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Author Topic: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread  (Read 6181 times)

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Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« on: March 17, 2019, 07:23:29 am »
Please show and tell us all about your coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco adventures!

How did you get started?
What went well?
What didn't?
What advice do you have for coal newbies?
Do you have photos and videos to share?!




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Dave

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2019, 07:29:49 am »
My adventure is still in the research phase, but I'll begin:

I'm retiring from teaching after next school year and contemplating the purchase of a coal-fired live steam locomotive (manual control, no R/C) as my retirement present. So far, I'm looking at the following:

Riverside Locomotives Elke (Roundhouse Billy): Very expensive and would require ;) a trip to Holland (not a bad thing) since Riverside doesn't ship to the U.S. The Billy would be, by far, my top choice if I abandoned my coal plans and bought another gas-fired loco.
Home
Information and help on coal-fired steam locomotives in the garden
riverdale-loco.com


DJB Ragleth: Less expensive, but based on an Accucraft. I haven't been very happy with my Accucraft live steam locos, but my understanding is that the DJB conversion really does turn it into a much better machine. I also kind of like the styling of the Ragleth. There is also the DJB Saddle Tank, but I'm not sure that I like the look of that one.
DJB Model Engineering Ltd
Manufacturer of 15mm/16mm R-T-R live steam engines and kits including Isle of Man coaches as well as conversions to coal-firing for existing mass-produced models
djbengineering.co.uk


Elstow Engineering also converts the Billy and other Roundhouse locos, but I haven't found out much except the limited info on the web site.
Elstow Engineering - Model Railway Engineering Specialist
16mm and Gauge 1 Repairs / Servicing, Radio Control Installation, Boiler Design & Manufacturing, Coal / Meths Boiler Conversions , Bespoke Locomotive Builds / Parts, Machining Services, Engine...
elstow-engineering.co.uk





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Dave

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2019, 08:33:59 am »
Hi Dave, sorry I can't add anything as I am in the very beginning stage and that is wanting a coal-fired loco. Please do share your entire experience with us and hopefully it will help me make a decision on what to get...
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Nick

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2019, 08:43:51 am »
Hey Nick,

Me too, re: beginning/wanting. Hopefully our experienced colleagues will chime in!
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Dave

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2019, 06:36:08 pm »
Quote from: jerseysteam on March 17, 2019, 07:23:29 am
Please show and tell us all about your coal-fired, small loco....

If you were to go a bit bigger, you could find a 3.5" coal-fired loco like my Rob Roy. I got mine from an estate a couple of years ago, tore it down and re-furbished most of it, and have since run it on a local club track. The chief advantage here is that it can pull you around...





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Bob

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2019, 06:52:55 pm »
Looks like great fun!!!
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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2019, 08:39:35 pm »
Sure does!
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Dave

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2019, 10:29:19 am »
Make sure coal fired is what you really want. Anything smaller than 3.5'' is very difficult to keep alight and can be a real pain. Don't forget coal is just an alternative to gas firing at a considerably higher cost. some people even go back to gas......Allan.
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Helen and Allan of the Frog and Ferret railway.

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2019, 11:51:28 am »
Sage advice, Allan.

There is a live steam club (small scale and a range of larger gauges) in my vicinity that I plan to check out this summer, perhaps find a mentor and ask lots of questions. I'm taking my time and it's entirely possible I'll decide that coal firing is prohibitively expensive.

Thanks!

Quote from: MrandMrsferrysteam on March 20, 2019, 10:29:19 am
Make sure coal fired is what you really want. Anything smaller than 3.5'' is very difficult to keep alight and can be a real pain. Don't forget coal is just an alternative to gas firing at a considerably higher cost. some people even go back to gas......Allan.
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Dave

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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2019, 04:56:33 pm »
Hello,
 I got to coalfired 5 Inch ones but to give you Food for thought you might be able to get the CASPER Locomotive made by Modelbow Atelier Apeldoorn in the netherlands . Saw the engine and find it well made and relatively low priced . To get a 3,5 Inch one is another idea but I read from your post that your aim might be a coalfired gauge 1 one. There are a few other reasonable ideas but they are even more expensive .


cheers Joe
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Re: Coal-fired, small-scale live steam loco thread
« Reply #10 on: May 13, 2019, 01:16:43 pm »
Tag Gorton ran a coal fired session as one of the Help & Advice Theatres at the Peterborough Show in 2015 (?) but I do not think the video recording was ever made available. I recorded a session by Joep Janssen (Mr Riverdale) at the same show. It was recorded on a new to me camera (had not used the video function much) and hand held so somewhat amateurish.



What sold me was that Riverdale does not use an onboard axle or crosshead driven water pump, rather relying on a one fill of boiler for a run, or extended runs using a goodall valve.

When I ordered the Elke Boiler Kit I was told there was a 12 month waiting list (I've heard that has now increased to 24 months for some models) but as the buyer before me on the list was made redundant & cancelled his order, mine was picked up at Peterborough 4 months later.

I bought a part built Billy kit from a fellow modeller, but have yet to paint the body & convert it from manual control to radio control using some of the Elke fittings to avoid repetition later, so the coal fired conversion is still on the 'To Do' list.

What impressed me was how quickly steam pressure was raised compared to the gas fired version.

Chris Cairns
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