Re: Aster 3 cyl Shay
Last time I checked, the jobless rate in the U.S.A. is less than 5 %. If America had paid more attention to K Marx over the past decades, American's would not be able to afford toilet paper let alone steam engine's. Just talk to someone that has escaped from a communist country unless they were in the top elite 1 percent.God bless Ronald Reagan! At 07:27 PM 6/9/04 +0100, you wrote: As a visitor to the US I could not help noticing how much was made in China, most of which was probably originated to the order of US businesses. I believe that most of the mass manufactured model RR stuff is now made on the far side of Pacific rim. Could it be that US companies find they can make more money that way? Does it suit the American consumer to be able to consume more because goods are cheaper? Same thing happening in UK. Possibly the US should pay a little more attention to K Marx's 'labour theory of value' and the 'essential crisis of capitalism', as economic thereory rather than mere commie propeganda. In the search for higher consumption/profits the US will loose jobs to countries with cheaper labour until the wages of American Labour gain parity,ie drop. A natural consequence of Global Capital (Globelisation). Of course you could try to shore it all up with trade protection but hey, what happened to libertarian Free Trade that US Gvt seems so keen on? Like you, I don't like jobs being lost to overseas. UK bank call centers being moved to India despite the fact that the banks returned fat profits before the fact doesn't go down to well with many of the UK unemployed, but 'Global' capital has no national loyalty. The UK live steam market was largely UK made (Aster only really a player in Ga I), however the ripples made by Chinese Accucraft locos made to UK design are clearly visible in the UK market place. Best Sam E Daniel McGrath wrote: > > Personaly, I'd rather have the ability to pay for American made Live > Steam Engines and have the chance to support U.S. workers with my > limited U.S. pay. I know, I must have been huffing butane > again. > > > >From: "Gary" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: Aster 3 cyl Shay >Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2004 08:34:30 -0700 > >In > 2003 January 2003 I purchased a Never Run 3 cyl Alisan Shay kit that > was >built up by Herr Schug for $2400.00 including shipping from > Germany. Things >are always expensive in current dollars and seem a > bargain later. Well, >almost always, there was an Alisan Shay for sale > in a hobby shop for the >last five years for a mere $5,500.00, so I > considered this new shay an >bargain opportunity. > >Calculating what > Iraqi's pay for gas per gallon ($0.05 isn't it?) and their >$1,000.00 > annual average pay . . . they are paying pretty close to the same > >percentage we pay if earning $40,000.00 per year. I don't think there > is >much of a market in Iraq for live steam en gines due to their > annual salary. >Perhaps they could produce live steam engines with > labor being low and >technology fairly high. > >Just spouting off . . > . >Steaming & Sparking over Terror Trestle in Eugene, Oregon ~ Gary > >http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy > >http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor > >Steve the > "dreamer--Dave the "spoiler"! My Aster Schools in 1975 was >$500. an > Aster DB78 kit in 1978 cost me $1400-- in 1979 I bought a two >truck > built up 3cyl Shay for $1400. It must be remembered that the Aster > >locos are much more improved now--so this also increases the price. > > >I like to dream--any time machines out there? > >Geoff. > > > -- > Get fast, reliable Internet access with MSN 9 Dial-up now 3 months > FREE!
Re: Wicks: Stainless Steel or Glass or ?
Jeff Runge told me about stainless mesh for my Mikado wicks. It has worked very well.Steve Speck At 12:28 PM 4/4/04 -0700, you wrote: I have installed stainless steel radiant burner type mesh in my Aster Alisan shay burners. All I did was cut the SS mesh into strips wide enough to bring the mesh about 10mm or 1/2 inch above the burner tube top. Next I rolled the SS mesh into a fairly tight roll before inserting it into the burner tube. I made two and use a standard wick for one burner. Why have one standard? By doctoral education taught me a basic principle . . . if you run out of material, just use what you have. I ran out of SS mesh and haven't ordered more yet. The mesh takes a little while to "wet with alcohol" after opening the valve. Be patient, because it won't light until it creeps up the mesh. Has anyone tried a bundle of pipettes * in an alcohol burner? I imagine the pipettes would be very efficient at transfering or wicking fuel up and probably wouldn't clog. I also expect that the glass walls of pipettes would need to be thin to allow more pipettes to be packed into a small space. One might need to pull his own pipettes to get thin enough tubes. * Pipette = small diameter glass tube used to transfer small amounts of liquid. Usually a chemist tool. Small diameter glass tubing can be heated and pulled to make very small diameter pipettes with thin glass walls. Steaming & Sparking over Terror Trestle in Eugene, Oregon ~ Gary http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor
Looking for: 3mm open end wrench / spanner
Anyone know were I might find a 3mm open end wrench? Our friends in England call them spanner's. Draper tools in England offers them, but are out of stock for a while. Thanks, Steve Speck.
RE: Steam Clubs
Geoff, sure was fun meeting you in person at Diamondhead. Try to keep your flanges to the track!!Steve Speck At 09:33 PM 2/16/04 -0800, you wrote: Chad, We have four steamers in rural Humboldt County! Like Gary, we are all members of the local garden railway club where "sparkies" rule! Well, we steamers spark too at times ( I don't mean sparks from the stacks!) but sparks from the wheels. I am really surprised that you do not know of more small scale live steamers in Phoenix--I bet there are some hiding out there somewhere! Geoff. We only have three people here in Phoenix that run live steam. I wish there >were more. >Chad > >-Original Message- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Behalf Of Gary >Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 11:22 AM >To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam >Subject: Steam Clubs > > >While our club is not a live steam club, we have five members with Guage One >live steam engines. Seattle, WA area has a sub-group of their club that >focuses on live steam. Our Emerald Empire GRS is too small to break into >smaller formal groups. In practice, some of us steam folk gather >episodically to run only live steam without the other's knowledge and >without offending anyone. > >Therefore, the best bet to locate small scale live steamers is to contact >nearby clubs that appear to be 100% sparky oriented. > >http://www.nmia.com/~vrbass/steam/stmorg.htm Vance Bass lists some >organizations dedicated to G1 steam that may be able to supply names to >contact. > >http://www.livesteaming.com/events/events.html Train meets for ride on >small scale steam > >http://ctgscalers.tripod.com/down_the_line.htm Another interesting resource >page I just found via www.google.com > >Steaming & Sparking over Terror Trestle in Eugene, Oregon ~ Gary >http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy >http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor > >
Re: G1MRA NL&J issue 200
Hello Clark. We missed you at Diamondhead along with other's from the list that usually make the trip. Steve Speck. At 03:47 PM 2/2/04 -0800, you wrote: Issue #200 arrived here in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA today, Feb 2, 2004. Pretty fast I'd say. G1MRA member Keith Bucklitch will be visiting our fair city on February 15, 16 and 17. He is returning from holiday in New Zealand and wants to visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We will be running trains on my large layout Monday evening upon his return from Arizona. Tuesday he will be driving back to Los Angeles via Death Valley California. Wednesday it will be a flight to the UK. Cheers Clark Clark B Lord - Las Vegas, Nevada USA Las Vegas Live Steamers - Gauge 1 live steam
Fwd: Re: Aster Mikado
Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2004 17:26:41 -0600 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: steve speck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Aster Mikado Hello John, Jeff is correct, if you do not change those springs on the back drivers the mikado usually sits low in the back. I contacted Norm Saley[EMAIL PROTECTED] about this. He took two springs, machined and fit a small brass plunger type tip on one end of each. The plunger tip fit into the axle box and the regular spring end fit over cut outs on frame. Some also take the two trailing truck springs and stretch them a little to help. I did both and the loco now sits what I consider to look correct. I think that at the time Norm had a few extra springs and kept the dimensions so he could make others for Mikado owners if need be. Steve Speck. At 12:04 PM 1/10/04 -0500, you wrote: Hi there gents! I am building a Mikado, and I was wondering if any of you know a source for replacement springs for the wheel journals. I have been warned by Jeff Runge that the springs are not stiff enough for the trailing driver, and I don't want my loco to "sag". Previous archived posts indicated purchasing cSc century springs from Lowes, but they do not carry the correct package anymore. (all WAY to big) Do any of you have an idea where else I might find them? Or even, if I am really lucky, do any of you have any extras? Thanks for your time, John
Re: Metric or standard?
Thanks Jim, yes it is a Aster Mikado. It looks like to have a good set of tools you need a little bit of everything. Where are the best places to find these speciality tools? Thanks again, Steve Speck. At 12:15 PM 9/19/03 +0800, you wrote: Hi Steve. B.A. is "British Association" - a British (surprise surprise!) thread system used for small sizes particularly in the British electrical industry. It is a number system, going from 0BA (=6mmOD) through to 16 BA (Tiny!). In general only the even numbers are in general use -0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. I think Roundhouse use 2, 4, 6, and 8, all standard BA sizes. I think their fillers, safety valves etc are another slightly odd English series the "Model Engineer" series. These are an imperial size series either 32 tpi or 40 tpi. I would suggest that you get a small set of even BA spanners or tube spanners, + a small adjustable wrench for fillers etc. The Mikado is a different proposition - are we talking an Aster Mikado, or some other brand? If it is an Aster then it is Metric but Aster use a number of non standard metric sizes. Sorry to be unhelpful there. Jim Gregg. At 10:32 PM 9/18/03 -0500, you wrote: I own a RH #24 and a Mikado. I plan to start looking for small tools to use on Loco's. Should I get metric or standard. I have also heard of the term BA wrenches, what does this refer too? Thanks, Steve Speck
Metric or standard?
I own a RH #24 and a Mikado. I plan to start looking for small tools to use on Loco's. Should I get metric or standard. I have also heard of the term BA wrenches, what does this refer too? Thanks, Steve Speck
Re: Phoenix's first steam up.
What a AWESOME lay out!!! Have fun, Steve Speck. At 02:39 PM 8/31/03 -0700, you wrote: We had our steam up two weeks ago at Terry Liesegang's house here in Glendale Arizona (suburb of Phoenix). The temp outside was 105 degrees and as you can imagine, it didn't take much to warm up our engines. Given the temp and the fact we only gave everyone a week's notice, the event was allot of fun and encouraged us to do it again every month. Robert Ashby was one of the attendees at the event and had never owned a model train in his life. He had so much fun at the event he went out the following week and bought himself an Accucraft Shay and a Ruby so now we have a new person in our hobby. If you would like to see the pictures and movies of the event I posted them on my web site. www.livesteamer.com Chad Schend
RE: Paying for my hobby
My Father in law is a great wood crafter. He makes furniture like they made it long ago. He only makes things for family members and a best friend or two. I asked him one day why he does not make furniture for sale. He explained to me that because of the hand work and time involved to produce this type of quality, that even if he asked for just the cost of wood and half of what his time is worth people would think that he was trying to charge to much. By the time that you tool up, by raw material, and spend the time to make short runs of loco parts, and then charge enough to make a fair profit you might run into the same situation. I may be wrong, but those are my thoughts on the topic. Steve Speck At 11:42 AM 7/7/03 -0700, you wrote: I know there is a market out there. It may be slow at first but the this end of the hobby is growing and we all know the worst thing that can happen is running a boiler dry. Even though I like to fill my boiler and tend to my engines I don't care to have to do it every 20-30 minutes. Anything to extend the run times of these engines would be a big benefit. Also we have a club here in Arizona that like to run schedules and do switching and whatnot. It's looks fun but because of the short run times and the fact that my engine usually run out of steam in the middle of a run, I can't participate. Chad -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Ray Baughman Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 8:51 AM To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Subject: Paying for my hobby My railroading is a very limited budget, and I've come up with a way to support my habit. I'm thinking of starting a small business making components for Gauge one live steam locomotives. A few examples are a check valve and an axle drive pump with built in bypass valve. I could also design and build custom components. I'm taking a simple survey to see if there is a market for this kind of work. If you have any comments, or you're might be looking for any of these or other components now or in the future, please respond to me offline. Ray
Fwd: Re: Sandy River #24 Modifications
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 19:27:01 -0500 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: steve speck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Sandy River #24 Modifications Jim, that is interesting. The reason I signed my last reply " Steve (looking forward to going back to Victoria) Speck is because I did not realize that Jeff was replying through steam group. We are both Mikado fans and I had told him about a 2 8 2 Mikado that I found in the town of Victoria Tx. about 120 miles from me. While not in running order, just about everything was still intact. I spent about 2 hours crawling all over that engine. What a great day that was. I was amazed at how Aster has replicated the real engine. Steve Speck. At 08:04 PM 6/17/03 -0400, you wrote: Jeff: The prototype middle driver was blind. Jim
Re: Sandy River #24 Modifications
Jim, that is interesting. The reason I signed my last reply " Steve (looking forward to going back to Victoria) Speck is because I did not realize that Jeff was replying through steam group. We are both Mikado fans and I had told him about a 2 8 2 Mikado that I found in the town of Victoria Tx. about 120 miles from me. While not in running order, just about everything was still intact. I spent about 2 hours crawling all over that engine. What a great day that was. I was amazed at how Aster has replicated the real engine. Steve Speck. At 08:04 PM 6/17/03 -0400, you wrote: Jeff: The prototype middle driver was blind. Jim
Sandy River #24 Modifications
Hello Group, I had been hearing rumors that Roundhouse was planning some changes on the #24. I E mailed them and this was the reply: They are revamping the SR&RL #24 and springing the chassis. The springs will give up and down movement only. Will help the model hold the track better and should increase the weight it can pull a little. The tender will be non-water carrying, as is the Fowlers, and a water top up system similar to the Darjeeling will be fitted that allows the boiler to be topped up using a pump bottle. This system cannot be fitted to older SR&RL #24's without replacing the complete boiler. Thought some might be interested, Steve Speck
Re: blower fans
The newer Aster fan is neat. It is all self contained with the batteries at top. Mine has worked great. Good Luck, Steve Speck At 06:28 AM 6/2/03 -0700, you wrote: My fear is that I'll spend more time gathering the parts than would be cost effective. Probably makes sense to commit to this addiction and buy quality the first time. Southern Steam Trains ? royce in SB Harry Wade wrote: At 06:52 PM 6/1/03 -0700, you wrote: Am going to need a blower fan for my Philly soon. Any suggestions? Royce, I broke down and bought the Aster fan, but for a while I had a home-made blower made from a Sanyo 1.6" x 1.6" 12v muffin fan. The heat didn't seem to affect it at all. Regards, Harry
Re: Good News
That is such great news!! Jim is a great person. He introduced live steam to myself and most of us here in the Houston area. I'll never forget the first time I called him about live steam. He had never met me and he said,"Well Steve, why don't you come over and steam this weekend". I was hooked! There is not a finer person in this hobby, Steve Speck At 12:16 PM 5/30/03 -0700, you wrote: Jim Crabb survived colon surgery last Wednesday morning. He had a polyp removed from the lower right portion of the large colon. It WAS NOT cancerous. All is clean and clear. He is in a private room and should be released Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. Should you want to call him, he can be reached at 281-523-2000 room 409. Thank you Jesus. Clark
Re: Long steam train
Hey Clark, sure looks like you know how to put on a Steamup!! Gary, you mean there is actually a sparkie runner out there that would rather not be running live steam? Steve Speck At 12:44 PM 5/29/03 -0700, you wrote: Gary and all: During my Fall steamup in October 2001 Kevin O'Connor used his Big Boy 4-8-8-4 locomotive to pull a 100 car train. It took us an hour to rail all the cars and get the boy into steam. After several switching moves to assemble the train we were finally underway. My main line track was 2.1 scale miles (346 feet) back then and we had a train length (140 feet) of just over 3/4 scale mile being pulled by one engine. Go to http://home.earthlink.net/~clarklord/BigBoy100/ to see some photos. The photos labeled front and rear 100 are the long train photos. We determined the track was a bit oily and uneven in places so the Big Boy would lose traction on one or the other of its engines. After two laps with the 100 car train we cut off about half the train leaving 52 cars. All the rest of the photos show the 52 car train being pulled with ease by the Big Boy. In the photo of the train rounding the East end (bboncircle.jpg) and coming down the South main (bbplus52cars) you are seeing 70 feet of train. That's just shy of a 1/2 scale mile train. Because my layout has long (70 foot +) sidings we can accommodate a lot of cars all at once. The present version of the layout now has two 305 foot main lines side by side and lots of sidings. There are 8 steamup locations and 1 functioning ash dump pit for the coal burners. Additionally there is a separate 20 foot diameter circle of track inside the East loop. The photos larrysmike 1 & 2 .jpg are of Larry Bangham's Mikado pulling a 20 car freight during the October 2002 meet. This was among the first runs on the newly constructed track. Images Construction 1, 2 & 3 show work done last October 2002. Image liftbridge.jpg shows the CAD drawing of the scale bascule bridge which allows easy access to the center of the layout. And image phase4.jpg shows the relative size of the layout when placed in my 125 wide by 100 foot deep yard. Those are 10 foot grid squares placed over the drawing. As far as long trains go, any of the large Aster engines can pull a 30 car train (on clean level track) with ease. By large I mean the Daylight, Big Boy, Mikado, Western Maryland Shay, and several of the European outline engines. We have had all of these engines visit my track. We run 20 car freight trains and 6-8 heavyweight passenger car trains. Sorry but I don't own any more passenger cars. Someday we will have a 20 car Daylight train set to pull. That will be a sight for sure. On the narrow gauge front several of the fellows are collecting a bunch of the Accucraft 1:20.3 cars. So we are seeing 10-15 car narrow gauge cars being pulled by the K-27's. The image yard.jpg shows 3 trains with more than 10 cars each. To see a report on my Spring 2003 steamup go to http://www.steamup.com/ and click on "What's New". There you go Gary. Proof positive that long trains can be pulled by live steamers. I have personally pulled a 35 car freight with my Aster 2-8-2 Mikado and a 30 coal car train with my Aster Western Maryland Shay. Cheers Clark Lord, Las Vegas Live Steamers for Gauge One. A short commercial. Why don't you (all of you out there) join us during the National Summer Steamup being held the next week after the National Garden Railway Convention in Sacramento, California. Check it out at http://www.summersteamup.com/ Click on the photo to see the details. We will have over 600 feet of track available for you to run upon. Last year we had a 20 car Daylight train running. Nice. CBL Gary wrote: > > Anyone have any photos of long live steam guage one trains? A friend thinks > a 30 car consist hauled by three sparky diesels is a long train. I would > like to knock his brain cells for a loop with a photo of a really long live > steam consist. > > Send photo or url to: Gary Lane [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > He is a diesel sparky fan who loves to deride steam. Give me some photo > ammo! > > Gary - Straightening hump on Terror Trestle in Eugene, Oregon > http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy > http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor >
Re: Survey is posted
Hey Jeff, I also prefer alcohol fired engines. The reason is that I like having a blower on the engine. It seems more realistic adjusting the blower and steam regulator to the load being pulled. It is interesting and fun to get the two just right. Steve Speck. At 03:53 PM 3/23/03 -0500, you wrote: Walt, I'm not critsizing what you did, but this is from someone who prefers meth over gas. Did you build a new boiler for the Reno, or did you build a gas burner that fit in place of the original burner? That smithies boiler was always tempermental, is it better with gas firing? I'm one of those that started with a Frank S and after building an 8550 from kit, I found gas firing.. too "easy" ? I also feel more comfortable when doing maintanence on engines that I have built. And I just like the "hands on" of the meth firing I think. The more controls to play with the more fun! My last engine was the Mike I built when they first came out,several years ago. It looks like it will be a long wait for another meth fired u.s. mainline engine ( I can't spend 20k for Asters H-8 ) Accucraft is doing a nice job for the Narrow gauge, gas fired market, and I think this is very good for the hobby. Sorry to say the used market is very hi for used aster u.s. mainline. I know I'm in the minority in this hobby ( I also enjoy driving a manual transmission vehicles) but after I get these taxes paid, I willl resume looking BTW any pics of the track expansion? Jeff in NC
RE: Survey is posted
Thanks for doing this survey. I find it very interesting and fun to watch.Steve Speck. At 09:50 AM 3/23/03 -0500, you wrote: Hi Folks, The survey results are posted for the first 148 respondents I have so far. I won't make any observations about the data, but I did find it very interesting and surprising. I will update the data each week or whenever I get at least 10 more responses. Thank you for taking part in the survey. Maybe it will do some good. The results can be found by going to http://home.twcny.rr.com/twinlakesrw and clicking on the Survey Results link on the left side. My Best, Chuck Charles W. Walters Twin Lakes Railway CEO http://home.twcny.rr.com/twinlakesrw -Original Message- From: Chuck Walters [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 9:29 AM To: Small Scale Live Steam Subject: Survey is posted Hi Folks, The survey is posted. If you would like to take part, please go to http://home.twcny.rr.com/twinlakesrw and click on the survey link on the left side. When I get enough responses, I will post the results and then update it thereafter. Pass the word. I truly would like to see what my peers are doing and what they want from future live steam offerings. My Best, Chuck Charles W. Walters Twin Lakes Railway CEO http://home.twcny.rr.com/twinlakesrw
Re: Back to O rings
Hey Jeff, as great as that Mike of yours runs, I think I would leave well enough alone!! Steve S. At 07:18 AM 3/12/03 -0500, you wrote: Mike, a few years back I tried "O" rings in place of packing on my aster 8550 mogul. They worked great when new, but after sitting for a few weeks they leaked. I would put a new set in and it ran great the rest of the weekend. So I am back to packing. After building the Mike I am thinking about making new pistons and using a set of piston rings. The mogul has twin 13mm cyls.( it was originally a single cyl. version) same as the Mike. - Original Message - From: "Mike Chaney" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Multiple recipients of sslivesteam" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, March 12, 2003 3:53 AM Subject: Re: Back to O rings > Bob asked:- > > > << There is no reason for the piston to touch the cylinder wall >> > > > OK Mike, I realize that it need not, but how come there are countless books > > written with chapters on the process of good running fits on pistons? > > Probably because they weren't written by me. I believe a close fit is necessary > if you're using cast iron piston rings or cotton packing, but I have no > experience of these. The method I use is commonly used by proponents of O > rings, however. > > It works! > > Mike > >
RE: Bronze Dee parts
I'm proud to say something about our President. He is doing an INCREDIBLE JOB!! He is cleaning up 8 LONG years of problems left to him. As far as the election goes, have you ever heard of the electoral college? GREAT PATRIOTS much smarter than you or I drafted the plan a while back. What else do you want to change in our Constitution? Steve S. At 08:10 PM 3/11/03 -0700, you wrote: Well, I could say a lot about our president who was elected by less than half of the less than half who vote. And about France, who think that they are still a world power But it's best not to, as there are far more appropriate forums for that discussion Ken > > So is Mother Country happy with it's progeny? > Sure wish I knew why US government isn't willing to go along with France's > proposed 30-45 day warning to Iraq. > Very nice page I had not seen before Jim! > Thanks > Gary - Running trains over Terror Trestle in Eugene, Oregon > http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy > http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor >
Re: Alisan plume?
I have a Mikado and a RH #24. The #24 always has a plume but the Mikado seldom does. I have ben told the reason is that the #24 is giving off much more saturated (wet) steam, while the Mikado gives off much drier steam. I guess it makes since, the Mikado has 5 flues pulling fire through them via draft while the #24 only has one gas fired flue. Even though the #24 has a great looking plume, the Mikado blows much more through the stack and is much hotter. I would think that while the wetter steam looks better out the stack, the drier steam is more efficient. Any other thoughts on this would be appreciated.Steve. At 05:38 PM 2/25/03 -0800, you wrote: OK, another naieve question. The Steamlines Shay, Ted's Roundhouse 7/8th scale Porter, and the Frank S all have obvious plumes from the smokestack during cold weather. This Alisan Shay runs almost plume free. The pop offs offer evidence that steam is powering the critter, but only episodic plumes occur from the smoke stack and those usually when the engine starts from a stop. Any hypothesis occur to any of you, let me know. Is it a real efficient engine? Does the exhaust cool too much to cause a plume or could the exhaust be too hot and the steam dry? Curious in Oregon Gary - Photos of Alisan shay look like the loco is cold except for the pop offs. http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor
Re: Geoff wants a fire
AFTER ALL THAT WORK, you may have to move?Steve in Houston. At 06:36 PM 2/24/03 -0800, you wrote: If we move, which is highly likely, and the new owners do not want to buy the layout, I think a trestle fire would be the right ending. I will have to video tape the fire. Now I need ideas. Torch a Bachmann with the caption, "I'm melting! I'm melting!"? Just burn the trestle after removing rail and ties. Of course the pine tree would be in danger of also burning...hmmm. Fire Marshall might have a thought or two on burning the trestle. Gary - Running trains over Terror Trestle in Eugene, Oregon http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor Hey--watch the fire on that trestle--if you run out of water and lose the draft, the alcohol may drip on the ties of the trestle-- fire in the hold-- I mean, fire on the trestle--the fire of the century!! Geoff.
Re: Alisan Shay
Gary, I am happy for you. I also think that you made the right choice in having him finish assembly. Let us know how it runs when you receive it. Good Luck, Steve S. At 07:34 PM 12/10/02 -0800, you wrote: Actually Steve, I found the Alisan Shay on a German shop's page http://www.mbv-schug.de/english-version/index.htm The shay was listed on the "OnLine Shop". Then click on "Special Offers" then "Aster". Of course Herr Schug has removed the Alisan Shay listing. This Alisan Shay is a never built kit. Apparantly a fellow bought it and started the chassis then returned it to Herr Schug. He is assembling the loco for me. While I love to assemble things and do a good careful job. Since this kit is 25 years old, I expect gaskets and seals may be brittle, Lorenz will be able to replace those seals as he assembles the shay. I would have to order the parts and assembly would take a lot longer. Gary - awaiting a shay in Eugene, Oregon http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor - Original Message - From: steve speck To: Multiple recipients of sslivesteam Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 7:16 PM Subject: Re: Steam oil Hello Gary, did you win the auction for the one on E Bay a couple of weeks back? It looked like it was in excellent shape. Keep us posted on how it turns out. Steve S. At 03:14 PM 12/10/02 -0800, you wrote: >Shays are my favorite as well. I am so excited about the arrival of my Aster >Alisan Shay. I have wanted one for fifteen years at least. Has anyone put >R/C in an Alisan Shay? >Gary - wet and cold after cutting a Grand Fir in Eugene, Oregon >http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy >http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor > > >At last an intertesting comment. Oh yes the fishing is excellent. Large > >ones, small ones and some.. > >Starting to sound like a song from many years ago. > >OK Elk River & Cheat Mountain RR. It started in HO as the first brass loco >I > >bought was Elk River #3 and as I love Shays etc, in fact my nick name here >in > >my 5" live steam club is the Shay Lover. > >Anyway Cass Scenic Railroad is on Cheat Mountain where there are Shays, > >Climaxes and Heislers, thus Elk River & Cheat Mountain Railroad was born. >In > >scales from HO, Fn3 and 5" gge. > > > > > > > > 73, John de VK2XGJ > > General Manager > >Elk River & Cheat Mountain Railroad > > > > > > >
Re: Steam oil
Hello Gary, did you win the auction for the one on E Bay a couple of weeks back? It looked like it was in excellent shape. Keep us posted on how it turns out. Steve S. At 03:14 PM 12/10/02 -0800, you wrote: Shays are my favorite as well. I am so excited about the arrival of my Aster Alisan Shay. I have wanted one for fifteen years at least. Has anyone put R/C in an Alisan Shay? Gary - wet and cold after cutting a Grand Fir in Eugene, Oregon http://www.angelfire.com/or/trainguy http://community.webshots.com/user/raltzenthor At last an intertesting comment. Oh yes the fishing is excellent. Large >ones, small ones and some.. >Starting to sound like a song from many years ago. >OK Elk River & Cheat Mountain RR. It started in HO as the first brass loco I >bought was Elk River #3 and as I love Shays etc, in fact my nick name here in >my 5" live steam club is the Shay Lover. >Anyway Cass Scenic Railroad is on Cheat Mountain where there are Shays, >Climaxes and Heislers, thus Elk River & Cheat Mountain Railroad was born. In >scales from HO, Fn3 and 5" gge. > > > > 73, John de VK2XGJ > General Manager >Elk River & Cheat Mountain Railroad >
Re: Steam oil
Hello, why not just use the oil that Round House supplies for their engines? You can get it from any Round House dealer. I use it in my #24 and also my Mikado. Seems to work fine for me. Good luck, Steve S. At 09:24 AM 12/8/02 -0600, you wrote: At 11:15 PM 12/8/02 +1100, you wrote: >Hi All, >I've been using some #460 steam oil that I acquired but it is just about >finished. I have access to #600 steam oil but I think that that might be a >little too heavey for my Roundhouse SR&RL #24 loco. Comments please. John, Stay with the 460. Regards, Harry Wade Nashville, Tn
Re: Instant Aster Collection
Thanks Harry, that is the only point I was trying to make. Most things that are of quality, and produced in a limited run appreciate in value, not just loco's. I also do not hold it against someone to make that appreciation or profit at time of sale. Also, what's the big deal if someone does not have the time or want to run the wheels off there loco's and do enjoy them on display and only run them occasionally? $16,000 looks more reasonable when you factor all this in. But the great thing is that you do not have to spend that kind of money to enjoy live steam. Look at all the new inexpensive loco's that are out there from Roundhouse and others. Steve S. At 11:11 AM 11/17/02 -0600, you wrote: At 09:30 AM 11/17/02 -0600, you wrote: >Try to get someone to custom machine, fit and finish a Big Boy to Aster >standards, and then assemble it for you. Let's say that there was no Aster Big Boy but you wanted a custom builder to make one for you to the same or better technical, mechanical, and appearance standard as the Aster. The time/cost of development, engineering and mastering, one such a model would far exceed the time/cost of construction. At least with Aster the development costs are spread out over several hundred units and thus put them within reach of someone. Regards, Harry
Re: Instant Aster Collection
Try to get someone to custom machine, fit and finish a Big Boy to Aster standards, and then assemble it for you. Even if you found someone that could do this for you, I believe that the time and expense that this would involve for a master metal worker and model builder to do such a job would make the $16,000.00 seem reasonable. Think what would be involved to set up tooling, then to make each part, fit each part, finish, then make it all work.Steve S. At 04:22 AM 11/17/02 -0800, you wrote: Unfired or not, anyone who pays $16,000 for a Big Boy is a SUCKER!!! $13,000 for a Daylight is, of course, way off base also. Neither 'Buy it Now' has been taken yet (and I don't think anyone will). Mint Condition: Big Boy = $10k - $12k Daylight = $8k - $10 I'll wait for Accucraft's Cab Forward to blow a ton of cash...
Fwd: Re: instant Aster collection
Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2002 22:59:27 -0600 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: steve speck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: instant Aster collection Why all the negative responses? Who knows, maybe these loco's are just like the seller says, and since he may have purchased them at original issue price they have become a great return for his investment. Has anyone checked what CD's are paying lately...? Steve S. At 08:07 AM 11/15/02 +, you wrote: On 15/11/02 6:23, "Tom Hudson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm surprised at the number of live steam locos on sale at eBay and other > sites that say the owner only ran them once or twice. Sad. While I never say how many steam locomotives I have (in case this information gets back to the present Mrs Gorton) -all are working locomotives and all have been altered and improved. When I read about these sad sack collections I am always reminded of Donald Ducks uncle, sitting bad temperedly on his pile of gold. -- Yours Aye Tag Gorton Longlands & Western Railway Trematon Office Saltash Cornwall Directors: T. Gorton, Madame E. Lash
Fwd: Re: Thank You!
>Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2002 09:47:03 -0500 >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: steve speck <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: Thank You! > >Well said, I totally agree!! >Steve Speck > > >At 08:25 AM 8/26/02 -0400, you wrote: >>Dave, >> >>Thanks for the vital communication link that you provide to >>our hobby through >>the SSLivesteam listserv. It keeps us connected, informed >>and inspired. >> >>Jim Pitts >> >>
