Starter Loco - Live Steam Novice.

N

newboydave

G scale trains - no surprise there then!</br></br>
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Help!!!!!
I am about to make the quantum leak to "Live Steam' and operating on a limited budget (don't we all), I would appreciate any advice on what models (s) I should consider.

My only criteria at this stage is : 45mm gauge and insulated wheels (to fit in with my existing track), manual ( I'll build up to RC, if I haven't lost my eyebrows, moustache, and other forms of facial hair, during the "introduction" phase to this new venture), and within a budget of say, £600.

I appreciate this limits the choice of loco's ( possibly a Caradoc, Lawley or Ragleth, Millie or Bertie - do these all have insulated wheels?), but what tips and preferences do you have. I believe that to get a broad opinion of "the best" loco, I need to listen to those who have gone down this route previously.

I also appreciate that this is a very subjective subject, but personal views from existing or previous owners are important.

So come on, you live steam 'experts' tell me the highs and lows of each 'starter' loco I could consider. I'm sure this question has been raised previously, but I can not find a similar thread during the past year.

All views gratefully received.
 
Any of the models you've mentioned are good choices for a first locomotive at the price point you've mentioned. Note, however, that the Roundhouse engines (Millie and Bertie) do not have insulated wheels.

The Accucraft engines are basically the same mechanism and boiler with different wheel arrangements and platework, so if you go that route, it's more a matter of what appeals to you esthetically.

By way of background, I've owned an Accucraft Excelsior (soon to be re-released as a "Leader") and an Edrig. Both were good runners and easy to operate.

Hope that helps.
 
All I'd say is that you do need very gentle gradients and ideally gentle curves as well to make manual running easy/enjoyable.... I am on my first and it was a bit more expensive a RH L Anne with RC £1100.
 
Just what 'e' said except don't buy a Accucraft Ruby (ducks for incoming) I only say this as I really don't think it's a good candidate for a first Loco after a lot of fettling and mods they do turn into a fine loco and I know I have two of them which run great..................Now............

But yes I have a Millie which runs great and always has, shame about the insulated wheel sets though....... I also have a roundhouse/Beck ANNA which really is a great starter Loco but sadly don't come up for sale very often. I think you should consider a used loco from the Up market side of the Hobby at a good price then you will be a happy bunny...........I just paid $600 for this Gem that's about $380.00 at the current going rate.It's an Accucraft USRA switcher..........OOOOO that was a bargain wasn't it!! So they are out there you just have to have a big nose like me!!!!!
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I'm a big fan of the more basic Accucraft locos- cheap, maybe not perfect but damn good value nonetheless and very easy to tinker with- detail, fit r/c etc etc. Good, powerful runners too.
 
I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but Regner ( Easy Range ) are simple locomotives to run & fun , if you can live with a geared engine . Otherwise people seem to love the Accucraft loco's, either an Edrig , or its new replacement , the Ragleth would seem to fit your budget. Also depends what you are wanting to run , I have no experience of US live steam loco's , but they seem mighty popular , & look good on the video's I have seen.
When I was in your position I opted to keep my powder dry until I could afford a Roundhouse Lady Anne, a fine loco thats been in production for donkeys years. I would recommend that as a course of action.
Cheers Garry
what ever you get , enjoy ! live steam is fantastic!!
 
Hi Tom.

The reason I mentioned Insulated wheels, was that I plan to operate my electric loco's and steam on the same tracks ( I know I will be regularly cleaning the track), and I understand that if your using track power, adding a 'steamer' without insulated wheels, will cause a short!

Is this the case?
 
Dave,

Silly me! I had forgotten about electrics, since I seldom run them anymore, and never mixed with live steam.

It is true that non-insulated wheels will cause a direct short.

Many of my coaches don't even have insulated wheels.

Best of luck with your live steam selection. Be sure to let us know what you decide, along with pictures.
 
I'm a 'new boy' like you Dave. I had no experience with G scale live steam at all. I went for an Accucraft Caradoc - only because I liked the look of it (and the price!).
I've not been disappointed. I've even managed to fit radio control gear and just love it to bits.
 
Any of the Roundhouse Basic locomotives would make a great choice. As would the Regner Easy line series. I run some locomotives without insulated wheels with no problems, care needs to be taken of course, but then care is a must with live steam locomotives.
 
Very pleased about the response from you fellow G Scalers. I welcome all your imput, and it looks like Iv'e got a fair choice of loco to consider.

So far, I like the look of the following, many of which I have seen "in the flesh" at a recent show (Elsecar,Barnsley), but I'm still looking.

One loco that appeals to me, is the Accucraft 'Lawley' but I ain't seen it "live" yet, so anyone who has one of these loco's, can I get a picture? and any background i.e. is it a 'new' loco, to the live steam family, any experiances, (good and bad).

The others are still the Accucraft Caradoc (I know it's an 'old' one, but it has a certain appeal to me) - then there's the Roundhouse 'Millie' in full cab mode. I love the appearance of this loco- and I might still go for it, even though it's not got insulated wheels so I would have to accept separate running of steam and electric loco's on my layout - not an impossible compromise.

Keep your idea's and suggestions coming in please - lots of research = less mistakes I think.
 
If you have curves or gradients of any significance then I would suggest that radio control will be a must - the only exception to this being (as I understand it) the Regner.
 
i might simply add-
buy the best you can afford
i am pleased with my roundhouse loco and my LGB frank s

steam is its own set of knowledge-thus i recommend buying a loco that wont require a steep learning curve on your part-load it, lube it , light it, run it, clean it-thats plenty to start


while learning, like electric locos-its more fun and less frustrating to have an easy to operate, reliable, zero maintenance type of loco-unless you have a friend mentor who will help you 

roundhouse are long lasting workhorses that run and are easy to live with
they hold value-they are more expensive generally


the better accucraft are also quite nice too

saving for a shay myself
 
You can't go far wrong with a Ragleth or a Caradoc if you can still find one, they are extremley good value for money {PPS Steam Models selling Ragleth for £475}. The Lawley is also good value and quite a big bird!. Note that these loco's all have the same sized cylinders which provide more than enough power. Beware with Lawley as it has center flanged wheels which bind on tight curves, these can be removed with the use of a lathe. Millie is more expensive but has a near silent burner, wide spread of power and can run twice as long as the Accucrafts, Not much space for radio bits though.
 
Hi Dave,
Like yourself I am thinking of venturing over to the "dark side" and trying live steam. I at present run LGB engines on digital track and have been asking all the same questions as you, so this page has been very useful to learn from. I have a layout with two inclines roughly 1 in 39 and I wonder if steam loco,s can cope with these?. I am considering a roundhouse Russel loco with RC or maybe a vale of Rheidal. Both expensive to buy but appear to have the reqired "grunt" to get around my layout. I do wonder if this gungh on the track fouling up the electrics maybe a larger problem than realised. Opinions please.
 
fireball said:
Hi Dave,
Like yourself I am thinking of venturing over to the "dark side" and trying live steam. I at present run LGB engines on digital track and have been asking all the same questions as you, so this page has been very useful to learn from. I have a layout with two inclines roughly 1 in 39 and I wonder if steam loco,s can cope with these?. I am considering a roundhouse Russel loco with RC or maybe a vale of Rheidal. Both expensive to buy but appear to have the reqired "grunt" to get around my layout. I do wonder if this gungh on the track fouling up the electrics maybe a larger problem than realised. Opinions please.
Click to expand...

1 in 39 should be ok for most steam locos. They will go up and down with no problem, they will change speed a fair bit so will need to be driven all the time. I would recommend radio control.

Caradoc with 40 axles on a flat track, had no problems, some of the electric locos were struggling a bit:

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You could apply lateral thinking, and go for a road loco! No problems of loco falling off track due to speed! I went for Live Steam traction engine, gas /meths fired (choice of burners and tanks )picture here. Alyn
 
If you can live with the non-insulated wheel sets you cant go wrong with a millie for the money.............
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