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Live steam?

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  • Member since
    April 2003
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Live steam?
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2003 5:25 PM
Does anybody know if live steam locomotives are available in HO? I have seen live steam in O, but have only heard rumors of it in HO. Any tips you could give me would be most appreciated. And, while you're here, would you mind seeing if you couldn't answer some of my other inquiries?[:)] They are:
1.) "Wheel Base Measurements" on both the Prototype Information Model Railroad forum and the Classic Trains forum,
2.) "I need some advice" on the Model Railroader forum (this one is somewhat burried, so it would probably be quicker to click on my user name, where you will find a link to it) and,
3.) "Union Pacific Beaver Tail Cars???" on the Classic Trains forum.

Sorry that I haven't figured out how to use the hyperlink [:(],
Daniel
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2003 5:42 PM
Hornby in the U.K have just produced an A.4. class ex LNER streamlined In "0" gauge VERY good detail and works a dream so I.ve read. email me if you need more detailsor call 00441843233525 Radoi controlled
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2003 6:15 PM
well the Lionel Challenger is Smoke ready (as in you can put a smoke generator in), Bachmann's got a couiple of smokers.

There seems to be quite a few smoke equiped engines showing up in HO lately.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philadelphia
  • 440 posts
Posted by michaelstevens on Thursday, November 20, 2003 7:10 PM
Hey Mr. "DURHAM 367" -- I've seen ads (e.g. in the "Railway Magazine") for a Hornby "OO" (HO in the US) gauge live steam A4 Pacific.
Hey Daniel -- if you can't "run it to ground" on the "internet", from this info -- come back -- andI'll look it up, give you more info etc.
British Mike in Philly
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Thursday, November 20, 2003 7:47 PM
actually, OO isn't quite the same as HO (4mm to the foot instead of 3.5mm), but, as I recall, it runs on the same gauge of track, so it's close.

http://www.hornbyrailways.com/pages/livestm_live.aspx

has some details...looks interesting. It won't run on a standard layout (it needs its own special voltage for the heating unit) but it's certainly unique..

Pricey, though--500 pounds! I'd expect an import version in the US to cost about $1000.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: indiana
  • 792 posts
Posted by joseph2 on Thursday, November 20, 2003 10:38 PM
Two years ago there was a news article in MR about live steam HO locomotives made by Schmeisser.I saw the website,they look European,didn't tell the price. I wonder if that is the same Schmeisser that built machine guns back in WWII ?
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 21, 2003 3:33 AM
Go to www.hornbyrailways.com/pages/livestm_live.aspx and you will find information about Hornby's new steam locomotive for HO/OO gauge rail tracks (16.5mm) . OO scale is 4mm to the foot and is the standard for British outline rolling stock in the UK. Although fractionally larger than the HO standard in scale, the smaller loading height means that the vehicles do not look too out of place when side by side with American stock. They run on standard 16.5mm track - although Hornby couplings are hideous looking!
The steam locomotive needs a dedicated track as it uses a slightly higher voltage to heat the water in its boiler - 14 volts? The loc is not compatible with DCC either. Could be great for a garden railroad, though!
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 21, 2003 7:21 AM
The hornby engine uses 17Volts. It uses a proprietary DCC system to run the loco but if you look at the picture it seems that it has more controls than just a throttle and a direction switch. It might be the first steam loco simulator! Where you hsve to juggle the throttle, regulator and power reverse to get the most efficient use of steam. Now that would be fun in mountain country!

Neil
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Friday, November 21, 2003 10:34 PM
The word is that there will be VERY limited production this year. Our major importer in the Toronto area said that his allocation was ONE.
The initial lcomotive is Mallard (world steam speed record holder), but there are rumours that the next batches will include Dwight D Eisenhauer for those of you modelling Minnesota.

--David

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 7:28 AM
Hi Micheal stevens yes My mistake It was late evening and I put "0" instead of "00" Don't know if I was tired or it was the Single Malt.
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 7:31 AM
The Hornby "00" A4 gets it power from heating via the track so will not ron on normal track
  • Member since
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  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Tuesday, November 25, 2003 11:07 PM
I talked to my dealer again last weekend. The North American production is going to come after the U.K. production because the electric supply is different. The U.K. production is hoped for by Christmas.
The December issue of Railway Modeller arrived yesterday and they have a CD with video of the new locos. They seem to be running on the regular sectional track radii (the wider ones). The controller has 2 handles -- one is for cutoff (forward/reverse gear) and the other is ? voltage for steam pressure? whistle?

--David

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