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Author Topic: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.  (Read 2569 times)

Woe is me

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Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« on: January 19, 2020, 11:01:58 pm »
Have been kicking the idea around about getting a live steam train for the back yard. I want a something that's pretty reliable, life like, and not toooo expensive.Had my eye out for a Hornby G100 the Stephenson Rocket have seen mixed reviews. It's no longer being made so that might be my first clue on that.                                                           
 Has anyone here played around with one.

Thank's for input in advance,   Tommy
Tommy

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Nick

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2020, 11:06:38 pm »
Roundhouse Millie  ;)
Nick

Steam Technology

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2020, 11:26:25 pm »
I have a rocket here, it is fine for what it is, there are a few issues though
There are a couple of different versions of boiler but they all only hold 60mls of water so short run times.
The burners need cleaning often and the plastic gas tanks split but after market metal ones are available.
The engine is listed as 3 1/2 inch but it is actually 3 mm less so will not run on standard track, it falls in between especially on the bends if gauge widening is present.
The plastic track for the rocket is hard to find and expensive and is too small for standard 3 1/2 inch trains.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Dave
ALWAYS WORKING TO FIND A CURE FOR CENOSILLICAPHOBIA
Cheers. Dave.

jkbixby

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2020, 05:46:15 am »
Not inexpert by any means but I'm with Nick in that any of the Roundhouse Basic series would do you well as they are relatively inexpensive and problem free.
Regards,
Larry

steamerado

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2020, 05:01:12 pm »
Similar question here. Any love for the Mamod locos? Ive been thinking about a Brunel because I like the look and price.
-TedO

Nick

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #5 on: January 20, 2020, 07:32:47 pm »
Similar question here. Any love for the Mamod locos? Ive been thinking about a Brunel because I like the look and price.

I have the "New Mamod Train" which is no longer new and I am very happy with it and would like to add a Brunel. But the basic Roundhouse locos will give you 3x the run-time and are built a little better.
Nick

Woe is me

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #6 on: January 21, 2020, 02:51:55 pm »
Similar question here. Any love for the Mamod locos? Ive been thinking about a Brunel because I like the look and price.

I have the "New Mamod Train" which is no longer new and I am very happy with it and would like to add a Brunel. But the basic Roundhouse locos will give you 3x the run-time and are built a little better.
Nick, have you any experience with Accucraft Ruby?
Tommy

"Steam it, like you mean it."

Nick

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #7 on: January 21, 2020, 03:35:40 pm »
I have a brand new Ruby but have not yet fired it... bought it on a cheap BIN. I am not sure off the top of my head, but I know many have reported minor problems with the Ruby and I have always seen Roundhouse suggested over Accucraft... I think one of Ruby’s faults may be in the gas burner, but I would have to do a little research to confirm that...
Nick

Steamandoil (Tim)

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #8 on: January 21, 2020, 08:20:03 pm »
A nice discussion. I am still thinking about a small layout this summer. My study seems like the track and bending and other things are a lot harder to  learn than just deciding on a loco! That looks like the easy part.
If you play with fire, you're gonna get burned.

Nick

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2020, 08:37:26 pm »
A nice discussion. I am still thinking about a small layout this summer. My study seems like the track and bending and other things are a lot harder to  learn than just deciding on a loco! That looks like the easy part.

Someday... Hopefully while the company is still around, I plan to go with dual-gauge from Sunset Valley Railroad. All my old toy locos, Mamods, and Millie are O-gauge, but my Ruby is 45mm

https://www.sunsetvalleyrailroad.com/track---rail.html
Nick

Nick

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #10 on: January 21, 2020, 11:12:45 pm »
Here's a comparison shot I took a few years ago of my Millie and Mamod



Nick

Steamandoil (Tim)

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Re: Your thoughts on trains for a beginner.
« Reply #11 on: January 23, 2020, 10:38:38 pm »
Man I like that. I'm certain the Roundhouse line is what I would go with because I am all about ease of operation and reliability! Good luck to any new steam train owner and any of us thinking about making the jump.
If you play with fire, you're gonna get burned.