Considering live steam

[PJM20]

Mamod locomotives ARE gas fired. Mamod locomotives can be put together with only a screw driver. Also, Dream Steam makes a higher pressure boiler with gas tank with a regulator:

http://www.dreamsteam.co.uk/mss-mamod-upgrade-parts/ceramic-gas-burner-set.html

Cost alot, yes, but it still ends up cheaper than a Ruby. Also Dream Steam has parts and upgrades for Mamod locomotives, a following the Ruby doesn't have.

[Schuylkill and Susquehanna]

Thanks for the tip about Mamod/MSS locmotives.

I'm hesitent to get a gas fired loco because of availability of fuel.  Can you get the butane from lighters?

Alternatively, could the "Ruby" be converted to burn alcohol instead of gas?

[Anonymous]

I cannot recommend to go for a Mamod/MSS kit. They are cheap in the double meaning of the word. Their alcohol burner imposes a tremendous hazard, does not work properly when there is a minimum of wind around, the heat supply cannot be controlled and a low speed performance is not existing.

Features you should look for in a live steam loco:

• screw driver assembly, disassembly
• gas burner with valve to control the flow of gas
• gas tank not too close to the boiler, otherwise topping it off may turn into a nightmare
• Excellent low speed performance, unless you use R/C to control the speed. You want to be able to catch up with your loco without being Usain Bolt

Here is a review of Accucraft´s Ruby

[Schuylkill and Susquehanna]

Thanks for the suggestions.  My buget is about $500 for the locomotive.

The "Konrad" looks good, but is too expensive.

I read up on the "Ruby", and I heard that you could fill the boiler all the way to resolve the "more gas than water" issue.  Aparently the Rubys are very durable.

The MSS locos look good, but shipping would be an issue (how much does it cost to ship 4 pound across the Atlantic?)

[Grims]

if I converted the pounds to dollars right thats about $274.00 thats not bad dont know what shipping would be.

[PJM20]

I would suggest Mamod/MSS kits, they are very easy to assemble, and there under $500. They come in two flavers, running either on 32mm track or 45mm. There are great products.

http://www.dreamsteam.co.uk/mss-mamod-live-steam-garden-railway-locomotives/side-tank-loco-kit.html

 

[Anonymous]

Assembling a live steam loco kit is quite a different story from assembling an HO scale loco. Don´t forget, you will work with fire, water and hot steam in a pressurized system, which you don´t want to blow up in your face. If you are completely new to live steam operation, I strongly recommend to go for a R-T-R model.

Regner of Germany makes some nice entry level live steamers, which are just pure fun to operate. Granted, they are a little pricier than the Accucraft Ruby kit, but you get a high quality piece of machinery and an excellent service with it.

Check this page:

Regner Live Steam R-T-R

[cacole]

Instead of a Ruby kit, have you considered their fully assembled "Mimi" that comes with a tender, if it's still available.  The Mimi is exactly the same as a Ruby except the add-on tender.

The biggest limitation to a Ruby is the short run time on a water and butane gas fill.

[Schuylkill and Susquehanna]

I model the PRR in HO scale, but lately i've been kicking around the idea of getting a G gauge live steam locomotive.  I took a look at was available, and I'm amazed at how much some of these locos cost!

I don't have access to a machine shop, and I don't have the required skills anyway (no need in HO scale).  I was looking for a cheap live steam loco that can pull a few cars.  I don't have any G gauge track or anything at all in G, I just want to run a live steam loco.

I was considering getting an 0-4-0 "Ruby" kit for a bit under $500.

I'm looking for a locomotive that is cheap, requires only "minor" assembly (no soldering, welding, etc), and can pull 1-4 cars.  I plan to use 4' diameter turns and sectional track.  I might handlay the track on plywood sections depending on cost.

I would consider making minor modifications to the kit, provided that it involved nothing too complex.  I can solder reasonably well, and I'm very handy with CA.  I also have some JB-Weld that I might be able to use.

Does anybody have any suggestions or tips for someone who wants to get into live steam?