I am posting this one for a coworker as I didn’t know the answer either. He is interested in building a live steam model. We had discussed the 1:12 ride on units but for what he is looking at that would be rather large. My question on this is: Are there any plans out there or has anyone built a G-scale live steam engine? (I think he is looking at building it for the experience. He is into alternative energy sources.) The type of engine he specially mentioned was the 4-4-0s of Transcontinental Railroad Golden Spike fame. Anything I get from this I will forward to him.
I have been made aware of the Accucraft Live Steam model but my source wasn’t sure if this was available as a kit
As usual, thank you for your assistance with my inquiry.
As far as I know, there are no plans or kits available for 4-4-0 live-seam locos. Accucraft had a kit for an 0-4-0 (called Ruby). That may still be available. Aster offers several kits, all quite pricey and complicated.
If your friend has a lathe, there are plans available for a simple 0-4-0T that he can build from scratch. The engine can be seen here: http://www.sidestreet.info/locos/loco19.html
Thanks for the links Marc. (Sp?) I have been browsing for live steam designs to use in 7/8” scale but most, including Kozo’s examples are 3/4” standard gauge. Any thoughts? p.s. However will this hobby do without you at the helm?!
If you aren’t set on scratchbuilding, several people have modified Accucraft’s “Emma” with good results. Eric Schade’s article a few issues back gives a good example of changing the 0-4-0T into an 0-4-2 Forney.
If you do want to scratchbuild, there are a couple of options. One is a French Decauville industrial loco, for which free plans are available here: http://jpduval.free.fr/Lv020de45%20plans.htm
Regner offers kits that are prepainted and just need assembly and can be bought in stages to spread out the cost. As does Roundhouse Engineering, but you will need to paint and soft solder the brass body work toghther during the assembly process. A small butane torch from the local hardware store and some metal clamps to hold things in place while you solder makes this work a snap. Aster, now merged with Accucraft makes some stunning kits but that is a whole different price level(think price of a good used car). For scratch building, look for the books from LBSC(Curley Lawerence) that while written decades ago, have some excellent plans in both O and G/1 gauge that can be built and render excellent runners when done correctly. Mike the Aspie