A little sweetheart of an engine if ever there was one! Built mine from the kit, and it's still steaming along just fine after a decade of service, still pretty well stock aside from fitting knuckle couplers to match my rolling stock, re-timing the valve gear for inside admission for a little extra "oomph", and putting on a Goodall valve to keep the boiler from running dry while pulling loads (the water consumption is higher than when running light). Actually have seen the Ruby Garratt running in person, actually only the cylinders and cab are from a Ruby, the boiler and tanks are a custom built job. If you ever fancy doing another live steamer, I'd reccommend the Accucraft/AML USRA 0-6-0 for review, it's another great running engine, and a good next-step for somebody who's cut their teeth on a little engine like a Ruby.
These are great little locos. I have 1 with and 1 without the pressure gauge and both are great runners. Perfect locos for anyone wanting to dip their toes into live steam.
Just to note, I've found that pulling ratings tend to be conservative to allow margins for grades. My LGB/Aster Frank S. is rated by the manufacturer for around 6-8 cars depending on size, but on flat ground it actually can pull around 12.
My own "Ol' Rube" (aka Ruby.... #204 Built 1999), even with live-steam experienced TLC, and always run indoors at sedate speeds, and never abused or crashed..... only lasted 100.6 Hours (!), including several required Valve-Gear 'Tune-Ups'. Unfortunately good ol' Accucraft does not supply any repair or replacement parts..... a big disappointment! And, so discouraged I finally had to send "Ol' Rube" to the SCRAP YARD !! One other Accu Loco a 2-4-4T "Forney", much like my experience with "Ol' Rube", lasted only @ 77 Hours before certain irreplaceable Valve-Gear parts wore out, even always having been carefully lubricated(!)..... so it is now "Out-Of-Service" awaiting a complete Cylinder & Chassis replacement using a Roundhouse "Sammy" Chassis, which should have better longevity (and R-House DOES supply parts when needed)!! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ACCUCRAPT LOCO !!
@@ken.mp372 Accucraft has apparently updated the Ruby with newer materials and replacement parts might be easier to find. I’m sorry to hear about the problems you had with your engines.
@@trainmaster844 Forgive me for venting my spleen...... FYI: I was introduced to the realm of "Live-Steam" at age 12 (1958), and have been and ardent follower since then, with vast hands-on experience from Gauge #1 all the way up to full-size NG & SG Locos. I have had my share of fun with Accu Locos, and my best one has always been the 1:20 scale 2-6-0 NNG "Mogul" which now has @ 80 Hours of TLC on it with NO problems (yet....). I have learned to be skilled and adept at Kit-Bashing freelanced "American-styled" Locos using Roundhouse DIY Chassis & Boiler Kit Modules as foundations, so I have no desire to tolerate or risk any further Accu 'shenanigans', Accu's ARE beautifully detailed fine scale models, but their lack of decent Spare & Repair Parts Inventories have always "put me off" (sadly). I have always found Accu Valve-Gear designs and Safety Valves to be quite "flimsy", their Boilers & Burners are generally sound, and most Accu "Owners Manuals" usually have many technical errors. So now I have more fun "Rolling My Own"! ..... -- Incidentally my "Ol' Rube" was a fairly early (1999) model #204 (not #077), and I DID enjoy it immensely for the first 60-70 hours of service or so (I always keep very detailed "Logs" based on Burner & Boiler "B&B" Hours, Trip Details, Maintenance & Repairs, etc.), and have always used only the best Lubricants, Steam Cylinder Oils, and only used Distilled H2O. Only a couple of my Locos have ever been subjected (rarely) to the "grit & grime" adverse wear conditions found on most outdoor tracks. "Vaporo In Fraternitate!" ;-)
I don't know how the smokebox got dented; it was like that when I got it (the previous owner can attest the same). Thankfully, the smokebox has since been put back into round and some other modifications are being made to Ruby by a friend of mine at this time.
@@trainmaster844 Awesome, thanks for the reply. I did notice the bigger cylinders had been put on yours. I was thinking of taking that route as well. I got mine as a kit and can honestly say that the most difficult part was getting the valve timing right!
Nice little engine but is it normal for the smokebox to warp its round shape or for the area at the base of the stack to look like its imploding? I'm looking at getting the new 2022 version
The engine has the warp in its smokebox and the dent in the base around the stack owing to some damage from its previous owner. Idk how it happened, but if you take care of your Ruby and store it properly, you won’t have that problem.
That locomotive is just incredible. I'd so love to own one but the price and what you need to do when owning in sounds hard. I'll just stay with my o gauge trains for now. Also I had a feeling you were planning on seeing 4014 on its move the beginning of next month do you plan on seeing 844 as well. But besides that how are you doing Chris what's it like being part of the Air Force?
Yes, I used Green Velvet steam oil from The Train Department. And yes, it’s different from lubricating oil as it works to oil the inside of the cylinders as the engine runs. As the locomotive runs, the oil will be pumped into the cylinders and excess water will mix with the residual oil left in the reservoir to create a mixture called “grunge”. It needs to be suctioned out of the reservoir at the end of each running session and fresh steam oil added before each run.
The Train Department (linked in the description) might have some rollers available. If you’re looking to test engines of other scales, Bachmann has a few of them as well.
@@franknapolitano9144 Like all steam engines, Ruby has a throttle valve that controls how much steam enters the cylinders. The more the throttle is opened, the faster it will go and vice versa. When the throttle is completely closed, the engine will stop.
It was somehow dented by the first owner. The owner I bought "Ruby" from wasn't able to fix it before the sale, but it didn't detract from her steaming ability. The engine is now with a friend being upgraded and modified - with the smokebox now straightened out.
Chris I hope you don't mind asking but besides uploading some new footage from August and seeing 4014 this may do you have plans to go to the Strasburg Railroad this fall to see 611 at strasburg and meeting up with 475 when it returns to service from its overhaul? And when you reply can you first respond with saying my name (it's Evan) and you mind doing that from now on with comments I send to you.
@@trainmaster844 nice and thanks for responding to my comment by starting it off with my name and I hope you can do that more often in the near future also if I'm correct are these the years you saw 765 in person 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 am I correct and do you have any plans to see 765 this year again or gonna skip it becuase you already have plans to see 4014 and 844 in May and 475 and 611 in September or becuase of your time in the air force speaking of which what's it like being in the air force
@@trainmaster844 well, I sure you will find something to troll us viewers with when April 1st comes again in 2020. BTW I saw your old video on Jersey Shore. I found it very amusing, especially since I lived in New Jersey for 10 years.
That was a fantastic review there Chris, Ruby is a very nice engine she kinda reminds me of engine 9 from an animation Short tilted Locomotion: ua-cam.com/video/9pY9INNychk/v-deo.html
You got me inspired. There is a Ruby in my attic that I haven't run in decades. Turning the computer off and going looking for her.
Correction, It's an Ida not a Ruby and it still turns and lights up. Tomorrow I look for steam oil and distilled water.
@@paulhare662 any updates?
A little sweetheart of an engine if ever there was one! Built mine from the kit, and it's still steaming along just fine after a decade of service, still pretty well stock aside from fitting knuckle couplers to match my rolling stock, re-timing the valve gear for inside admission for a little extra "oomph", and putting on a Goodall valve to keep the boiler from running dry while pulling loads (the water consumption is higher than when running light).
Actually have seen the Ruby Garratt running in person, actually only the cylinders and cab are from a Ruby, the boiler and tanks are a custom built job.
If you ever fancy doing another live steamer, I'd reccommend the Accucraft/AML USRA 0-6-0 for review, it's another great running engine, and a good next-step for somebody who's cut their teeth on a little engine like a Ruby.
If I can find an Accucraft USRA 0-6-0 at a good price (and within my budget), I'd like to pick it up.
Congrats!
Many thanks, James!
These are great little locos. I have 1 with and 1 without the pressure gauge and both are great runners.
Perfect locos for anyone wanting to dip their toes into live steam.
Excellent Job Chris! I'm gonna buy one as soon as I get the cash!
just ordered mine yesterday
Congratulations on 10,000 subs!
Just to note, I've found that pulling ratings tend to be conservative to allow margins for grades. My LGB/Aster Frank S. is rated by the manufacturer for around 6-8 cars depending on size, but on flat ground it actually can pull around 12.
Congrats on 10K subs, Chris
Pretty cool video I wish I can have one of those
Great review and video!
Amazing video! I need one! Thank you brother for the content.
Great video and review! Thanks Chris
Looks like your smokebox caved in...
My own "Ol' Rube" (aka Ruby.... #204 Built 1999), even with live-steam experienced TLC, and always run indoors at sedate speeds, and never abused or crashed..... only lasted 100.6 Hours (!), including several required Valve-Gear 'Tune-Ups'. Unfortunately good ol' Accucraft does not supply any repair or replacement parts..... a big disappointment! And, so discouraged I finally had to send "Ol' Rube" to the SCRAP YARD !! One other Accu Loco a 2-4-4T "Forney", much like my experience with "Ol' Rube", lasted only @ 77 Hours before certain irreplaceable Valve-Gear parts wore out, even always having been carefully lubricated(!)..... so it is now "Out-Of-Service" awaiting a complete Cylinder & Chassis replacement using a Roundhouse "Sammy" Chassis, which should have better longevity (and R-House DOES supply parts when needed)!! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ACCUCRAPT LOCO !!
@@ken.mp372 Accucraft has apparently updated the Ruby with newer materials and replacement parts might be easier to find. I’m sorry to hear about the problems you had with your engines.
@@trainmaster844 Forgive me for venting my spleen...... FYI: I was introduced to the realm of "Live-Steam" at age 12 (1958), and have been and ardent follower since then, with vast hands-on experience from Gauge #1 all the way up to full-size NG & SG Locos. I have had my share of fun with Accu Locos, and my best one has always been the 1:20 scale 2-6-0 NNG "Mogul" which now has @ 80 Hours of TLC on it with NO problems (yet....). I have learned to be skilled and adept at Kit-Bashing freelanced "American-styled" Locos using Roundhouse DIY Chassis & Boiler Kit Modules as foundations, so I have no desire to tolerate or risk any further Accu 'shenanigans', Accu's ARE beautifully detailed fine scale models, but their lack of decent Spare & Repair Parts Inventories have always "put me off" (sadly). I have always found Accu Valve-Gear designs and Safety Valves to be quite "flimsy", their Boilers & Burners are generally sound, and most Accu "Owners Manuals" usually have many technical errors. So now I have more fun "Rolling My Own"! .....
-- Incidentally my "Ol' Rube" was a fairly early (1999) model #204 (not #077), and I DID enjoy it immensely for the first 60-70 hours of service or so (I always keep very detailed "Logs" based on Burner & Boiler "B&B" Hours, Trip Details, Maintenance & Repairs, etc.), and have always used only the best Lubricants, Steam Cylinder Oils, and only used Distilled H2O. Only a couple of my Locos have ever been subjected (rarely) to the "grit & grime" adverse wear conditions found on most outdoor tracks. "Vaporo In Fraternitate!" ;-)
Good video. I got one of these a few months back. What happened to your smokebox!? It's all out of round!
I don't know how the smokebox got dented; it was like that when I got it (the previous owner can attest the same).
Thankfully, the smokebox has since been put back into round and some other modifications are being made to Ruby by a friend of mine at this time.
@@trainmaster844 Awesome, thanks for the reply. I did notice the bigger cylinders had been put on yours. I was thinking of taking that route as well. I got mine as a kit and can honestly say that the most difficult part was getting the valve timing right!
👍
Nice locomotive
What about reviewing an entire ready-to-run set?
Are you going to make a top 10 favorite steam locomotives list?
i have found a design for ruby thought i don't know what class she is but she is from glover machine works
It may look similar, but Accucraft’s description of Ruby is that she is based on Baldwin design and practices.
OMG I recognize your voice your Craig from the San Juan Trainz series!!!!
Wait a minute, you’re in the Air Force?
Have been for the last four years.
That’s so cool! What’s it like?
Hey if you still look at old vids.
I wanted to ask if Ruby ever run low on water before gas was up and if Wilesco Steam Maschine Oil Dose the Job alo?
Hopefully when you go see the 4014 you have a good wheelman/driver to help you
Nice little engine but is it normal for the smokebox to warp its round shape or for the area at the base of the stack to look like its imploding? I'm looking at getting the new 2022 version
The engine has the warp in its smokebox and the dent in the base around the stack owing to some damage from its previous owner.
Idk how it happened, but if you take care of your Ruby and store it properly, you won’t have that problem.
That locomotive is just incredible. I'd so love to own one but the price and what you need to do when owning in sounds hard. I'll just stay with my o gauge trains for now. Also I had a feeling you were planning on seeing 4014 on its move the beginning of next month do you plan on seeing 844 as well. But besides that how are you doing Chris what's it like being part of the Air Force?
What kind of steam oil did you use? And I'm assuming it's different from the lubricating oil?
Yes, I used Green Velvet steam oil from The Train Department. And yes, it’s different from lubricating oil as it works to oil the inside of the cylinders as the engine runs.
As the locomotive runs, the oil will be pumped into the cylinders and excess water will mix with the residual oil left in the reservoir to create a mixture called “grunge”. It needs to be suctioned out of the reservoir at the end of each running session and fresh steam oil added before each run.
@@trainmaster844 Thanks! And did you get the light weight or medium weight steam oil?
Nice review but I have to ask did you ever volunteer for a Railroad before?
Yes, I volunteered for the Wilmington & Western from 2007 to 2016 as Trainman, Narrator and Shop Assistant.
What kind of coupler did you put on her
Can you provide a link as to where I can get the Locomotive Stationary Test Roller Track ?
The Train Department (linked in the description) might have some rollers available. If you’re looking to test engines of other scales, Bachmann has a few of them as well.
@@trainmaster844 Thank You...How can you stop the Ruby while it's in motion ?? How do you control the speed ?
@@franknapolitano9144 Like all steam engines, Ruby has a throttle valve that controls how much steam enters the cylinders.
The more the throttle is opened, the faster it will go and vice versa. When the throttle is completely closed, the engine will stop.
@@trainmaster844 Yes, but how can you operate the Throttle Valve while the locomotive is running on the track ?
@@franknapolitano9144 Either by a separately fitted radio control unit or by walking with the engine and adjusting the throttle yourself.
I sure hope you can do a Q&A video and I bet the video of you seeing 4014 and 844 in action will probably be upload in a week or two am I right?
Possibly.
I’m going to Ogden on May 9
what on earth happened to the smokebox?
It was somehow dented by the first owner. The owner I bought "Ruby" from wasn't able to fix it before the sale, but it didn't detract from her steaming ability.
The engine is now with a friend being upgraded and modified - with the smokebox now straightened out.
Has anyone tried to use these controls with R/C?
Chris I hope you don't mind asking but besides uploading some new footage from August and seeing 4014 this may do you have plans to go to the Strasburg Railroad this fall to see 611 at strasburg and meeting up with 475 when it returns to service from its overhaul? And when you reply can you first respond with saying my name (it's Evan) and you mind doing that from now on with comments I send to you.
Yes, Evan. I'm going there.
@@trainmaster844 nice and thanks for responding to my comment by starting it off with my name and I hope you can do that more often in the near future also if I'm correct are these the years you saw 765 in person 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 am I correct and do you have any plans to see 765 this year again or gonna skip it becuase you already have plans to see 4014 and 844 in May and 475 and 611 in September or becuase of your time in the air force speaking of which what's it like being in the air force
@@trainmaster844 I'm going to be going on Oct 19th which is the time of the cab ride event
@@eriktrainzfan9429 wait there doing a cab ride event dang I wish I lived on the east coast I live in California on the west coast
@@atsfevan0242Unfortunately, I can't ride in the cab because I'm underaged
is the steam dome functional?
I suppose it is, in the sense that there is a safety valve up top. So, it does work like the real thing.
That poor smokebox seems a bit out of whack.
It was sadly dented by the first owner (Not the one I bought it from), but her steaming quality hasn't decreased at all.
@@trainmaster844 ah I see, I doubt it would take much to get her back into shape.
Was this an April fools video?
Nope! I couldn't think of anything to troll my viewers with. That and I also wanted to legitimately review this engine.
@@trainmaster844 well, I sure you will find something to troll us viewers with when April 1st comes again in 2020.
BTW I saw your old video on Jersey Shore. I found it very amusing, especially since I lived in New Jersey for 10 years.
This engine looks a little bit like Luke from thomas and friends
Accucraft does sell a Wren 0-4-0T that could be custom painted to look like Luke, but it is far out of my price range.
Could you please review the Overland Models Union Pacific 8,500hp Turbine
I thought this would you an April fool's joke because it was uploaded on April 1st
I would've, but I like being honest sometimes!
That was a fantastic review there Chris, Ruby is a very nice engine she kinda reminds me of engine 9 from an animation Short tilted Locomotion: ua-cam.com/video/9pY9INNychk/v-deo.html
Can you review the Bachman Sy Mikado
Maybe I can once I get it DCC equipped.
Where could I get one?
Accucraft Trains has them for sale on their website and other Garden Railway stores may sell them.
Christopher Kovacs thanks
Can you do a live stream
Until I can wrap my head around how to do it, then yes, it will be done at some point.
Someone's got money to burn. lol