Accucraft Live-Steam Shay 1

Head-on runby of Accucraft's 3-cylinder live steam Shay on my garden railroad.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• model
• railroads
• trains

[diegartenbahn]

Great view ... what kind is the green next to the trail?

[WA1LBK]

Regular box hedge - about half of the railroad is built on top of it (the hedges predated the railroad). Check out some of my other videos for other views. ;)

[Fireheart528]

@WA1LBK I always prefer a high degree of realism in anything i build. Which is why i wanted to build a REAL mountain railway in G scale. And when i think of mountain lines, i think of two, three even four locos lashed together at the head of a stone, coal, mining, logging, or work train going up stiff grades that will really challenge an engineer's skill in handling his train.

[Fireheart528]

@WA1LBK My wallet is actually quite slim--but you're right, they are quite expensive. the highest price i've seen is $6500.00 for a G scale AC-12 cab-forward from Accucraft, and it requires a 10 ft. radius. The electric ones go for around $1000.00, depending on the model. The Big Boys and the Alleghenys are probly a bit higher, but i haven't been able to pin down the exact price. I'll probly just add a smoke generator to the electric locos and use them in DCC format.

[WA1LBK]

@Fireheart528 Wow, if you're thinking of doing that with live-steam Allegheny's & Big Boys, your wallet's a LOT fatter than mines! ;) (Think they go in the range of $10K ~ $30K!???). Locos THAT big are also require curves on the order of 10' radius (20' diameter) MINIMUM. Only way you can really double head is with radio control; check out my "Bucking Snow with Live Steam 2009" video, did it with 2 Shays on RC. If running electrics on DCC, you can "consist" multiple locos to run as one.

[Fireheart528]

@WA1LBK I'm thinking putting it at 3-4% with 5% being the steepest grade. One of my favorite railway sights is putting two or three steam engines on the head end. I know it could be done with electric engines, but i'm looking at adding a couple live steam engines into the roster too, particularly the H-8 Allegheny and the 4000 Class of the UP. Is it possible to lash two live-steam engines together in the same way you could with an electric/battery-powered engine?

[WA1LBK]

Yes, it should be, as long as you keep the grades within reason. Grade on this railroad's mainline is @ 3%. I've added a coaling station with an elevated unloading ramp; haven't actually measured it, estimate the grade is around 5 ~ 10%. My 2-cylinder live steam Shay was able to push a single Bachmann 1:20.3 hopper car (relatively heavy) up it without any problem. If you're running electrics (like Bachmann Shays), you can run steeper grades than live steam, but plan on short trains.

[Fireheart528]

@WA1LBK I've been interested in mountain railways for quite a while. Is it possible to do that right on the side of an actual mountain using G scale equipment?

[dust478]

I have to ask, how much did that thing cost?

[waltm97]

What is the minimum radius for the shay loco? I presently have 39+ inch and am expecting the new version very shortly.Great layout for running trains.

[zalex222]

My 3-year-old son wants to know if we can "go there"... meaning your garden. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing. :)