DCC Live Steam

They said it wasn't possible! Live Steam with DCC? Well, here's my Hornby DCC Live Steam demonstration. Class A4 loco "Dwight D. Eisenhower", with body removed for ease of viewing.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Hornby
• Live
• Steam
• Model
• Railway
• DCC

[platformone]

I can see a few issues with live steam, especially when it spills the liquid/water.

I know you were trying to demostrate, but that first bit when the train was moving, was way too fast. It's a wonder the coaches the didn't derail going around the curves.

[r5gordini2]

@platformone Spilling water doesn't seem to be too much of an issue - I'm not sure what issues you could be referring to? This loco uses distilled water, which is not very conductive, for example...

Agree - it did go a bit fast! Rather difficult to control single-handed plus filming, etc... Prior to that film I did have a major crash - the loco fell right off the baseboard and was slightly damaged!

[sopsax767]

Hi ! well done on the conversion. I have often pondered this myself but always hit a brick wall when it came to a decoder that will withstand the amps required to switch the boiler and superheater on through the function switches. My other worries are running a power supply with a higher voltage and ampage through my dynamis system and how it would react with all of my other loco's which are sound chipped. How have you found it when running your other dcc locos with the live steam ? cheers steve

[r5gordini2]

@sopsax767 Hi Steve,

Thanks for the well done... Yes, no standard decoder can switch the high current required for the heaters (about 4A each). I built some custom electronics to do the switching, triggered from the function outputs.

I have a booster which is supplying about 10A at 17.5V. This is fine for all other DCC locos. They work just fine! The only concern is if there is a short circuit elsewhere on the layout too much current may be drawn and melted wheels result. So extra care required!

[PalomboDylan]

This is Dylan from the U.S.A I have a few things to say.What was the point of the DCC in the locomotive.I have heard that the train wont run on DCC so that might mess up your live steam.I have a hornby live steam and it works just as well without the modifacations it just takes practice.Please write back.From Dylan.

[r5gordini2]

@PalomboDylan Hi Dylan,

Why DCC? The rest of my layout is DCC and I want a single control method for my locos. It's also a case of wanting to do what some think is impossible. To me, "it can't be done" is an invitation to a challenge. I've not messed anything up. You're right - a standard live steam loco will not run on DCC. I have had to upgrade my DCC booster and produce control electronics that switch the heaters on and off in the loco. I am very pleased with the conversion!

[LoserMcBeaver]

How long can the train last with a full tank of water?

[OOLiveSteam]

Hello from the new OO Live Steam Club.

I think we corresponded on the old Hornby forum before it was taken down so I dont know if we have official contact details for you.

We have some ambitious aims and plans not least is DCC so please get in touch with the club so we can talk more about your exciting work.

Adrian

[sopsax767]

Lol...no we don't like square wheels ! So did you have to build a small rectifier to convert the DCC AC to DC for the heaters ? Sadly i'm no good at designing circuits :( so i admire your ability. I have never taken one of these apart, is there not a type of relay switching for the heaters as standard that you could have used the decoder to trigger ?

Again, very well done !!