Wow, with all the problems people seem to be having with recent steam locos (LL, Con Cor, MP, etc.), it seems reasonable to start a boycott until the manufacturers get their acts together. "Hmm... I gotta give up my sauna...?"
Just did MAJOR surgery on my LL 2-8-4 this weekend. 1. shortened drawbar, replaced with .015 aluminum. 2. Changed drawbar pivot point to just behind #4 axle - post. Same as rear truck pivots on. 3. Changed wiper drawbar over to real wires. 4. Junked rear accumate to MT 1015. 5. Filled boiler top with lead, boiler front with lead, under boiler with lead on pilot. 6. Repainted cab for prep for painting to PM #1225, opened up cab windows. Very scary. But worth it. Man, does it run good now. And looks even better with the 4' cab to tender gap gone. But the rail climb issue on curves is GONE. Chris 333 is going even farther, but we've been trading notes this weekend.
If they are junk or jewels, Get whatever steam you see, that you might be able to use. Here today, gone tomorrow. Remember there was a 10 year period where only 2 or 3 N steamers were even released. Only 3 years ago did steam make a comeback. It has always been finicky, and always will, but that's part of the fun... making your balky steamer run like a jeweled watch.
Did you read (I think it was on the Atlas forum) that adding weight to the boiler throws the balance off and causes extremely fast wear on the ???-"crankpins"-??? [Sorry, I'm not very knowledgeable about steam terminology]. I'm not saying that WILL happen, but someone mentioned at least the possibility it will happen. "Hmm... it's all Greek to me..."
Dee- My apologies. I certainly should have known the difference after those special tender moments. Randgust- You actually made a great argument for staying with non steam. Not a lot of the modeling public have either the skill nor the inclination to do what you just did. But, each to his own.
The Model Die Casting 2-8-0 and 2-6-0 made a believer out of me. I finally have three steam locomotives that can do all the work on my pike, including negotiating 7 inch radius curves and climbing 5 percent grades with six cars and a cabin car in tow. They can consistently crawl slower than the prototype could, too. Steam's also a lot more fun to modify and superdetail, too, and that's a part of the hobby I really enjoy. You may see most of my Diesels on eBay one of these days.
Kiz, I think the 2-8-4s haven't been out long enough for the observation about added weight throwing the crankpins. It was either the 2-8-8-2 (which throws them of it own accord) or the 4-8-2.
If the Atlas Shay runs as well as it looks, there could be a significant increase in believers! Boxcab E50
The Shay is a steam engine on a diseasel chassis, this is why I suspect that Atlas chose it. That and the demand for a geared steam locomotive. There are demands for other steam out there, but after the disaster with the 2-8-8-2 a few years back, steam left a bad taste in Atlas' mouth. A geared locomotive is a safe choice. Atlas and the modelling public all win. It is a wonder that it took this long to get one. I can correct minor flaws here and there, but major ones like rods popping off and gears binding are things that the manufacturer should have caught and corrected. If we continue to pan bad products, scream fo rgood ones and point out when a manufacturer has done well or point to other examples of a good product, we will eventually get more good product. It is up to the manufacturers to listen, though.
Just keep buying B-mann Consolidations or the other ones we know run well. Like Kiz, I'm getting more skeptical of new steam offerings. If I miss something new now, that's life. I was pretty much "Try before you buy" and it has proved to be worth the extra cost. My LL 2-8-8-2 was an eBay purchase when the LHS couldn't get any and this was the worst purchase and biggest disappointment so far for me (rod wear after adding weight). Alan
Exactly what rods are wearing down? I can't imagine ever being able to put enought weight IN a N scale locomotive to cause any harm.
There have been many superb N scale steam locomotives available in Europe for many years, so it is entirely possible for the same quality in US models. Maybe Fleischmann or Roco should get into the American market?
Surprise! To me, too. The siderods are quite light and are probably softer metal than the posts they attach to. Only one pair of wheels in each driver set is geared so the siderods run the other driver wheels. Adding 1/4 oz + under the boiler caused enough stress to noticeably wear the siderods at their attachment points after about 6-8 hours of running. If you're happy with pulling just 20 or so cars, leave the LL 2-8-8-2 stock.
Humm. So far I cut the front 1/2" off the 2-8-4 frame and made a chunk of tungsten to fit in the smokebox. I also added 2 thin sheets of lead on top of the worm gear. I did this to keep the front of the locomotive from riding up on the rails in a curve. The front end is way too light. After all this I could only get it to pull 22 cars on level track with 12" curves. I should take some time right now and give it a good run in. On the 2-8-4 the rear 2 drivers are geared and the front 2 run off the siderods. Hopefully things won't get too bad. Anyone remember the guy who cut a traction tire slot in the LL 2-8-8-2 ? Maybe I should contact him.
