I'm new so I may in the wrong area but does anyone know about

[Anonymous]

The company "Little Engines"?  I've become interested in building a live steamer in 7.5" guage.  What I'm going to try to do in sections is build an 0-4-0.  Anyone familiar with the degree of difficulity?  Since I haven't won the lottery I plan to do this over time because of money.  I plan on purchasing the "sections" or portions of the kit already machined.  Am I going to be facing a nightmare not being a master machinist?  Thanks for any help!

[JamesP]

With a machined kit, the degree of difficult really depends on your familiarity with steam locomotive construction in general and your mechanical and technical ability.  If you are pretty familiar with how steam locomotives work, are able to read blueprints and follow technical instructions well, this will not be extremely difficult although be forewarned it can be a long process.  The intricate machine work is already complete, although I am not sure how finished the LE kits are.  Sometimes there may be holes to drill and tap, sometimes not - Little Engines will fill you in on the details if you ask.  You may have some silver soldering to do when it comes time to plumb the engine.  I would recommend that you find someone with live steam experience to mentor you through your first engine, but I wholeheartedly encourage you to follow through with this and just keep plugging away at it!  I have a 12" gauge 4-4-0 that I rebuilt (and another on the workstand in progress).  Let me tell you, there is nothing like pulling the throttle on an engine that you have so much of your time and effort invested in... it is worth every penny and every minute it takes.

[two tone]

I do not know a lot about live steam, but the last thing to buy is the boiler as you know the tank needs to be pressure tested and all joints checked.  ALWAYS remember HOT water can kill or badly disfiger any body.  Good luck with the project

[EMPIRE II LINE]

  Let me tell you, there is nothing like pulling the throttle on an engine that you have so much of your time and effort invested in... it is worth every penny and every minute it takes.

Yes that is very true, 

There is nothing like pulling the throttle on a live steam engine. For that matter, If I might add here, whether you've personally built it or not. I had the occasion, for about a year, part time, to operate a 1928, 3 foot gauge, 0-4-0 Porter engine, on 70 pound rail, at Mr. Bob Scheuster's, Original, Orlando, FL, Toytrain Museum.

I use to really luv to enrich the boiler and put out clouds of smoke, or on a Crisp fall day, see the thick steam pour out all around.....And the sounds they make---it's like something that's Alive.

SO As already WARNED---Be VERY CAREFUL !!!! With steam though.....

Byron

PS: Had the occasion to operate Disney's Monorail system for about 9 months back in early 1972 also, soon after they had opened in early October of 1971. 

[cabbage]

I don't know if this is any use (?) I have seen several of the kits made by this company assembled in back garden sheds. Most of them are I admit made by mechanically literate people...

http://www.maxitrak.co.uk/

regards

ralph

[cprted]

While I haven't built a LE kit myself, folks that I know that have built one have been happy with them. The machined kits should be fairly straightforward, though a little more involved than just bolt together (as someone else mentioned, drilling/tapping a few holes etc). See if you can find a live steam club in your area. Chances are they'll have shop nights where everyone brings in their projects to help/talk/bs. Always a lot of fun. www.livesteaming.com as a list of most clubs in North America.

Happy Steaming!