Just joined

This topic has 12 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 September 2013 at 04:40 by RobertInOntario.

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

Author

Posts
30 August 2013 at 01:53 #128190
RobertInOntario
Participant
@robertinontario
I have literally just joined this forum and look forward to chatting with members & learning more about live steam.

I'm pretty much a raw beginner. For the past 9-10 years, I have modelled British 00 (also North American HO) train layouts in my basement in Toronto. We've also visited several heritage railways over the years, here in Canada, the US and the UK.

During the past 1-2 years, my 10-year-old son & I have joined an excellent live steam club about 40 minutes north of Toronto. We've really enjoyed helping out there, especially this summer. We don't own a loco yet but I'd obviously like to have one — possibly over the next few years.

I have various questions about which are the best starter locos, etc. Also, cost is a major concern, as I would have to budget over the years for this!

Thanks,

Rob
Advert

30 August 2013 at 01:53 #6853
RobertInOntario
Participant
@robertinontario
30 August 2013 at 07:24 #128194
Springbok
Participant
@springbok
Firstly,
Rob welcome to the forum, I have no idea what loco's cost in canada, It really depends on gauge etc; why not have a chat with some of the members of your club letting them know you wish to get one.
Bob
30 August 2013 at 08:34 #128197
jason udall
Participant
@jasonudall57142
As to cost. .well there are two at least types there…parts/material and time..both are in there own way limited. . And unfortunately they pull in opposite directions. ..
30 August 2013 at 13:41 #128222
Another JohnS
Participant
@anotherjohns
Hi Robert;

I presume you mean the Richmond Hill Live Steamers? The members that I know are all good people – it's a good club.

I know that they used to have 5" gauge on their ground level track, but I *believe* that it is now disused, after their expansion a few years ago.

The elevated is 3-1/2, and 4-3/4" gauge – I don't think there's a 5" gauge rail there.

I mention this only because Britain uses 5" gauge, whilst most of North America uses 4-3/4" – so beware of any kits from the UK, if this is your chosen route.

There is a 5" rail on the Kingston track, and Ottawa is 5" gauge, NOT 4-3/4" – what a mess!

Put the word out to local club members. You never know what's for sale; locomotives do come up once in a while.

Another JohnS.
30 August 2013 at 14:05 #128223
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Are you thinking only of steam? Your son might not want to wait until he leaves University for you to finish it.

You could consider an initial electric loco to get going faster. A company in the UK, Compass House do designs based on a wheel pair and motor as a self contained unit which I think they sell separately ( not on the website but worth an enquirey).. So for example their 0-6-0 shunter uses 3 sets with a welded steel box chassis and a glassfibre box body (British class 08 diesel shunter). You could knock the shassis up and select a local outline for the body. Making the body in plywood would be within the scope of a 10yr old. Building a 5 in steam boiler less so (Q ten posts from people who built express locos while still in nappies)
30 August 2013 at 14:06 #128224
RobertInOntario
Participant
@robertinontario
Thanks for these messages and info about cost, gauges, etc.

John, yes, it is the Richmond Hill club that we jointed. It's a great club and the members there are all great. I'd probably be most invested in a 3.5" gauge or possibly a 4-3/4" gauge loco for their high line. (I do believe they removed their 5" gauges track.)

I'll see what comes up over time through the club and 1-2 other contacts I have.

Thanks again, Rob
30 August 2013 at 14:11 #128225
RobertInOntario
Participant
@robertinontario
Posted by Bazyle on 30/08/2013 14:05:29:

Are you thinking only of steam? Your son might not want to wait until he leaves University for you to finish it.

You could consider an initial electric loco to get going faster. A company in the UK, Compass House do designs based on a wheel pair and motor as a self contained unit which I think they sell separately ( not on the website but worth an enquirey).. So for example their 0-6-0 shunter uses 3 sets with a welded steel box chassis and a glassfibre box body (British class 08 diesel shunter). You could knock the shassis up and select a local outline for the body. Making the body in plywood would be within the scope of a 10yr old. Building a 5 in steam boiler less so (Q ten posts from people who built express locos while still in nappies)

Thanks, this is a good option, especially if I could find something in 3.5" gauge. Still good but not as much fun! I'll google Compass House's website or contact them as you suggest.
31 August 2013 at 20:30 #128312
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
Robert, you might look up JE Nystrom's Quickie loco on the web. JE is a prolific model engineer in Finland who has designed and made several steam and electric locos. His Quickie is a 4 wheel electric switch engine for 7 1/2" gauge track. It is to a European style diesel switch engine outline but could be changed easily to a British or Canadian outline. It is powered by a car battery and I believe has a simple controller and uses a 12 V motor from a car scrap yard, either a wiper motor or starter motor. Frames and running gear are very basic and may be built without welding. It was designed to be made quickly, hence the name. If you need any welding or machining/heavy drilling work for the chassis of a simple engine, but don't have the equipment, PM me – I'm in Waterloo Ontario and can probably help you out.

JD
1 September 2013 at 12:13 #128347
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
Quite interesting little loco (Quickie), it's got a 24 V wiper motor, with a 12 t gear in the motor, to a 100 t gear, at first it was driven by a toothed belt, 18 t :40 t but that broke. whole lot made in less than 48hrs, looks alright to me. Ian S C
1 September 2013 at 15:11 #128355
RobertInOntario
Participant
@robertinontario
Posted by Jeff Dayman on 31/08/2013 20:30:21:

Robert, you might look up JE Nystrom's Quickie loco on the web. JE is a prolific model engineer in Finland who has designed and made several steam and electric locos. His Quickie is a 4 wheel electric switch engine for 7 1/2" gauge track. It is to a European style diesel switch engine outline but could be changed easily to a British or Canadian outline. It is powered by a car battery and I believe has a simple controller and uses a 12 V motor from a car scrap yard, either a wiper motor or starter motor. Frames and running gear are very basic and may be built without welding. It was designed to be made quickly, hence the name. If you need any welding or machining/heavy drilling work for the chassis of a simple engine, but don't have the equipment, PM me – I'm in Waterloo Ontario and can probably help you out.

JD

The Quickie loco sounds good. I'll google it online. It would be interesting to find out how easily one could purchase them in Canada. Thanks for suggesting this.

We have friends in Waterloo and often visit there. Just curious, is there a live steam club in Waterloo or do you need to drive to the clubs in Milton or Hamiltion?

R

Edited By RobertInOntario on 01/09/2013 15:12:28
1 September 2013 at 22:36 #128385
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
Hi Robert,

There is no live steam club in Waterloo. There is a club for steam traction engines and tractor collectors that meets once a year north on Heidelberg Ontario, but that's the only steam club I know of locally. Milton and Hamilton are the closest ones. I have been to the Richmond Hill club many years ago,

I don't model locomotives because of the lack of nearby tracks, but prefer making steam construction equipment and stationary engines. Current project is a 1 1/2" scale steam roller. My own yard is not nearly large or flat enough for a 7 1/2" gauge track for large locos. Maybe someday there will be a local track and I'll build a 7 1/2" gauge CN #6402 streamlined 4-8-4…..if I win the lottery!

JD
2 September 2013 at 04:40 #128392
RobertInOntario
Participant
@robertinontario
Posted by Jeff Dayman on 01/09/2013 22:36:08:

I don't model locomotives because of the lack of nearby tracks, but prefer making steam construction equipment and stationary engines. Current project is a 1 1/2" scale steam roller. My own yard is not nearly large or flat enough for a 7 1/2" gauge track for large locos. Maybe someday there will be a local track and I'll build a 7 1/2" gauge CN #6402 streamlined 4-8-4…..if I win the lottery!

JD

Thanks for your note, JD. Sounds interesting. Yes, I could do with winning the lottery as well! Or, if I sold all of my HO and 00 locos, I could probably afford a 3.5" steamer…
Author

Posts