Along with guns I like

[Tom-ADC]

Trains these are just too cool!! I need a bigger yard!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=6VAuPPufNro

[a.squibload]

And they're powerful. I like the gear-drive, there's a full
size like that out of Silver Plume you can ride through the
mountains.

[Echo]

Way cool!

[Bad Water Bill]

When can we come over for a ride? [smilie=w:

[Blacksmith]

My brother plays with trains. Some of the pictures on this web site are of him and his toys.
http://www.avwrr.org/

Here is a photo album of overhauling Little Toot the small engine at Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association in Pennsylvania.
http://www.roughandtumble.org/rt-albums/rt_LtlToot_rebuild/rt_photo_LtlTootRbld.asp

[Bad Water Bill]

Thanks for the post. Very interesting.

Any idea what the price tag would be on one of those toys?

[looseprojectile]

that a hobby like that would be habit forming much like casting and shooting.
Most of those looked like museum scale models.
So many fun things to do and so little time.


Life is good

[smokeywolf]

Back in about 1990, my father sold a very nice Winchester model 64 219 zipper, an old original model '94 trapper's model 30-30, and one or two others, to fund his live steam choo-choo hobby. When he passed away, I liquidated the train goodies plus a bunch of RC airplane engines and parts, for money to care for my mother.

[Sasquatch-1]

I ONCE looked into purchasing something like that. A cheap non discript electric that doesn't even look like a train was running about $20,000. Decided I would just have to settle for looking at the videos on line.

If you are ever in the Martinsburg, WV area, the old train station (that is depicted in the Kunzler print "Jackson Commendeers the Railroad") that is downtown has a Shay locomotive of that scale in the lobby. The workmanship is incredible and the guy built it from memory of when he worked in the locomotive shop at Cass, WV.

[WILCO]

Thanks for the post. Very interesting.

Any idea what the price tag would be on one of those toys?

Live steam can be expensive Bill, but just like every other hobby, it depends on what you want to do. I once visited a live steam club where some members were running locomotives powered by vacuum motors and deep cycle marine batteries.

Here's some links:

Book on getting started: http://www.discoverlivesteam.com/books/books.html

Locomotive going for $15,000.00: http://discoverlivesteam.com/discoverforsale/forsale/1_banning/index.htm

Purchase a piece of rolling stock, such as a Flat Car and have it pulled by someone else while you ride:

http://www.plumcovestudios.com/phlatt_01.html

"NEW TO THE HOBBY?
If you’re just getting into large scale model railroading, rolling stock (freight cars) are a good place to start. Just having a car or two will allow you to join any one of the many "Live Steam" clubs that dot New England (We’ll even give you a list of clubs.). Although they’re nice to have, you don’t need a steam locomotive. Many "Live Steamers" have built engines, but have no cars. As a result, they’re often willing to pull other people’s cars. It’s a win-win situation, and is a great way for you to join the hobby. (And don't forget to check out our wonderful new locomotive, the "Generic Electric".)

Put your Phlatt cars to work. Live Steam clubs are always evolving and are constantly seeking vibrant new members to help with the expansion and maintenance of trackage. Phlatt cars are perfect for that work: hauling track panels, gravel, tools and even passengers to the project site."

Thanks for posting the video Tom! Live steam has a special place in my heart.

[WILCO]

Here's an Electrical Locomotive:

http://www.plumcovestudios.com/electro_01.html

[41 mag fan]

Friend of ours was into the trains like that. had it set up in his yard, I guess he sold it and recently got into the trains that are indoors.
Has it set up all over the house about 5-6' high. Funny thing is, the cars and locomotives are no bigger than a Zippo lighter. But the details on them are amazing.

[Blacksmith]

My brother has built a Steam engine and several gas engine powered and electric locomotives, some for other people. If you are retired and don't value your time making them is the way to go.

You can also find places that will let you volunteer and use their equipment. Rough and Tumble Engineers Historical Association in Kinzer Pennsylvania teaches a Steam School every spring. Thats where the volunteers learn how to operate stationary steam engines, steam traction engins, Little Toot, and the 3/4 size Shay Engine. We also have a working Blacksmith Shop, numerous hit and miss engines, and one group is building a machine shop powered by overhead line shaft.

Here is last years steam school.
http://www.roughandtumble.org/rt-albums/rt-2011_sch//rt_stm_schl_2011_index.html

Here is a video of the Shay Engine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sCKMuyQj8A&feature=related

Here is the story of our largest gas engine The Cooper:
Horsepower - 485 hp at 125 rpm
Two Cylinders
Bore - 21.5"
Stroke - 36"
http://www.roughandtumble.org/rt-albums/rt-cooper_engine/rt_cover_cooper.asp

There are links here to thousands of other pictures from over the years. If something interests you plan a trip to visit us, the big show Threasherman's Reunion is in August 15-18, and it will take you more than a day to see everything.
http://www.roughandtumble.org/rt_photos.asp

[Valley Forge]

Outstanding! Thank you for sharing this. For anybody in the L.A. area, there is a group called "L.A. Live Steamers " <www.lals.org>over in Griffith Park that invites the public on Sundays.

[Cherokee]

Really cool !! I like model trains but those are a different aminal.

[Tom-ADC]

Just found out we have one close also but I can't believe I didn't know about it.

http://www.chulavistalivesteamers.com/

[Beagle333]

:)Really neat! Who don't like trains!?!

(I could spend a good weekend looking at those)

[Chicken Thief]

Man that 3 cylinder inline is something else, mecanical nightmare and true beauty.

[TCLouis]

Full sized Narrow gauge from

Durango to Silverton

Antonito to Chama