Delboy - 6/12/2009 6:25 PM
Folks,
Thought I'd comment on my recent experience with Summerlands Chuffers. I'm a new boy on the block when it comes to live steam, literally starting in this world about two years ago.
I have been watching YouTube videos on likely chuffers and sound systems, on and off, for about nine months when I stumbled on this particular brand. To cut a long story short, I took the plunge a couple of weeks ago and purchased three different chuffer types for my three locomotives. One for an Accucraft ‘LYN’, one each for the Roundhouse ‘Silver Lady’ and for a ‘Russell’.
I have to say that the installation instructions for all types were more than adequate, even for a guy like me with a next to zero engineering background. The most difficult modification for me was to ‘Russell’. Once you figured out how to actually get at the original exhaust pipe, the rest was pretty basic. The recommendation to “measure twice and cut once” is one that I’ll recommend to anyone. If I hadn’t followed this piece of advice I would have cut the original exhaust in the wrong place. However, it would have meant that, in this instance, I would have to have made another cut to the remaining length, as opposed to wishing I had never started the venture!
The Accucraft ‘LYN’ I would have to say gained the most benefits with the modification. With the original exhaust fitted, one constantly had oily water ejecting out over the smoke stack at initial start or when the locomotive came to a stop for more than a couple of seconds . . all in a most un-prototypical manner. With the Summerlands Chuffer installed, all that water and steam etc is now sent down the stack (no mess Charlie). Together with the vastly improved chuffing sound, volumes of steam (read smoke) exiting the smoke stack, improved burner modification, she’s an excellent performer all round. That’s not to detract in any way from the Roundhouse models, far from it.
On the Welcoming page of Summerlands website there is a sentence that begins, “So if you fancy adding a new dimension to your garden railway, . . . . . ”, I’ll finish it by saying, “my experience to date with three different model types has vastly improved the audio/visual functionality of my 16mm live steam. It just brings the locomotive(s) alive.”
An excellent product and in my opinion worth every penny. (You might JUST be able to detect that I am a convert to this product.)
Anyway, these are my personal thoughts on the subject.
I would also like to take this opportunity in thanking Alan Whitaker at PPS Steam Models, for the expeditious manner in which he handled my ‘overseas’ order. I had the goods in my hot little hands within four days of him receiving my payment details. Many thanks Alan.
My thanks also to Chris Bird for his guidance and support with the installation process of the chuffers, and his personal interest shown in my purchase. Very much appreciated.
