[scoobyandy]

Hi all

I am looking at getting a live steam model and want to know if there is anything i should know, I have an existing layout and i allready know that i need to have seperate controller, but any further info would be greatfully recived

 

[Doug]

Get a rolling road to run the loco in and to learn how it works. You run it with the body off and study the details of the valves.

Otherwise, if you set it off down your track and it crashes, you will not know what set it into such a frenzy.

Also, when you get to run it, add a few coaches to prevent it derailing.

 

[John Webb]

If you want to run live steam on an existing layout, you will probably need to beef up the electrics; the usual stuff for the standard 12v 'Trad' system is far too light - typically maximum capacity of an amp. The Hornby live steamer uses up to 6 or 7amps. If this high current causes a large voltage drop between controller and track, control of the loco will be lost.
You need to approach it in the DCC style - busbars under the baseboard feeding the track at regular intervals. I used 1 sq mm wire for my layout feeding each baseboard section - about 800mm long on each section; this works quite well. Baseboard sections are linked with 10A capacity plugs and sockets to prevent these overheating.

Have fun - the live steam is great!
Regards,
John Webb

 

[Gwent rail]

Scoobyandy, are you going to run this indoors?

If so some of the things you need to know are:-
You need a large, fat wallet.
You need wide open windows.
You need to have a piercing, haunted look in your eyes
and finally that Chubb make a good fire extinguisher.

Have fun.

 

[pedromorgan]

Remember that it wont stop if it comes off the rails. if it falls of your layout it will carry on going across the floor!

I like to think of this as an inbuilt dsafty feature of the DC models!

Peter

 

[scoobyandy]

QUOTE (Gwent rail @ 15 Nov 2006, 23:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Scoobyandy, are you going to run this indoors?

If so some of the things you need to know are:-
You need a large, fat wallet.
You need wide open windows.
You need to have a piercing, haunted look in your eyes
and finally that Chubb make a good fire extinguisher.

Have fun.

Yes i am going to run this indoors, windows are a problem as its in the loft.
I am not going to be able to get a rolling road as money is tight at moment and cant afford to get one so will have to sort something out there.
I will have it on my existing layout but will be disconecting other controller before use, just a bit concerned about the points thing i keep hearing about, and the fact that sleepers melt. that also bothering me a little

 

[John Webb]

Bearing in mind that the Hornby live steamers are electrically 'fired' the only by-product is a small quantity of steam. Your loft should cope with this - mine does. I'd agree with Jeff (Gwent rail) if you were trying to run larger gauge spirit or solid fuel-fired live steamers indoors where you do have the extra 'products of combustion' to contend with. (Although I'd disagree about Chubb extinguishers!!)

You don't say if your layout is set-track or flexi-track. If set-track, and therefore more fishplates/rail joiners present, you do need to ensure these are gripping firmly to the adjacent piece of track.
I've used flexi-track and have soldered all fishplate joins to ensure continuity - I've also bypassed the wiring in the points (both PECO and Hornby) to avoid these carrying the heavy current other than for the short time the loco is passing over them. By observing these precautions I've not had any trouble so far with track joints overheating.
Regards,
John Webb

 

[Brian]

Not owning (or wishing to own) a live steam loco set up, I was wondering just how much steam exhaust is generated by a "00" live steamer during a running session?

Thoughts of condensation, mould and wood slowly rotting in the loft sprang to my mind. Followed eventual by the sound of the roof caving in as the joists and support timbers rot away!

Or am I being over optimistic??

 

[John Webb]

Brian - the Hornby 'boiler' takes 25ml (5 teaspoons) of distilled water. This take about half-an hour to be dispersed into my loft. I suspect more water vapour gets through the tiles and soffit vents when it rains than is put out by the live steamer, so I'm not worried by it.

The larger steam models will put more into the atmosphere, of course, and this may be of greater concern.

The biggest drawback is that the live steamer follows prototypical practice in making the track dirty through dropped oil and water (we are at least spared cinders and ash!) and particularly to keep the 'trad' 12v locos running after a live steaming session the track will require more frequent cleaning, as will rolling-stock wheels.

For scoobyandy's information: the forum on "0, G and larger Scales. Garden and Live steam" has a number of topics covering the Hornby live steamer already (including some info on my small layout).

Regards,
John Webb