Which Make of Live Steam
- Thread starter JimmyB
- Start date
I know it sounds a lot and they can on some Older Roundhouse Locomotive be a bit tricky to fit, my very old Jack being a case in point as the weight bar was not fitted with Screw but a Pin as it is that old. But the difference in running has to be seen to be believed. Jimmie’s Line is quite modest with if I remember LGB R2 Curves (he got some of them from me) and R3 points plus a Gradient in not a lot of space. Driving pretty well any Live Steam Loco on his Line will likely be a bit tricky unless it has a SloMo or is a Geared Jobby. In effect the SloMo turns the Roundhouse into a sweet docile beast and the cost is certainly well worth it. The reason I mentioned it is because Roundhouse are a very good buy new, will run ‘as sure as sunrise’ (and not be that bad out of the Bix compared with some that appear to have a Rocketbupmtheir Tail Pipe) and be pretty good out of the box to boot. Within the locs I suggested his 2k Budget would leave enough for the Loco and a SloMo with some change. I believe strongly that he wiill get great satisfaction and fun from such a loco as indeed I do with my 2 SloMo fitted Roundhouse Locomotives.
tac foley
Registered
I get your point. I've seen Slo-Mo-fitted locos many times at shows, and yes, the idea is impressive. However, it's horses for courses for me - my Shay doesn't need one, and I drive my other two 16mm steamers with a load that makes a Slo-Mo unnecessary. My 'layout' doesn't need any kind of switching operation - where an inertia device is useful. If I ever sell enough kidneys to invest in a 'Lilla', I might just get one, but till then, I'll manage to live deprived of inertia.
Rhos Helyg Loco Works
Registered
You also need to add on import duty, which may or may not be charged. A friend bought one recently and the final cost was pushing £300 before he actually had it in his hand. And not available for Lilla as there is no space between the frames for the device.
As does turning down the gas and running at 20-30psi.
Last edited:
casey jones snr
Registered
I’ve had a number of Roundhouse live steam locomotives over the years. Each and everyone of them has been excellent both in build quality and running capabilities. For a starter locomotive I would recommend either the Billy Katy. Either is well within your budget with radio control included.
chris m01
Registered
Running at a lower psi is an interesting suggestion. We adjusted the safety valve to blow off at 40psi rather than 60psi on my brother’s Accucraft Caradoc which made it a much nicer loco to drive. My Roundhouse loco has far more power than is needed when running at 40psi so it could be that 30 psi would be better.
artfull dodger
Registered
Among the current builders of live steamers, nobody beats a Roundhouse. You first take a model that gets 12 hours of run time on steam before it leaves the factory, so all the bugs are worked out already(doesn't apply to the kits or basic range models), then add the replacement parts and logistical support that is second to none and its hard for anybody else to compete. Many try and there are plenty of the models out there running on garden lines. But in my humble opinion, Roundhouse is top of the pile when all things are considered. You can, on your own, fit reversing gear to the basic range models, Bertie, Sammie and Jennie would be the easiest. I myself did this to a Sammie using Roundhouse's Walschearts valve gear kit. So full RC ablities can be added to even the basic series models. Ultimately your choice will be controled by your wallet and curve radius. At the end of the day, its hard....no make that nearly impossbile to go wrong with anything from the Roundhouse Engineering Company. Nuf said! Cheers Mike the Aspie
I lucked out in that with my two, bit of a game of chance but it still falls within his the 2k Budget that Jimmy has whatever of the 3 RH Loco’s I suggested he may choose.
SLIP ECCENTRIC REVERCING.
If he went that way, having had a Slip Eccentric Loco in my early days of Live Steam I would never go for one again as non-automatic reversing without the hand of God is complete pain. One or two RH earlier Locomotives had it most likely the cheeper end ones but I see that they are not made just now but do pop up,on the Second Hand Market.
SECOND HAND.
Certainly would suggest for his first one that Jimmy stays clear of Second Hand, once one is more experienced then IF further acquisitions are considered could with care be Second Hand.
JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
Lots of good sound advice; just for some clarity, most of my curved track is LGB R3, but I have some Aristocraft 3 ft radius, my R1 points are going, my Bachmann doesn't like them, my gradient is around 1:25. Having been in touch with RH, it would seem most of their locos will manage this.
Second-Hand - as Jon has pointed out, as a novice I would steer away from this.
Thank you all for your responses, 30 posts and no real thread drift
Second-Hand - as Jon has pointed out, as a novice I would steer away from this.
Thank you all for your responses, 30 posts and no real thread drift
beavercreek
Travel, Art, Theatre, Music, Photography, Trains
There is of course the Regner 'Easyline' series of locos (apologies if it has been mentioned already).
These are, in the most part, able to have RC fitted.
They are small, some being low geared so they are easy to control... and they look, well, like prototypes of locos that 'could have been' for industry etc.
A few of them can be customised to look very much like a loco that would have existed on a logging complex, stoneworks, industrial complex or a little branch line.
They are great fun and a nice way to to get into Live Steam
I have a few of them to partner my Accucraft geared and rodded live steam locos
Graham at Garden Railways supplies the locos and will supply them with RC fitted if requested.
Regner Lumberjack
These are, in the most part, able to have RC fitted.
They are small, some being low geared so they are easy to control... and they look, well, like prototypes of locos that 'could have been' for industry etc.
A few of them can be customised to look very much like a loco that would have existed on a logging complex, stoneworks, industrial complex or a little branch line.
They are great fun and a nice way to to get into Live Steam
I have a few of them to partner my Accucraft geared and rodded live steam locos
Graham at Garden Railways supplies the locos and will supply them with RC fitted if requested.
REGNER Live Steam - gardenrailways.co.uk
Official Regner live steam UK authorised agent. We stock Train sets, Locomotives, Coaches, Wagons, Track, Line side models and parts and accessories by Regner, Accucraft, LGB, Piko, Pola,etc. We also have a selection of Modelling Tools.
www.gardenrailways.co.uk
Regner Lumberjack
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
3 slip eccentric models still very much in the current RH catalogue I provided a link to earlier Jon. But, as the "artfull dodger" has mentioned they can be upgraded to the more advanced "simplified walchaerts" spec - but then you might as well had gone for a Katie or Bertie in thr first place. You pays your money and makes your choices. Neither the R/C nor valvegear upgrades are factory fitted options on the "basics" - it's do it yourself or someone to. Max
Max I specifically looked at tye RH list of puffers and could not see any Slip Eccentric Locs, which ones are they?
The Basic series locomotives (Bertie, Jennie, Millie & Sammie) are all Slip Eccentric.
Quotes from the operating manual for Sammie/Bertie:
"The slip eccentric valve gear is located between the rear wheels and the frames and is lubricated by running oil down the back of the wheels. "
"To reverse the locomotive, close the regulator to bring it to a halt, move the engine manually for one wheel revolution in the desired direction and open the regulator again."
I originally got hooked on live steam by playing with the Sammie loco at live steam display at the botanical gardens in Albuquerque, New Mexico. If you plan to run continuosly around the layout, the slip eccentrics don't really matter that much. Definitely would want a raised layout to keep you off your knees, however.
Last edited:
maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Scroll down to the bottom of the link I have inserted in post #5 for thr RH product catalogue PDF and you find them there. Max
tac foley
Registered
Lots of good sound advice; just for some clarity, most of my curved track is LGB R3, but I have some Aristocraft 3 ft radius, my R1 points are going, my Bachmann doesn't like them, my gradient is around 1:25. Having been in touch with RH, it would seem most of their locos will manage this.
Second-Hand - as Jon has pointed out, as a novice I would steer away from this.
Thank you all for your responses, 30 posts and no real thread drift
Well, it all depends on the subject matter. Most times we are able to keep concentrating on the aim of the post, and other times we - oh look!!! There's an otter!!!!
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Something must be wrong, ShirleyLots of good sound advice; just for some clarity, most of my curved track is LGB R3, but I have some Aristocraft 3 ft radius, my R1 points are going, my Bachmann doesn't like them, my gradient is around 1:25. Having been in touch with RH, it would seem most of their locos will manage this.
Second-Hand - as Jon has pointed out, as a novice I would steer away from this.
Thank you all for your responses, 30 posts and no real thread drift
JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
I am sure I asked not to call me ShirleySomething must be wrong, Shirley
Emojis work on my home computer
casey jones snr
Registered
I have two Roundhouse “Basic Series “ locomotives, a Jennie and Bertie. Both are radio controlled and after being run in they perform excellently. The fact that they are slip excentric is not a problem.
PhilP
G Scale, 7/8th's, Electronics
Are you sure? - I thought it was a Badger?
What about the Regner 'Stainz' loco?? - Now, if it came in the darker green..
