Running my new Climax locomotive, along with 4 short logging cars from Accucraft, early Christmas present to myself. Geared engines suit my line and keep my anxiety down as they are slow, so no high speed derailments on curves that are nearly 5 foot off the ground in places. I went down to one g scale live steamer, sold my others so I could afford one really nice logging engine and a few cars. Engine was made by the late Mike Chaney in the UK for Catatonk Locomotive Works that was run by the late Ron Brown(editor/owner of Steam in the Garden magazine). They also had Mr Chaney produce a 24 ton Shay and a baby Heisler. All had proper full Stephenson valve gear, gas firing, axle and hand pumps. Basicly a fully outfitted deluxe model compared to many others of the same style on the market. This one had sat for awhile, so a few perished O rings needed replaced, gas jet needed cleaned ect. Beautiful model, now if I can just figure out how to get into the headlight to light it up as its not made to be taken apart easilly. Enjoy the video and pics.
Crew is inspecting and firing up the new steed
View from the rear
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Fantastic!
Paul
Mike,
I see how you roll: you sell some trains to buy some trains.Me, I never learned that lesson: I've got a house full of trans in every scale except Z.....
right now, not buying anything, saving my Pennie's for a loop of LGB R5, 1800 track ,and a new transformer, 5 amps should be sufficient.
I'm just not a rail bending type of guy....
@Mike, Awesome Christmas present to yourself! Given the care you put into your old iron horses, I am sure their new owners have wonderful new motive power, too.
@Paul, yes, I understand the dilemna. As soon as a train enter the house, it becomes a "holy relic" that must be preserved!
Correct, I do rehab my old iron horses as that is one of my main enjoyments in the hobby no matter what the scale/gauge is. Started years ago as the repair tech for a nearby Lionel shop that delt in mostly vintage trains. I still do the same for vintage brass for a shop in Indianapolis when a piece comes in that needs work as their main tech that is local to that shop wont touch brass trains. I have slowly worked my way up to where I could afford to sell off enough to get the logging engine I wanted and it finally all worked out at the right moment. I wanted one of these since I saw the ad for it back in the early 2000's. Only 49 of these Climaxes were made and will never be made again. I wanted proper Stephenson valve gear, not the simulated valve gear of the Accucraft one. The gearing is higher on this one, so the speed is more realistic. Its also a "baby" in the world of class B Climax locos at 14 tons. So it looks perfect with only 3 or 4 log cars. I took a page out of the UK 16mm garden railroading style, less=better. With the super high costs of things in the UK, those gentlemen and ladies dont have fleets of engines and lots of rolling stock. Many lines are just 1 or 2 engine operations, with just a few cars(mostly slate or peat cars over there). The rest of the focus is on the railway and various scenes along the line. The line has a purpose and avoids the "shot gun" effect of buying anything of interest to the modeler. This is the way my garden line is going to be. I will add a spur to a logging camp were the logs will be loaded and further develope the town on the main loop. Mike
Yes, the UK approach has been eye-opening. The same approach could apply to small yards here, with a focus on an industry. It is sort of the direction I am taking, and, yes, it does help keep costs in line!
Eric
Yes, it definatly helps keep one in focus and not buying everything we dont need. Here is a new video of my New Years Eve steaming. This time with my full crew onboard, working LED headlight(but not turned on in this video).
you've shown many great live steamers over the years,
but ( wait for it)...
I think this one's the Climax.....
all kidding aside, fantastic engine, looks like fun!
Thanks Paul, I do really like this one, and for once, this one will stick around awhile. The others were fun and I enjoyed them, I miss my Aster Climax, but it was an early model and very tempermental to run in many aspects. This one is more like a Roundhouse engine with typical UK "overbuilt" quality. its very heavy, trucks are brass castings instead of metal of some sort(an issue with the Aster Climax) With the drive shaft down the center line, it manages curves better than a Shay would. Mike
Swiss-Colorado-Lines I think this one's the Climax.....
Ouch...
She has gone to a new home with one of our steam group members, replaced by a coal fired locomotive kit I am building.
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