Accucraft Bogie in the flesh and under steam

[stevedenver]

well this weekend at the rather disappointing (actually abysmal) Great Train Expo here in Denver, I saw the Accucraft Bogie under steam

cab is nicely arranged -has large fuel tank and water pump (for goodall) in tender-apparently good access with the entire roof hinging sideways for access

a beautiful engine indeed-an early version with Mason fancy livery and no rock protectors on the pilot (an DSP and P feature on later locos)

engine ran in a well behaved manner, smoothly and under control -almost no chuff whatsoever

and

while this WAS a demonstrator prototype which has traveled and been circulated and used

i noticed that the steam chests were leaking a bit-after being tightened and attended to

and

noticed -but did not confirm-that it appears steam is delivered to the cylinders via a clear plastic tube under the chassis between the bottom of the stack and the cylinder cross assembly-allowing the driver block to pivot-is this possible???

i am wondering about the long term running characteristics of this offering

price $2500 US

electric versions all sold out-some LS remaining

'twas a a thing of beauty without qualification-
a bit large for LGB coaches however

 

[peterbunce]

<p><font size="3">Hi Steve,</font></p><p><font size="3">Sorry to hear that the denver show wasn't much good. Hrere is a photo of the loco for members to see</font></p><p><img alt="Mason Bogie" src="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Peter/Desktop/lemax%20etc/mason.jpg" border="0" /></p><p> </p><p><font size="3">You say it has not got the rock protecters: it has in this shot - I wonder if Accucraft have taken them off?</font></p><font size="3" /><font size="3"><p> </p></font>

 

[stevedenver]

well either i failed to see them -always a possibility as i was a bleery-a bit hungover from previous night's book club and Indian food bash at my house
or
they had been broken or not there

 

[wpandyr]

One can use good quality flexible tube for steam feed on articulated engines ok, For added security I usually add a light S Steel spring around the outside of the tube as per the Accucraft gas pipe on their tender gas tank engines.

 

[Curlew]

My Roundhouse Formey has flexible steam pipes. Apart from the need to tighten the connection every now and again they have not been a problem. I suppose the Single Fairlie has something similar.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Mmm while you have to admire the model, the Mason Bogies and the Forneys have never ben locos to inspire me.

Not sure why, maybe it was an early experience with a 4mm kit built 0-4-4, but the balance just doesn't quite seem right

 

[Charles M]

In response to questions on the Mason Bogie " San Juan" . Delicate model --- No , weight just over 14 lbs. Very solid construction. Brass and stainless steel used . Stainless steel driver rims . Small boiler, no problem , water bath in the tender with hand pump. Run times from 45 to 65 minutes on one fill of gas , water and oil. ( From Accucraft rep running it himself. ) 2 silicon tubes on the left side behind the smokebox provide the flexible connection between the power boge and locomotive. The tubes are about 2 inches long, not exposed to open flame at any point. A beautiful model that runs very nicely according to the Accucraft rep .
Charles M

 

[stevedenver]

anyone have a pic with lgb coaches