Everyone knows how I have been toying with the idea of getting a live steam, well I finalley bit the bullet and got one (actually a birthday present from my wife). Today I should be the proud new owner of a live steam engine. After looking around, talking to guys in my club and seeing some in action I went with the Aristo Craft 0-4-0. Wholsesale had a price I could not turn down $499. Plus anything in that price range was not really for starters like the Ruby. A guy in my club has one so I had the oppertunity to see it. I like the idea it already comes with RC, it can handle grades pulling 2-3 cars, has the plastic body gives me the oppertunity to kitbash it somewhere down the road and from what club members said runs well out of the box. Whats nice one of our members lives down the road from me and all he does is live steam and even builds them from scratch. I have someone to help me get started if I run into a problem. The disadvantage is its 1:29 scale so wont fit into the logging theme (im sure I can turn it into something sometime down the road) but I really wanted it as something fun and different. It should arrive today cant wait to get started in it. Now have three options fro running trains - track power, battery and now live steam. Now i just need solar power and a wind up train and I should be set.
Those that have steam like tac what would you recomend me have on hand like a first aid kit/toolkit for live steam?
Another new member of the Brotherhood of Burnt Fingers. Welcome !!!
I’m not familiar at all with the Aristo 0-4-0. Jerry Bowers (I think) has had lots of experience with their Mikado. That being said, I’m not sure what you will need on hand for tools besides the basics. You will want to pick up a hobby oilier with a long needle point; a couple of gallons of distilled water from the supermarket, and some butane. The butane can be the hardest part. Some places you can get it at WalMart,. Around here I’ve had no luck. If you have an Asian market, they may have it. You can use the Ronson canisters for filling lighters, but it’s expensive. I ended up buying a case on-line at King Butane.
You’ll also need some steam oil. I think the Aristo engines come with a starter supply. It should come with the syringes you need for adding oil and water. One of the first accessories you are likely to want is a Goodall Valve for the water fill, and a water pump bottle. Those two items allow you to fill the water while the boiler is under pressure.
Looking forward to hearing all about it 
Buddy of mine has one and he sent it back to Aristo 2-3 times, guess it’s doing okay now. Last I heard.
Jerry Barnes said:I heard they had some issues all minor though. Guys in my club that have them have had no issues. No matter what you buy today someone will have issues and others not.
Buddy of mine has one and he sent it back to Aristo 2-3 times, guess it's doing okay now. Last I heard.