Large Scale Central

I feel the need, the need for steam

Electronics Live Steam
#1

A recent windfall with numerous eBay sales of older, mint early-1970’s LGB locomotives/rolling stock has left me a little flushed with cash. I have always wanted to venture on the dark side, but am apprehensive as to oil deposits on the trackside. I have a railroad totally obscured by trees that drop everything onto the rail, from pine needles to branches. I am concerned that the mix of oil and fallen vegetation could make the occasional cleanup difficult.

Since childhood I have had a ‘dream’ of owning a steam locomotive. Am I overplaying the oil residue issue? It seems that all the locomotives I really like are now discontinued, or a decent wait for delivery. One item currently considering, due immediate availability, is the Accucraft Caradoc. I want a simple locomotive to learn on, but still achieve the feeling of live steaming. Reports on the defunct MAD forum site were very encouraging, however, after purchasing several electric RGS Galloping Geese, I am not enamoured with the supposed museum quality of construction and finish of the three items that I have purchased and concerned the quality issues may extend across the range.

Another alternative that is available, is the Roundhouse Billy or Lady Anne in kit form. Construction is not a problem, although I am a little apprehensive painting a live steam locomotive as regards withstanding heat issues and type of paint required. Is a heat-resistant brass etch primer available?

Any advice welcome.

#2

Tim,
You might get a subscription to Steam in the Garden Magazine for a start. There are some good buys right now on the Accucraft 0-6-0 for $995. The Regner engines are a good starting point, they even have a shay that was just reviewed in the current issue of SitG. They have kits and ready to run. Someone had a writeup on it online, not sure which forum. Roundhouse locos are always a good choice, if you like the English look. Some Roundhouses can be bought in kit form, so it spreads out the cost some. Do the Chassis, then the boiler, then the body shell. You can use regular paint on most of the locomotive surfaces. Might look at their web site. Any local steamers in your area? That is a good way to start.

#3

Tim, following on from what Jerry has written - over on mls our old pal Llyn Rice has put a great-looking home-built US-style brass superstructure on a ‘Lady Anne’ chassis - it looks remarkably like ‘Puffing Billy’ over above Melbourne!

On the other paw - building a set of parts from Roundhouse is a great way to introduce yourself to live steam by building a loco that runs in spite of the mistakes you might make!

Whinemeal, Gordon Watson at Argyle Locomotive Works is one of the nicest guys you could wish to meet and helpish to a fault - a call to him asking for ideas would not be time wasted IMO.

As for painting a live steamer, apart from the initial etch primer, ordinary rattle cans are quite good enough, providing you take the time to bake them on in a stove…there are many articles in the British magazine ‘Garden Rail’ that have covered this aspect over the years.

If you REALLY want a British outline loco that lives up to your expectations, then the new AccuCraft ‘Earl/countess’ will not disappoint - every one I’ve seen so far, including two taken right out of the packaging in front of my eyes, has been a star performer - i hope mine is too, when it arrives in December.

Best

tac
www.ovgrs.org

#4

Terry and Jerry,
thankyou for the comments. I will do some more research.