Chedder Iver Or Lgb Frank S

[artfull dodger]

I am looking to get my own live steamer, I have had them in the past, but due to income restrictions have been unable to afford one for awhile. I have the possiblity to get a Chedder Iver in excellent condition or a used LGB Frank S. Both run well. Either would suit my lines European looks and tight curves. Both would need RC, which I have on hand, to run on my less than level line. The Chedder engine is more affordable, around $600 before shipping to me. The Frank S is around $900 before shipping. I would need to make payments to the owner for a period of time in order to afford either. I started out with Mamods, have had a couple Frank S engines, but I put Finescale Engineering gas tanks in the loco on those to solve cold weather running and dispense with hot water baths. Not sure thats an option anymore, and the Chedder has a ceramic burner, so quieter. I think the Chedder gives me the ablity to customize a bit more, its an all black model. I think red frames and driver centers, a Regner lantern style headlight (Similar to the LGB Stainz lantern) on both ends would help give it a more LGB style look to fit my all LGB railway. And its more easily paid for. I am still working on the details between the two owners to see if things will work out. Nothing is set in stone yet. I love the Frank S, but its higher cost is harder for me to imagine finding the funds to pay for it in reasonable time. Mike

 

[stevedenver]

well I don't know the Chedder, certainly have heard of them,
( know they can be superb but I recall mods like the summerland chuffer and perhaps a flywheel and slow speed throttle or something to make them run smoothly slowly)

and I tried to look up performance review on sidestreetbannerworks site, and found none.

but I do have a Frank s and,
I hope you end up with the loco that will make you happy.

Once I figured out how to finesse the frank s loco , thanks to kevin o Connors tutelage, and articles,
its been as much fun as my roundhouse SRRL 24, and considerably more robust and pretty quiet.
I have had little issue with the water bath, fuel valve, or other inconveniences. stock is tolerable for me. and....
They look nice imho on the shelf or running.

900 does not seem too steep unless rather worn .....and , omho, condition is very important.
otoh, I haven't seen them recently-last one I saw, mint, was 650 US about 3 years back. it was a fluke ....

I paid considerably more for mine, 1100 mint, and with cylinders coagulated with factory junk...........

I decided I didn't need a second. perhaps I misjudged and should have bought that one for 650, which imho was low....

fwiw aster still has some parts, for these, but not all. so be certain your candidate is all there and ship shape....I have found that the driver center screws can become loose, and all screws on these need to be tweaked each run-so check .....all present, none bent, no leaky water glass gaskets , fuel gaskets, pressure gauge on roof etc..

best of luck

 

[Chris Bird]

I am looking to get my own live steamer, I have had them in the past, but due to income restrictions have been unable to afford one for awhile. I have the possiblity to get a Chedder Iver in excellent condition or a used LGB Frank S. Both run well. Either would suit my lines European looks and tight curves. Both would need RC, which I have on hand, to run on my less than level line. The Chedder engine is more affordable, around $600 before shipping to me. The Frank S is around $900 before shipping. I would need to make payments to the owner for a period of time in order to afford either. I started out with Mamods, have had a couple Frank S engines, but I put Finescale Engineering gas tanks in the loco on those to solve cold weather running and dispense with hot water baths. Not sure thats an option anymore, and the Chedder has a ceramic burner, so quieter. I think the Chedder gives me the ablity to customize a bit more, its an all black model. I think red frames and driver centers, a Regner lantern style headlight (Similar to the LGB Stainz lantern) on both ends would help give it a more LGB style look to fit my all LGB railway. And its more easily paid for. I am still working on the details between the two owners to see if things will work out. Nothing is set in stone yet. I love the Frank S, but its higher cost is harder for me to imagine finding the funds to pay for it in reasonable time. Mike

I have never owned a Frank S, but have owned a Cheddar Iver for a number of years. Like all Iver's, mine is radio control only and came with a 27mhz set which was worse than useless. 2.4ghz is essential to get any reasonable control. The loco has small cylinders (just 3/8") but does not lack power - the difficulty is getting it to run slowly as it is happiest at speed. I have done many mods to mine, including slightly larger cylinders and a Chuffer but it remains a challenge to drive slowly on my small twisty railway. Worth checking that the piston glands still seal (though it is possible to un-glue the gland cap and wrap a little PTFE tape round the rod) and remember that the ceramic burner should be virtually silent. Too much gas and you loco will be whistling all the time!
Cheers
Chris

 

[john_darling@hotmail.co.uk]

I too have a Cheddar Iver with tender and it is a bit of a challenge to run but has never let me down. As a suggestion if you could obtain a bit of lead and form it into a block and fit it between the frames at the front of the engine this will give it a bit of stability. Also some sort of smoothing control for the R/C would certainly help. Just check out the internet. Good luck with your decision and I hope you get hours of fun whichever engine you choose.