing):

http://youtu.be/mGxwlnE7BUI

#8

Jake Smith said:

. . . .

I really would like a K-28. The problem is the only ones available on the market are the coal fired ones.

Jake,

I’m sure if you wait a few months and keep your eyes open someone will be seilling a K-28 (or a K-27) that is butane fired. They do change hands occasionally. Accucraft have been known to run a new batch of a popular loco - ask them if they are thinking of the K-28.

#9

Thanks guys for the info. Since I’m not in a hurry I’ll probably keep my eyes on a Butane fired K-28.

Ha ha to Shawn, your probably right. It all starts with just one!!!

#10

Seems that alcohol fired locomotives don’t have good stack talk(if any). This comes from videos I’ve seen, never seen an alcohol fired in person.

#11

Jerry - have a listen to my old alcohol-fired Aster BR01 from about 1:40 and make up your own mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHwjdPaJ6wg&feature=player_embedded

tac, ig, ken the GFT & The Asteroid Boys

#12

Charles Bednarik said:

" Make sure you get a Summerlands Chuffer pipe for whatever model you choose unless you go coal fired. "

I am not sure that one can retrofit a Chuffer on to the exhaust nozzle of an alcohol fired boiler." While the Chuffer certainly adds to the live steam experience, an alcohol/coal fired locomotive requires a certain precise draft via a particular measure exhaust nozzle both in height and nozzle opening. The height and design of that nozzle would not allow for a Chuffer as far as I can determine.

Well, Chris Bird, the inventor of the Chuffer, was quite adamant - there is no doubt about it, you CANNOT fit any kind of a chuffer to a coal-fired locomotive for precisely the reasons you note.

tac

#13

Mike Toney said:

Coal firing is an aquired art form,

I know and you guys are slowly sucking me in …

#14

Jerry,

Or listen to my Duchess of Sutherland on start-up…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GyqDvvx05E

#15

Jerry Barnes said:

Seems that alcohol fired locomotives don’t have good stack talk(if any). This comes from videos I’ve seen, never seen an alcohol fired in person.

This past weekend my friend Dan ran his CP Hudson built by Accucraft and yes it does have a nice chuff. Straight pipe and Alcohol fired. He calls it a boring engine cause it run without any attention to throttle, blower, bypass once you know your engine. He just adds water to the tender. After about 40mins he shut it down. Some photos from this weekend to come.

#16

Pete Thornton said:

Jake Smith said:

. . . .

I really would like a K-28. The problem is the only ones available on the market are the coal fired ones.

Jake,

I’m sure if you wait a few months and keep your eyes open someone will be seilling a K-28 (or a K-27) that is butane fired. They do change hands occasionally. Accucraft have been known to run a new batch of a popular loco - ask them if they are thinking of the K-28.

Pete - The K28s were in stock up to the months before the K28 coal fired option being released. I doubt it will be made again. Remember they had made 2 runs of the K28 already

#17

One of the best sounds of a gauge one live steam engine working can be heard in the first couple of minutes in this video (coal fired also):

http://youtu.be/tjVB3Y4DgeA

#18

Charles Bednarik said:

One of the best sounds of a gauge one live steam engine working can be heard in the first couple of minutes in this video (coal fired also):

http://youtu.be/tjVB3Y4DgeA

That does sound sweett, especially when at a slow speed.

#19

Okay, I stand corrected! I wonder that on most videos I’ve seen they are on an temporary elevated track and that noise covers up the chuff?

#20

Some engines just dont have much stack talk, most Roundhouse are that way prior to fitting a chuff pipe. I was watching youtube videos prior to ordering my Lady Anne kit and was watching a RH Fowler running, actualy 2 different ones, one had a Summerlands Chuffer and one didnt. About the only time you could hear the chuff on the Fowler without the pipe, was at start up, after that, rail/wheel noise covered up the very soft chuff. This was on a ground level line. Then he ran a Fowler with one of the Chuff pipes fitted, you could hear it thoughout the whole video, with the sound fading in and out as the engine came and disappeared from view. Chris bringing a proper tuned chuff pipe to the masses has to be one of the best things to happen to small scale live steam other than factory coal firing. I still think we need to see a more entry level coal fired engine, both size and price wise. Like a factory coal fired Ruby or Coal Fired Emma ect. I think Jay is working on conversions for them, along with the Lady Anne, but price will dictate whether I can ever afford a coal fired engine, which is at the top of my bucket list. Most garden railways around me cant handle a K28 or other large radius engine. Most folks l know have LGB R1 and R2 curves with the tighter R1 being more common. Mike