Live steam: a hopeless quest?

[FJ and G]

I just read an ad, believe it is a full-page Hornby ad in MR magazine, regarding a live steam locomotive in HO scale. I think it works off a condensor heating steam; no volitiles so no bad fumes or flammables so would be perfect for indoors, and betcha lots of 3-rail folks would be interested.

I picked up the latest Garden RR mag and noted the Ruby live steam goes for around $250 to $350 depending if you want to have the kit or RTR. It doesn't pull too many cars but is wildly popular. And, some are kitbashing it into their favorite style locomotive, dressing it up a bit.

If one combines remote with live steam, you could even (if you so desire) remove the center rail (sacriledge!) and then your track would look like American Flyer tubular or something akin to that. Of course the 3rd rail serves other useful purposes like lighting the coaches etc.

Anyway, I think it's about time that someone look into this idea and stop speculating that no one will buy. I think the allure would be too irresistible and in this case, the adage, "Build it and they will come" would probably ring true.

[cnw1995]

Hopeless? Did you say hopeless? Nothing is over uh hopeless until we decide it is! Oops - channelling John Belushi...I have seen some custom-built O size live steamers from over the pond. I'd love one. Electricity be darned.

[lionelsoni]

See

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=40635

[cnw1995]

See also http://www.collectorcafe.com/article_archive.asp?article=450&id=1293

[Anonymous]

I was once involved with small scale live steam (which is what we call the Large Scale ("G") stuff to differentiate it from the larger ride-aboard live steam that is popular in some circles), and owned a couple of the Accucraft "Ruby" locomotives as well as several more costly Roundhouse models (they were equipped with radio control). I really enjoyed playing with those trains, and only gave them up when I moved into an apartment. Chances are good that I'll get back into that fun-filled niche once I again have another house with a garden-railroad.

But even though I know that live steam exists in O and even smaller gauges, the Large Scale stuff is about as small as I would want to go. I doubt that I could read the gauges in anything much smaller, and operating live steam indoors just does not appeal to me.

[cnw1995]

I know what you mean, Allan. I have seen the Ruby engines reviewed in the British modeling magazines I get. I would love to run one of them outdoors during winter - to 'see' the steam better.

[daan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cnw1995

I know what you mean, Allan. I have seen the Ruby engines reviewed in the British modeling magazines I get. I would love to run one of them outdoors during winter - to 'see' the steam better.

I don't want to spoil any pleasure, but those machines lack weight.. The weight is needed for heating up and stay warm when running outside. Those 0 gauge engines are simply to small to work properly outside. A little wind and the engine cools off too much stopping because of a lack of steam..
If running the small Mamod steamers, they don't have any lubricatoin and that should be added before you go running with them.

[Anonymous]

It just so happens that only yesterday I ran live steam on my indoor layout. An old fashioned oscillaltng twin cylinder locomotive with drive on rear wheels as was often done a hundred years (& more) ago. Rather odd looking I admit but somehow a train pulled by the magic of real steam has something that a steam shape loco with an electric motor hidden inside just lacks - in my opinion. Sure, electricity is practical, and I use it myself of course (& clockwork too), but the occasional run with real steam power, even if in simplest form, has a charm!

[Anonymous]

It just so happens that only yesterday I ran live steam on my indoor layout. An old fashioned oscillating twin cylinder locomotive with drive on rear wheels as was often done a hundred years (& more) ago. Rather odd looking I admit but somehow a train pulled by the magic of real steam has something that a steam shape loco with an electric motor hidden inside just lacks - in my opinion. Sure, electricity is practical, and I use it myself of course (& clockwork too), but the occasional run with real steam power, even if in simplest form, has a charm!

[wrmcclellan]

Just watch out for those boiler explosions [:O]. Now I would have a valid reason for the loco to be lying 100 scale feet from the track!