From yesterday's Asheville, NC train show are these shots of G live steam. These are alcohol-fueled and are a sight to behold. The steaming action is authentic and it takes no small effort to get a locomotive ready for the road. Small fan assemblies are used to induce firebox draft at start up, water pumps are used to fill lines and much attention to detail is required. The locomotives are kits and in the case of the N&W J, radio control is available. Year after year, I just love watching the action at this table. I voted it best smelling exhibit at the show.
These are powerful beasts. The N&W J was pulling a beautiful passenger train of probably a dozen matching cars and the D&RGW K-28 pulled probably two dozen freight cars. The K-28's owner said it wasn't prototypical to tie that many cars on, but he wanted to see what his engine could pull. When wheel slip happens, there's no wild spinning of drivers, but rather a slow slip as the drivers rotate and grasp for traction at start. Prototypical and fun to watch. I'll bet those engines are HEAVY. The 1:32 N&W J kit by Accucraft is $5.950.00.
$$$!!! Beyond my budget, forever. I also wonder what sort of tool chest might be required, to assemble one of those from a "kit"? And, does a "kit" include everything?
I asked that of one of the owners and he said that everything is fitted, drilled, tapped and ready to assemble. Assembly takes a while, but he said it wasn't frustrating at all. I do suspect that the gear needed for an operating session is not insignificant and that patience is required to raise a head of steam.
Probably a few thousand dollars more, for everything necessary to transport safely, traveling tools, fuel, etc, etc.
Yeah... way beyond the realm of possibility for me too as far as finances go... Oh well at least dreaming is still free!! Jim