Accucraft Ragleth

Boustrophedom said:
I have just purchased a Deltang based system for my Cheddar Samson, to replace the old 27MHz system. I intend to convert my Ragleth to rc with another receiver. Does anyone have any pictures of how Accucraft fitted their servos when factory fitted? Ditto for my Roundhouse Katie.
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See previous post nbr 26; it has a link to a GRC page that has some very useful info re fitting R/C to a Ragleth. It's what I used when I did ours.
Cheers,
Merlin
 
Another idea for wiping down the engine is a spray wax from the car isle at the local store. I use this on my Merlin if just the plain soft towel isnt enough to restore the shine. But many times, with this applied, just the soft towel and a light wipe down is all that is needed to restore the shine. If not, a quick spray or two on the towel, then wipe down. Same for WD40, do not spray right on the model, spray on the soft towel and wipe down. I use Brasso to polish the bright work if its tarnished. Mike P.S. That is one sharp looking Caradoc! Pretty much any of the 4 or 6 coupled generic engines from either of the 2 major builders are excellent for the beginner. But as mentioned, stay on top of keeping the inside valve gear flushed and freshly lubricated to prevent premature wear.
 
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After a few load tests on my railway in recent days, I'm starting to wonder the weather the 'Caradoc' is suited for my line. :worried:
After steaming up (which takes around 10 mins), she runs around the railway perfect light engine, but when I tested her on rolling stock she really struggles. I set her off with 4 small LGB wagons (a very light train). She managed 2 laps (requiring full reg in the corners), after that she started running out of puff and got stuck on a bend with a very, very slight climb. I lowered the number of wagons to two, again she stopped after one lap. I left her to build up steam for a minute or so, then same thing. I then took all the wagons off and she could hardly managed without a load. Shortly after she ran out of gas, think the boiler was dry too. Was around 20 mins running time.
In a video I posted recently of one of her first runs, she ran fine Light Engine, though I had the burner up too high, as can be heard in the video.
I'm starting to think my line is way to sharp for her (all are 1st LGB curves), and she doesn't seem to have to time to build up pressure in-between bends. My Regner Conrad on the other hand has no trouble at all! Had her on a load 7, with 6 playmobil wagons and a Accucraft W&L Brake van and she make not hesitation in bends and on the slight climb.
Any idea on what I'm doing wrong? She really is a beautiful machine and love her to bits. Her jet did get blocked recently which I sorted, can't see that being an issue though? :cry:

Here's a link to a cab ride in the of the railway last year, showing the section of line I've been running on. The video from 3:57 should give you all a good idea of the curves. The corner at 5:01 is were she gets stuck. Hope it's of help...
 
SDJR7F88 said:
After a few load tests on my railway in recent days, I'm starting to wonder the weather the 'Caradoc' is suited for my line. :worried:
After steaming up (which takes around 10 mins), she runs around the railway perfect light engine, but when I tested her on rolling stock she really struggles. I set her off with 4 small LGB wagons (a very light train). She managed 2 laps (requiring full reg in the corners), after that she started running out of puff and got stuck on a bend with a very, very slight climb. I lowered the number of wagons to two, again she stopped after one lap. I left her to build up steam for a minute or so, then same thing. I then took all the wagons off and she could hardly managed without a load. Shortly after she ran out of gas, think the boiler was dry too. Was around 20 mins running time.
In a video I posted recently of one of her first runs, she ran fine Light Engine, though I had the burner up too high, as can be heard in the video.
I'm starting to think my line is way to sharp for her (all are 1st LGB curves), and she doesn't seem to have to time to build up pressure in-between bends. My Regner Conrad on the other hand has no trouble at all! Had her on a load 7, with 6 playmobil wagons and a Accucraft W&L Brake van and she make not hesitation in bends and on the slight climb.
Any idea on what I'm doing wrong? She really is a beautiful machine and love her to bits. Her jet did get blocked recently which I sorted, can't see that being an issue though? :cry:

Here's a link to a cab ride in the of the railway last year, showing the section of line I've been running on. The video from 3:57 should give you all a good idea of the curves. The corner at 5:01 is were she gets stuck. Hope it's of help...
Click to expand...
I rather think that you have answered your own questions, radius 1 curves and short straights are not conducive to productive running.
 
My layout has very severe inclines (about 1:10 at the worst) so rod steam locos (electric or live steam) find it a struggle to make progress when towing a train. I have got two geared live steam locos (a 2 cylinder and a 3 cylinder Accucraft shay) and they are well suited to the terrain (as they were in real life) and haul quite heavy trains both up and down successfully.

I also have one live steam rod engine (C21 Accucraft with a heavy tender with water bath for the gas tank) which will pull a good train on the flat with curves and moderate gradients but finds it too hard to pull itself and the tender up my gradients. It is a 'visit' loco that I take to other layouts where it performs as it should.

Rod engines will never be successful on inclines but geared locos take it in their stride (even the small Regner geared engines will prove successful).
When I run electric I either multi-head or have helpers at the back or use my customised motored rolling stock (stock cars, box cars and passenger cars) to give 'invisible' help.
 
Hm I wonder a little. Whilst I have no experience of a Ragleth I do have experience of a short line with LGB R1 exclusively. On that line back in 1984-7 I had 2 Merlin Rod Locomotives that ran fine. Though memory does not tell me how long the runs were, probably 15-20 Minutes or so. There is no doubt though that R1's will knock the stuffing out of a Rod Locomotive run time wise, Indeed the Regner sort of proves this on Callums Line.

Perhaps the solution is to move Ragleth on, Callum you should have no difficulty selling it for what you paid possibly a bit more in view of the work that was done. I think I would be looking for another geared Loco either a Regner or perhaps a Peter Angus if you can find one, though these will be more expensive even second hand. But before you do this try to give her a run on another line that has easier curves, there must be somewhere not too far from you. Either someone from this Forum or even a G Scale Society member that someone from here can put you in contact with. At least then you will know whether it is an inherant fault with Ragleth or just a situation with your line.
JonD
 
Thanks for all the advice.
As Jon know from visiting my railway, the addition of larger corners is sadly not an option. The Renger I bought from him is just perfect for the railway. I gave it a run after my faulted attempt with the 'Caradoc', it made no hesitation on a rake of 7 on the same bend, where as the 'Caradoc' could not even get up there under her own weight.
As much as I love it, it my seem that selling her is likely be the only option... :( Bit of an expensive test run I guess
 
You could always keep it and have it as your visiting loco when or if you visit other garden railways.
 
casey jones snr said:
You could always keep it and have it as your visiting loco when or if you visit other garden railways.
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That is always a good option, membership of the 16mm Association will unlock many options for visits. Not all will be 45 Gauge though. Is it Gauge Convertable to 32?
JonD
 
SDJR7F88 said:
Hi all.
After the success with my first live steamer (a Regner Konrad), I've been thinking about getting a second engine. One that has really caught my eye, and is within my price range is the Accucraft Ragleth.
It also meets my critieria for going around R1 curves, which my layout is consists off.
Another slightly cheaper option is a Roundhouse Basic line model, so would like to know which would be best.
First of all, is it best to pay that bit extra for R/C?
I don't have any issue with manual models, but I've heard the sometimes need a bit more omph to get them around bends (especially tight ones). This is where R\C would come in a bout more handy than manual I guess? Giving it a bit more reg on the bend then less on straights.
Second, cleaning.
I know live steams can get a bit dirty, so would like to know what us recommend to keeping the paint work and other things in top condition.
Any help would be greatful. As you all know a live steamer is not a cheap purchase, a would like to get it right.
Many thanks callum
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Hi callum would recomend rcmy ragleth factory fitted but easy enough to fit yourself taken photograhs of r c system to show how fitted misplced hub when find put photos on link brian bgs266
 
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