cheapest steam locos

[corksean12]

i really want a live steam loco,but they are so expensive. whats the cheapest price i could get one for? also,if kits are cheaper, they would be really good. any scale or prototype would be fine, as i just want something to run around the bottom of my room. gas,coal or whatever form of power is fine.

thanks,

sean

[cabbage]

Well speaking as person who has built his own steam locomotive from a kit -there is very little to beat the humble Mamod AKA MSS as a first forey into steam!!!

http://www.pps-steam-models.co.uk/index.htm

regards

ralph

[underworld]

The Mamod looks great! I have a Mamod tractor and it's also a great product.

underworld

[kstrong]

Well speaking as person who has built his own steam locomotive from a kit -there is very little to beat the humble Mamod AKA MSS as a first forey into steam!!!

Mamod is one way to go (though mine ran so poorly it wouldn't fall if you dropped it), but you may also want to look at Acccucraft's Ruby kit as well. They can be found for around $300, and run quite well--if not a touch spritely--once built. If you go over to http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/ and search the Live Steam forum, you'll find plenty of tips and techniques for building these kits. There's an ongoing "class" of sorts with folks building Ruby kits into various locos. It's quite a versatile kit.

One of my Ruby kitbashes
Concept:


Unpainted Completion:


Painted:



I don't mean to denigrate the venerable Mamod--it's what I used to cut my teeth in live steam, and it taught me a lot. I've seen plenty run like swiss watches. Mine, however, must have been the back-alley knock-off.

Later,

K

[whiterab]

I agree with Kevin.

 One of the biggest advantage with building the Ruby is the amount of help you can recieve if you get stuck or confused.  It has been a very popular kit with lots of people building it as is and lots of people modifying it into different engines.

 About the only complaint I have heard is that is really likes flat track because of its wheel configuration.

Just one major warning.  Steam engines are like potato chips.  Can't have just one.  They are VERY addicting.

[vsmith]

Go for the Ruby, most definetly.

[K_Franklin]

I'm new to live steam, only been doing it for about 9 months now, but the Ruby kit is wonderful, and goes together great. It does help though if you aleady have a basic understanding of the engineering aspects such as timing and setting valves, cause if you have everything set just right it will out run nearlly anything. It is a touch uneasy with grades, but really it's no worse off then any other live steam engines (well except the shays cause they go so slow you can't tell if they're having trouble witht he grade! but their valving is great fun to watch!). I would definitly recommend the ruby kit, but when you buy it, buy that little valve (the name is out of my reach for the moment, but if you ask anybody they'd be able to tell you the name right away) that lets you top up the water with pressure up. The one complaint I have is how sensitive the steam valve is, so it tends to either be off, fast, or insanely fast. But that's all rather minior for such a smooth runner. It's given me no problems at all.

[Rastun]

<snip> I would definitly recommend the ruby kit, but when you buy it, buy that little valve (the name is out of my reach for the moment, but if you ask anybody they'd be able to tell you the name right away) that lets you top up the water with pressure up.<snip>

 

Goodall Valve would be what you are reffering too.

Jack 

[K_Franklin]

Thank you so much, I was thinking Gaston, no, Gabby, no..... lol bothered me all day!

[spikejones52002]

Aristo Craft has a Live Steam Engine that is the best for a dollar.

2-8-2 Mikado. It comes complete with eveything a beginner needs except steam oil. Shop around and you will find a bargain.

Even full price it s a good deal.

If you do not have steam oil. Do not attempt to fire up your engine. You will wreck you cylinders.

[Anonymous]

The big thing about a live steam loco is that, in most cases, you pretty much get what you pay for. Yes, Mamods and Rubies are inexpensive (I've had multiples of both), but (to use a car analogy) so were Yugos. IF you want to tinker till you get it right you can be fairly happy with these products....IF you want something that runs like a Swiss watch right out of the box, lasts both mechanically and holds resale value, and has great manufacturer support, then you'll need to save up your money a bit longer for something like a Roundhouse loco.

Properly taken care of, a quality live steamer will last a very long time.

[cabbage]

Yes -I have to admit that very little of the original Mamod remains as the kit was delivered to me!!! BUT that is due more to my desire to fiddle with the thing and just have fun while doing so. I bought my kit in 1984 and it still runs on the original boiler and wheels (at the moment).... I would never have DARED play around with something as lovely as any Roundhouse loco -but my Mamod was deemed suitable for Mamodifications!!!

regards

ralph

[underworld]

Ralph I like your Mamodifications! Great word.....may I borrow it?

underworld

[spikejones52002]

I have a Roundhouse Live steam.

It is $5000. collecting dust.

I attempted to get some techinal support.

All I could get is a Daisy chain people how might be able to help. The first I contacted is Round House. The dealer went out of business.

[Anonymous]

Kevin, that is a beautiful little Forney. Now if I can just find a way to make one like that on an electric version......

 

Vince  :)nb   bv  

[galaxy]

Aristo Craft has a Live Steam Engine that is the best for a dollar.

2-8-2 Mikado. It comes complete with eveything a beginner needs except steam oil. Shop around and you will find a bargain.

Even full price it s a good deal.

If you do not have steam oil. Do not attempt to fire up your engine. You will wreck you cylinders.

 

Yep.; I found it back ordered but wholesale at $1,500.00 I like mikes. my HO and Ns are wonderful. But for price I shall have to stick with the cheap rubys as I ease into garden live steam.

[galaxy]

Aristo Craft has a Live Steam Engine that is the best for a dollar.

2-8-2 Mikado. It comes complete with eveything a beginner needs except steam oil. Shop around and you will find a bargain.

Even full price it s a good deal.

If you do not have steam oil. Do not attempt to fire up your engine. You will wreck you cylinders.

 

Yep.; I found it back ordered but wholesale at $1,500.00 I like mikes. my HO and Ns are wonderful. But for price I shall have to stick with the cheap rubys as I ease into garden live steam.

[John Busby]

Hi spikejones

Have you contacted Roundhouse direct by email with your problem??

I Had problems with mine the result of the direct contact was problem fixed with no fuss or bother.

Would if I had the cash happily part with it for another Roundhouse loco

regards John

[Semper Vaporo]

If you want something really inexpensive (less than $100 or so, about a year ago) there are some "G" and "HO" sized "Locomotives" (that don't look much like Railroad locomotives) made by Lutz Heilscher.  They are Pyrex flask boilers heated by a candle to drive a single oscillator cylinder that is geared and belted to the drive wheels.

The are listed on the Quisenberry Station web site.(http://www.quisenberrystation.com/Lutz/mini_steam.asp)

In a phone conversation with the owner last year he said he had some in stock.  (I am still waiting for a return phone call from Royce to tell me the actual price so I can send him a check for 2 each of the G and HO sized ones, so don't hold your breath about service!)