To Live Steam or Not to Live Steam

Madman

Madman

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Over in the Coffee Lounge I expressed the notion of getting a live steam loco. This subject has come up over the years, but I have always deferred my decision. Now that my garden railway is a more manageable size, and my son is prodding me once again to do live steam, and that I have the funds to do so, I am giving the matter serious thought. Not too much thought at one time 'cause my brain starts to hurt.....:rolleyes:

In the past I have perused the Roundhouse catalog, along with Regnor and Mamod. Roundhouse appeals to me. Not sure exactly why.

If I take the plunge R/C would certainly be a must.

So I am asking, once again, what your thoughts would be.
 
Hi Dan,
You probably can't go wrong with a Roundhouse product?
But, are you bothered that it won't look like an American prototype? - Most tend to look very 'British', or European.

Mamod, are no more, and I fear the amount of 'fiddling' to get one running, might be a put-off?

Regner, make some very nice, if quirky, models. You could even buy as a kit, and assemble it yourself.
Not sure if there is a US dealership?

All this, is worth exactly what you have paid for it, and other's will be along in a minute..

PhilP.
 
Having started with live steam, and then added battery RC, they are a very different prospect. Running isn't as spontaneous, as you need to allow time for preparing the loco and raising steam; and once you're running, there's no sitting back: they demand concentration! That said, I wouldn't be without mine.
As far as manufacturers are concerned, I don't think you can go wrong with Roundhouse. I've not owned one of their locos, but their reliability is the stuff of legend and they have slightly deeper flanges on the wheels. Fine scale models look great on the shelf, but can be a bit prone to derailment in my experience.
Mamod can be a bit rapid, although their vertical boiler loco is geared and therefore more measured. But there's an argument for buying the Roy Wood vertical boiler loco instead -better quality- or a 'Janet'.

Products

Evans Steam Services, Products
www.evanssteamservices.co.uk www.evanssteamservices.co.uk

Whatever you choose, you're bound to get lots of advice, much of it conflicting...
Good luck with the search!
 
Roundhouse is famous for customer support as well.

One thing to note about Roundhouse is that they build each model for a few weeks, then move on to another model, and so on. So if you want a specific model you may have to wait till they resume building it. I've been waiting since early April for a locomotive that will be built in December. :anguished:
 
Good point..
You really need to have a steam up area, where you can stand (sit?) with the loco at table-top height to work on..

You can dig a pit to stand in, if you don't already have quite enough height.
If you consider this: Think about ground-water in your area, and drainage.
Standing in a cold, damp pit might not appeal, as you get older?

PhilP.
 
Madman, welcome to live steam! As people have said, it not as easy as battery power, but highly addictive! If this is your first live steamer, Roundhouse are excellent, but im not sure of shipping to you. The other thing to think about is ease of use. Some locos look wonderful, but can be "interesting" to run!
Also dont forget Accucraft in your neck ofvthe woods!
 
The last time I looked, Roundhouse did kit versions of their models: Lady Anne, Billy and Katie. Of these, my favourite is Lady Anne (0-6-0 tank). However, this is also the most expensive of the three (but cheaper than the factory 'ready to run'). These come with an R/C kit option. These are reasonably challenging to build and some patience is needed to get the motion running smoothly.
 
Paul M said:
If this is your first live steamer, Roundhouse are excellent, but im not sure of shipping to you.
Click to expand...
Chris Vernell Chris Vernell already mentioned an importer in the US for Roundhouse.
I should forget the Mamod as it is generally agreed that it takes a lot of time, effort and cash to make them run properly and even then they are second rate.
I also mentioned this elsewhere:

Okay so not in a normal garden scale this is Spur 1 which is 1:32 running on 45mm track. It is live steam however and a snip at € 4300 / £ 3765 / $ 5010 but before you whip out the credit card they are on holiday until Friday. Just look at it, Oooooo :inlove:

www.bimmelbahn24.de

(1HPC12) ASTER Spur 1 Dampflok Gt2x4/4 Bayern, Echtdampf Live Steam - Modelleisenbahn Ankauf & Verkauf | Bimmelbahn24

Das Spur 1 Modell einer Dampflok Gt2x4/4 MALLET Bayern, befindet sich in gutem Zustand und wird in starker Luftpolsterung und stabiler Kartonage geliefert. SPIRITUS ! ECHTDAMPF, LIVE STEAM ! Wurde von unserem externen Echtdampfspezialisten erfolgreich geprüft. Unsere Bilder sprechen für sich...
www.bimmelbahn24.de www.bimmelbahn24.de
 
Love live steam, it's more involved than just plonking a loco on the track ad turning a knob, that said, you need to allow time for prep (oil, water and gas filling) about 5-10 mins, another 10-15 mins to raise steam, not sure about Roundhouse as my IOM locos are Accucraft R/C fitted, but I get around 20 mins plus running time. At the the end of the the session, you need about 10-15 mins to clean and empty the water from the displacement lubricator, I don't have a prep area as such but use either my shed work bench or if the weather nice (not too blustery) a fold up picnic table.
One thing you will notice is the gradients and curves and how they affect you locos, you'll soon realise you have to drive your locos!
Summing up,
Live steam if you want to be active,
Battery/track power if you want to watch and have a beer!
Hope this helps
 
Fezwig said:
Love live steam, it's more involved than just plonking a loco on the track ad turning a knob, that said, you need to allow time for prep (oil, water and gas filling) about 5-10 mins, another 10-15 mins to raise steam,
Click to expand...
Wot, you get Tornado up to working pressure in 25 minutes ?? :D:D:D
 
Northsider Northsider Thanks for that Evans link! I'd never heard of them. Some interesting locos, I especially like the De Winton.
 
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