Traded one of my "speed demon" live steamers to a friend that has a larger layout and part of the payment for was one of the brand new tram engine kits from Regner of Germany. These are screwdriver/nut runner kits with everything painted/soldered in the factory. A couple enjoyable evenings or a few hours of work yield a beautiful live steam model and by building it, you know how to take it apart when things need worked on. This is from Regner's "Easy Line" of geared models that even without RC control are docile beasts. The Paul tram has the twin cylinder steam plant used in the Lumberjack and Chaloner steam engines. The body work is beautiful and all metal. This model comes with all brackets to hold servos, receiver and battery pack to make this model fully RC. Including the optional whistle kit Regner sells as a add-on to this model. Only thing I have done was silver the insides of the lanterns and brass trim rings using Testors enamal paint. LGB did this exact same tram in electric drive back in the day. I can highly recommend this kit if your looking to add a "finger burner" to your stable of engines. If you like USA style. Look at the Lumberjack or the Heisler in the same series over at The Train Department site.
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Nice engine! And the speed is good even without RC.
Paul
All the geared Easy Line engines from Regner are like this, smooth and controlable. One of the best entry level live steam models on the market. From older models like Willi and Konrad on the used market. To the current models, USA styling Lumberjack and the Heisler, Euro with the Paul tram, UK with Challoner and freelance with Vincent the overtype with exposed chain drive. Jay over at The Train Department can fix any new live steamer up. The kits are fun to build, have no soldering to do and some models are available ready to run. When our club sets up at shows, I find that many newbies have zero clue where to buy or what to buy. Many end up with one of the entry level models from Accucraft that run super fast, if they run well as many need some adjustment to run well. A burning hot steamer is not fun to try to stop or deal with after a derailment. Not an issue with a small geared model that wide open is barely a fast walk. Hopefully some more of the sparkie guys will give live steam a try if they know models are out there that dont run like a jack rabbit and cannot be controled without RC.
Mike,
thanks for posting this! I am still sitting on the fence regarding live steam, but still may take the plunge someday. I am heavily invested in LGB, I understand the technology, and am quite comfortable with it.
But live steam is intriguing! Saving the best for last?
Paul, this tram would be the perfect match for your LGB unless you find one of the Frank S live steamers made for LGB by Aster. LGB actually did this same tram in their line up many years ago, just electric powered. The Regner "Paul" tram is the same scale as LGB trains as are most Regner steamers for the very reason of being able to fit in well with the LGB system. Even the wheels are electically isolated so it can run with electricaly powered trains. Most live steamers done have that option. Mike
We have the LGB version "Fiery Elias:"
"He" is a favorite that gets lots of run time. "He" was the first loco I bought with my own money. That was 1982!
I'll have to run "his" steam powered counterpart vicariously through you. Nice to know that if the stars align, this is a real option for our little road with its sharp curves!
Aloha,
Eric
Looks great Eric! Is there room inside the body on the other side from the engineer that I could hide a battery pack? I was thinking about getting one of the LGB ones but need to convert it to battery power as my layout is dead rail. Mike
I have one of the LGB red trolley trailer car that I put a Playmobile drive(similar to LGB) and its a challenge to battery it. For now the battery just lays inside between the people. With the size of the motor block, there isnt much space for anything else in a trolley or a tram. I hate having dedicated battery cars and wiring running to the locomotive. So I try to hide them inside the locomotive. All part of the challenge of running dead rail. If I could afford to have nothing but live steam, I would, but that gets expensive very fast. Mike the Aspie
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