Live Steam Scratch/Kit Building

[bigswede073]

 THNX Kevin,

I have been looking at the Ruby.

Don

[kstrong]

If you don't mind spending a bit more money (c. $1,000), Roundhouse Engineering sells boiler and chassis kits that give you just that--a basic butane-fired boiler and chassis (either 4-wheeled or 6-wheeled). The boiler is already soldered and tested for you, but you get to assemble everything else. Roundhouse is really the gold standard in terms of smooth operation and reliability in small scale live steam, so you really can't go wrong.

Here's a photo of a loco that I built up from such a kit.

If you're looking for something a bit cheaper, you can buy an Accucraft "Ruby." It's a fairly simple butane-fired 0-4-0 that's got tons of potential. It used to be available in kit form, but that was a short-lived endeavor on Accucraft's part for a number of reasons. Still, you can get the built-up version for around $500, and strip it down to its basic components fairly quickly. I've kitbashed two.

Here's a link to a builder's log of one of them: http://archive.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=21420

And to another, though a bit less detailed in terms of photos. http://home.comcast.net/~kcstrong/trr/Motivepower/TRR1-1.html

So, you've got plenty of options for using commercial parts to build something unique, without the need for specialized tools.

Later,

K

[cabbage]

 Well I have copies of plans of the Dacre and Edward Thomas locomotives. These are 16mm scale. Beware that the plans are rather large in file size . But just ask and they are there.

 This is Dacre

 

This is Edward Thomas 

 

regards

ralph 

[bigswede073]

 Rene,

THNX for the link.  This one will have to wait - I don't have a lathe - at this time.

Don

[Rene Schweitzer]

 Here's some info on that project: http://sidestreet.info/locos/loco19.html

[bigswede073]

 I am interested in beginning the large scale (45 mm track) live steam journey.  I have found a lot of info about the BAGRS Project loco.  I have found a reference to a "Denver Project Loco", but can find no further info.  Does anyone have info about this loco project and/or links to it?  Are there any other simple live steam entry level kits that you might recommend?

THNX

Don Munsey Jr