Tinplate live steam in O gauge

[emdmike]

I am in the process of making it possible to run one of the Corgi/Bassett Lowke live steam Moguls able to run on 031 Lionel track.  As built they need 072 or larger due to the large diameter pilot wheel and longer than original cylinders.  I have it running well as an 0-6-0 right now, whilst I source smaller pilot wheels and built a new pilot truck.   I lengthened the draw bar tab on the back of the cab and made it able to swivel at the locomotive end.  This set the tender back a bit further so it would not pinch in the curve.  I am pulling my 6 ACE Trains coal wagons with loads and a vintage Bassett Lowke brake van(caboose). Run time was close to 30min.  Enjoy!  

[pennytrains]

Looking good! 

[Flintlock76]

Oh so cool!  You've got it handling those 031 curves like it was made for them! 

Running time 30 minutes?  I'm assuming that's with a full boiler and fuel supply topped off?

[emdmike]

Yes, thats a full boiler of water, full tank of gas and the lubricator full of steam oil.  Hopefully I can souce some smaller diameter open spoke pilot wheels so she can be a 2-6-0 again.  Corgi tried to go more scale with large diameter pilot wheels and they hit the cylinders on anything less than 072, much like a Lionel scale Hudson.  I am looking at a couple different electric engines as a running mate.  One is a prewar LMS Compound with the 20v ac motor, so no issues running on a Lionel transformer.  But the Compound was a passenger engine, not mixed traffic.  Other option is a Corgi/BL LNER J39 0-6-0 that I will have to get a bridge rectifier to put in it or a different transformer as its a DC powered engine.  The Brits mostly use DC power for their 3 rail O gauge.  Newer engines sometimes have AC/DC ablity built in, but not the J39.  So we might have a passenger engine pulling some freight wagons, rule 8 applies here!(USA rule #1).  Need to get my vintage Lionel & Scale Craft OO stuff sold first.  Mike