Live Steam testing on Beaver Creek

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Well it had to happen, I have been looking longingly at live steam. But would live steam be able to operate on my up to 10% (1:10) gradients? The only thing of course was to test it...
Stuart (Marshman) has recently caught the Live Steam bug and had added a little Regner `Konrad` to his stable.

Now this little `Konrad` (as well as other Regner locos) had been recommended to me as one that is well geared for well mannered running.
To quote Tag, "it would climb walls!".
So Stuart brought it over a week or so back and the testing began.

It was all new to me to be partaking in the process so everything was a learning curve.
We both learned a lot and we had to dismantle her to find out why the gas was having problems, both due to the cold and also a blocked gas jet (a common problem with Regners we were told later)

I am putting together a video of the running but until that gets done here are some photies of a very enjoyable afternoon on a very cold, still-aired, damp day (just right for `big` plumes!).

First was the prepping and then she was off. Would she manage the big climb...........

prep.jpg

run 1.jpg

run 1 a.jpg

run 2.jpg

run 3.jpg

run 3 a.jpg

run 5.jpg

run 4 brginning the climb.jpg

run 6 up hill.jpg

run 7 climbing the grade.jpg
 
Just a few more

She climbed the gradient and then went down in a very dignified manner. Then we tried her with a load (to be seen in the video).

Am I hooked......oh yes!!!!

run 8 up to arbour summit.jpg

near the top.jpg

point rock.jpg
 
funandtrains said:
Going to my a Regner logging loco now?

Well Steve...maybe sell a couple of electric locos and go for the Regner 'Lumberjack' version with the gearing upgrade (will have to test Stuarts one first as he has one of these too) or maybe save up for a long time for the Accucraft 3 cylinder Shay even if it will only manage 15 minutes before needing a refil!
We shall see.....
 
"Am I hooked......oh yes!!!!"

Another convert to Regner geared live steam. ;D


My little beastie (I nearly typed little Willi without thinking) is still going strong.

However due to one mate having problems with a chain stretching on a similar loco I suggest choosing the non-chain driven locos like the one you have tested or mine over the chain driven variants such as the Vincent.
 

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Just Fantastic Mike :D so nice to see live steam on your line , I know what Santa will be getting you now full steam ahead Mike .
 
Thanks for the pictures Mike. It was a fun day & we did learn a lot. You captured the steamie atmosphere well.
 
beavercreek said:
maybe save up for a long time for the Accucraft 3 cylinder Shay even if it will only manage 15 minutes before needing a refil!

I find my Accucraft 3 cylinder is not that great at inclines (going up) yet. It might still need to loosen up a little, I need to learn to drive ot better. I'd be happy to make the treck to give it a try on your railroad sometime ;)

Max.
 
maxi-model said:
I find my Accucraft 3 cylinder is not that great at inclines (going up) yet. It might still need to loosen up a little, I need to learn to drive ot better. I'd be happy to make the treck to give it a try on your railroad sometime ;)

Max.

Hi Max
You would be very welcome to bring her over and try the 'hill'. It would also be a really useful experience for me to see how the loco behaved all round.
Perhaps a steam afternoon with your Shay and Stuart's Regner 'Konrad' and his new 'Lumberjack' would make a goodly session.
Let's work something out.
 
Mike I think live steam was meant to be on your great line. I think the Lumberjack would be the way to go. Also consider the 2 cylinder Shay. The 3 might struggle with keeping up steam, especially with your Grades. The 2 cylinder will have an easier time. If you get the Lumberjack move the gas tank to the side of the boiler. I found having it in the back was very difficult to run in cold weather. If you put it next to the boiler the heat from it will keep the butane warm. I did it to mine and now it will run in cold weather with no problems.
 
Shawn said:
I found having it in the back was very difficult to run in cold weather. If you put it next to the boiler the heat from it will keep the butane warm. I did it to mine and now it will run in cold weather with no problems.
Hi Shawn
As I am new to all of this.....
How did you move the tank on the Lumberjack, isn't it soldered to the frame/side panels etc?

When you say that the 3 cylinder shay would find it hard to stay in steam, would this be because it only has about 10 to 15 minutes of steaming on a flat line and the gradients on mine would cause it to be even shorter due to the work rate?
I have heard that the 2 cylinder shay is lighter than the 3 cylinder one and would have less traction up the slope if pulling some cars etc. Would you agree with this?
 
Are you thinking about the new 28T Shay? If so then ignore my comments I forgot about that one. If you mean the older one, the problem with the 3 cylinder is it has the same size gas tank and boiler as the 2 cylinder. Because it has the extra cylinder it requires more steam. The current boiler is not big enough and the burner has a hard time keeping steam for that extra cylinder. From what I heard that's why they don't produce them anymore. The 3 cylinder Shay is not that much heavier then the 2. That's if your thinking about the old 3 cylinder.

The gas tank on the Lumberjack is secured by two screws on the bottom. I just had to drill two holes on the side and secured it with the same screws. Very easy. When the time comes Ill send you pictures.

I think that Konrad is next on my list. I really love the look of it.

Another option to look at is the Bellflower Cricket. Not sure how you like the look but that should climb with no issues and it will run in 8 degree Fahrenheit. Don't ask me how I know that :-X
 
funandtrains said:
What and about the Regner Shay and other bogie logging locos?

Regner stopped making the Shay. Unless you can find one that would be a good choice. They are coming out with a Class A Climax with the three different boiler arrangements. Only problem is when are they going to be out. I heard sometime 2014.
 
Watch it Mike, once the steam oil is in your veins there is no turning back ;)

Just one thought on the Lumber Jack (which of course is in high favour on the H&MGR) is it is not as low geared as Vincent of Konrad and mine, before fitting the RC did pick up a bit more speed running down hill. Very controlable now though under RC :)
 
The problem with geared locomotives like the Accucraft 3 cylinder Shay is that you cannot shut off the regulator (at least if you are non-R/C) and/or take them "out of gear" going down hill and still maintain forward motion. Hence they are still using up that head of steam and might seem a little reluctant to go uphill, or even on the flat, immediatly afterwards. Probably pointed up by Shawn's comment regarding 2 v 3 cylinder versions.

Don't discount a more conventional 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 locos. Two of the most capable "climbers" under load I have are a Roundhouse Darjeeling (it works 1:1 in the Himalayan foothills) and the Accucraft Countess (bit bumpy round Welshpool too). A little bird at my local 16mm NGM group suggested it's down to all the weight being over the driven axles (no pony trucks !) giving them great adhesion and the fact (if R/C) you can shut off the regulator to save steam and "freewheel" downhill, using the reverser to provide a form of braking control. Well that's what I do.
Max.
 
Many thanks for all of the, experience, input and advice lads, it is mightily appreciated.

Hi John
Yes the steam oil in the veins thing is what I am worried about! tee hee
When Stuart bought his Lumberjack we did look at the two extra gears that would enable it to be at the same gear ratio as the 'Konrad' and others. I think that, for my line, they would be mandatory.

Hi Max
If I was to ever get the funds together to go for a 'new edition' Accucraft Shay I am pretty sure that I would make it RC
I have to make sure that it can do all the things that I want it to:
1) Run up the gradient with a moderate rake of cars (5 log cars with lightweight logs) behind
2) Not runaway under load when going down the gradient
3) Be able to run for at least 10-15 minutes without 'phutting out'.

It will be good to see how your 1st run shay manages!


Thanks, Shawn, for the heads up on the the fact that the 1st run of shays had a similar size boiler/gas tank to the 2 cylinder ones. The new run of Accucraft Shay will have a larger boiler (and hopefully gas tank) than the 1st run edition and is expected to steam for longer.

Stuart will be bringing his Lumberjack over to 'test' the climb. It hasn't had the gear conversion yet so it will be interesting to see how it performs without it.

This is all very exciting stuff for me as it an area of involvement that I really did not think would happen on my line!
 
I agree with John. When I bleed steam oils comes out lol..... I said I only wanted one live steamer and I would be happy, well 2 years later and Im up to 7 steamers. Looks like John is getting there as well hehe. Whatever you go with whether its the Konrad or Lumberjack you will be very happy. I look forward to seeing what you end up with. You wont regret it. Its nice to have other options when running trains and steamers always seem to draw a crowed at club meets.
 
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