G scale locomotives are so cool!

[gmcrail]

John, good review!  Only one thing:  That "throttle" you mentioned is actually the sander valve, and the forward "dome" is actually the sand box or sand dome.  In these engines, and in most smaller steam, the throttle is in the dome itself (the dome closest to the cab), and the controlling rod goes from the cab into the back of the boiler near the top and links to the valve in the dome.  The steam enters the "dry pipe" (which goes through the front flue sheet into the smokebox), then goes through the manifold (a "Y" shaped pipe) to the cylinder valve chests.

 

As a mention of my bona fides on the subject, one of my first jobs at the National Railroad Museum in 1972 was to crawl into the steam dome of a locomotive and lie down on the flue pipes, to guide the new dry pipe that was being installed up to the throttle valve and hold it in position while the boss bolted it into place.  Made me wonder if I'd ever get out again! (Fortunately, I was very skinny at the time! )  It was all worth it, though - I got to run the engine for the rest of the season!

 

[Southwest Chief]

Yes G scale is cool:

Here's a link to more photos of my G scale layout:

Snowshoe & San Juan Model Railroad

[narrow gauge nuclear]

Being into the narrow gauge, myself, I would love to have the room and cash to get such highly detailed loco's as this C-19.  I have seen a number of narrow gauge locos in G scale at the Timonium train shows.  They are fabulous to say the least.

G scale is a rich man's game though and the thought of $20 Plus for a section of straight track makes me shutter.  HOn3 still remains the number one narrow gauge scale for currently available variety of engines and rolling stock and so that is where I settled.  While still not cheap, it is well traveled and has tons of true scale, real locos and cars.

I always loved the RGS "sunrise" logo with the Seaboard and Atlantic Coast Line drum heads a close second.

 

[johngriffey18ca1]

This one has a lot of cool features!