A correction to my BR-96 post. It should have read ".. the exhaust from the high
pressure cylinders feeds through a length of silicon tubing to the LOW pressure
cylinders." I don't have any specs or details on the prototype BR-96. The model is
superheated and also has a feed water heater. On another subject, I recently visited
the Aster factory in Japan and saw the Lion, due out in November, and the prototype
Allegheny which will be finished sometime next year. The Lion is neat but the
Allegheny
is awesome. It will sell for about $18000 and only a small number will be produced.
It
is not for a beginner - assembly is difficult. The Lion will go for around $1000. The
Allegheny must be seen to be appreciated however its detail to scale has made for some
fragile parts especially in the valve gear linkage. The Lion appears to be robust and
easy for a first time builder to assemble. I am particularly fond of the early British
locomotives - they have a charm which looks right at home in the garden.
Nick Wantiez
