Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Just butane, according to the can. Not sure if straight butane is actually sold.

That's part of the problem when making these global comparisons.

I'm aware that the butane gas we are sold here in the UK is not necessarily the same quality, formula, etc. as that sold in North America. We have problems trying to use the camping gas style butane in temperatures below approx. 5°C / 41°F (in reality somewhat closer to 10°C after factoring in wind chill).

Chris Cairns

That is a great run!


Very nicely done!


Gil

That's very impressive running times Dave.

I had a problem with slow running on my pre-owned Bertie. On my small Faller eTrain portable layout (15" radius curves) it would slow down in the curves & speed up on the straights, whereas my Millie ran steadily. After checking the wheels back to back, etc. it was suggested that it may be the valve timing. I did adjust one valve rod by a 1/2 turn which did improve the slow running but still not perfect. My Roundhouse Jennie (my first brand new Roundhouse loco, all others are pre-owned) ran perfectly out of the box with some impressive slow running. I took it apart to see how the valve timing was set up, and subsequently I've adjusted some of the valve timings on my other Basic Series locomotives. The Bertie now runs much better at slow running, but it can suffer from the gas tank getting heated up during a run requiring small adjustments to the gas regulator valve.

Chris Cairns

I scored some 32mm Faller eTrain track and have just started my basement (R/C battery only) mini-layout for when it's too cold to steam. The layout will have a Tipong Colliery theme and a large portion of the loop will be obscured by hilly terrain built-up using pink foam insulation. I may try to squeeze in a siding if I can find an eTrain switch. Ray is a well-traveled Roundhouse Little John and the Tipong coal tubs were built from Bole Laser Craft kits. I've built a bunch of BLC kits and they are very easy to assemble with clear instructions. The chassis are designed to always be straight upon completion, so they also run well.

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Very well done!


That is a superb run for your Roundhouse Millie.


Gil

Battery R/C. No flame. No carbon monoxide.

There was a cautionary tale published in 16mm news several issues ago by a member who very nearly died from carbon monoxide exposure from live steam locomotives operated indoors. I'll ask if I can have a .pdf copy to post here.

Thanks for checking!

Quote from: Stoker on August 31, 2019, 07:57:42 pm

Live steam indoors with open flame and pink foam ...... be very careful if you please!

Or will it just be the electrics running down in the basement?

Great idea. Please do publish here if permissioned. CO is a silent and odorless killer.

Great idea. Please do publish here if permissioned. CO is a silent and odorless killer.

Will do. The 16mm association has a few sample articles posted on the web site, so I suggested posting the CO article online if they prefer to not have it passed around.

Stay tuned.