This is my first post on Trainboard, and a report on my newest acquisition-a Hornby live steam locomotive-OO scale. The brief version is that it really works, and is really cool (or hot). Having said that I must report that it is very hard to control, it takes a lot of practice and anticipation to keep it from running away and throwing itself off the track, a process I had to repeat about ten times before I began to get the hang of it. I bought a kit consisting of a locomotive (A-3 Papyrus) a steam controller, and a 4x8 oval of track. The packaging is sepctacular. very well made and extra thick cardboard with a manual and cd, gloves (it gets hot), syringes for adding distilled water and oil, and oil and water. Very complete and everything I needed to get it up and running. I read extensively on how to operate this engine, and everyone (correctly) says that it is an acquired skill. After filling it with water and oil you switch the controller to "superheat" which runs all the heating elements at max till you make steam. This takes about seven minutes. You know when it is ready because it blows steam out of the steam vents. When it is thoroughly warmed up you switch the controller to "run" which will maintain steam and according to the directions, give you about 20 minutes of running time-I have gotton 30 minutes out of a boiler full-but it takes practice. Once you are steamed up, you advance the throttle till the whistle blows, (sounds pretty good) then stops blowing, and then- this is the important part- from that point on you advance the throttle slowlley and gradually with small flicks-5 to 15 flicks to get it moving. This is the hard part- if you get the throttle open too much, it takes forever (usually after it has run off the track) to reduce the throttle and the speed. SO you have to be patient. About 5 flicks and then wait ten seconds for it to creep away (it creeps real well) and then you can increase speed a flick at a time-too much and it will run away, but eventually you get the hang of it. On the second evening of running, about the 5th boiler full of water, I managed to run it a full 29 minute session without mishap. Reversing takes more practice and it actually has a reversing gear which responds to the throttle differantally. I can now run it foreward, stop it, reverse it and run it backward at fast and slow speeds. It is great fun! It is real steam in about an HO size, it really works, and works well. It also smokes out of the smokestack, vents steam out of the vents, throws oil everywhere, makes a wonderfull mess and smells. I am overwhelmed with how well it is designed, and how well it works. I have no cars to pull with it, but am trying to find some somewhere. OO scale is hard to find here in the USA. I am impressed and this is a keeper.
Welcome to TrainBoard. You will enjoy the visit. The Steam Loco does sound COOL even if it is HOT. Gary
