Enjoy your videos - top class camerawork, filming, narration and editing. A really interesting series , the preparation and steam -up process seems to be all part of the fun. It must be extremely satisfying to steam around your beautiful garden on your home-built Steam Loco and Track. Thanks for sharing this :-)
Thanks, I do enjoy the process of steaming and I do enjoy the quick start and instant running of my gas mechanical loco especially when I'm having a glass wine before dinner.
A video on the build of this engine - maybe instructional on where to get castings/fittings and choose scale or work from plans would be great. Lovely engine and nice series, thanks.
Thanks for your interest. These engine take a lot of time to build so it's not a task you want to take on right now. I am thinking of a build series on a gas mechanical loco like the one in my other videos. It's much easier to build, cheaper in materials and almost as much fun to drive.
Gandy Dancer Productions i could put a great gauge O railway around your garden, and how good would a complete scale model of Ribblehead viaduct look??? .
Gandy Dancer Productions The truth is even if I had the garden and the folding stuff to bankroll it I wouldn't have the energy. My garden railway is currently 90ft end to end and will be extended I build loco kits and stock and it takes ages? it must have taken you a long time to build Joan. i stand in awe of your talent in model engineering.
It took me 14 year, off and on, to build the loco. I built the railway with strip steel from a scrap yard with a total cost, including ballast and sleepers, less than 00 scale track per yard. It took time and much less of the folding stuff than you think.
Hi Mitchell, it's difficult to say. I built it myself over 20 years ago from castings. It took a long time and I had to buy tools particularly a lathe. You can check out Reeves 2000 or Blackgate engineering for price of casting and there are some sites that sell laser cut parts to make it easier.
Hi Graham, you can take a look at these places on the web. For kits or complete loco of the ride behind kind in the UK you could try Maxitrak or Polly Model Engineering Limited. In the US there's Little Engines, they do rough castings and parts and there a sales sight for projects and half finished locos called Discover Lives Steam. I've had no experience of any of these products. Hope this helps.
Hi Robin, Simplex is a very good design if built well. There is a lot of them about because it was recommended as a simple/starter loco to build but that also means there's some not very good ones to. I built the carriages myself out of plywood with bought bogies from 1" Railroad Supplies based in Washington State, USA.
I've noticed a preference for dual injectors instead of axle pump systems on british locomotives in this scale. Is there a reason for this, or is it just preference?
I have an axle pump as well, it's convenient because you can leave it set and the pump will supply water continuously. Whereas an injector left will overwhelm the boiler. The reason for injectors is you can buy them off the shelf but a pump you'll probably have to make. Injectors are now very reliable.
The injectors on my Tilbury tank engine work alright, but Its far FAR easier in my opinion to turn one knob half a turn and always have it feed reliably. Injectors will also drop out on you, and i've noticed on my engine that my tanks have to be near full in order for the injector to pick up properly. That and also the water gets warm after a little bit of running due to heat conduction. Anyway, its nice to see someone with a 5'' gauge layout in new england. We colonials really messed up picking a 4.75'' gauge. We're missing out on all the british gems! (at least the one in 5'' gauge.)
I have an auxiliary water tank in the driving trolley connected to an injector because of the problem you mentioned of the water getting too hot in the loco side tanks. This supply is always cool enough to work. I use the injectors to top up if the pumps not keeping up or the engines stationary. You're right about the gauge difference in the US. The closest 5" gauge track I know about is in Canada. I have to travel 750 miles to run away from home.
Thats rough. Partly why i chose to work in 3 1/2'' gauge besides its lower price is the availability of gauge. 3 1/2'' gauge is almost universal in the international live steam community. Tragically, anywhere where i can run my engines is about 2 hours away, and the track is an awfully short oval.
Jonathan Guilbert how much would you charge to build me just a working boiler? I want one so I can just have fun making steam and stoking the fire since I don’t have the room to run an actual working rolling live steam loco. Let me know. Thanks
@@PalomboDylanhere are two Simplex boilers for sale on Ebay at the moment for a little under £2,500 each, that less than I could build one for. There are whole locos for sale that are only little more expensive though I can't say how well made they are.
Take a look at my series on making a boiler for Russell: ua-cam.com/video/mtzn88ZI_v4/v-deo.html The boiler is small but the principle is the same for bigger ones.
Enjoy your videos - top class camerawork, filming, narration and editing. A really interesting series , the preparation and steam -up process seems to be all part of the fun. It must be extremely satisfying to steam around your beautiful garden on your home-built Steam Loco and Track. Thanks for sharing this :-)
Thanks, I do enjoy the process of steaming and I do enjoy the quick start and instant running of my gas mechanical loco especially when I'm having a glass wine before dinner.
Gandy Da
More great videos - thanks
You make me laugh Sir ! 🖒 and it was A Pure-Pleasure-Ride too !! 🎩 thank you
Pro tip : watch series on flixzone. I've been using it for watching lots of of movies these days.
@Enzo Davion definitely, I have been using Flixzone for since november myself =)
@Enzo Davion yup, been using flixzone for since december myself :D
A video on the build of this engine - maybe instructional on where to get castings/fittings and choose scale or work from plans would be great. Lovely engine and nice series, thanks.
Thanks for your interest. These engine take a lot of time to build so it's not a task you want to take on right now. I am thinking of a build series on a gas mechanical loco like the one in my other videos. It's much easier to build, cheaper in materials and almost as much fun to drive.
I have found what i want to do in my retirement now, thank you ^-^
I'm hooked. Cheers
Are you using a mix of house coal and anthacite?
lovely large garden, just the thing for a big kid and toys. Oh how wonderful.
What next, a black 5 or a Duchess. or perhaps a Brit.
Hi Steven, won't that be nice. Unfortunately they won't get round my 25 foot radius curves.
Gandy Dancer Productions i could put a great gauge O railway around your garden, and how good would a complete scale model of Ribblehead viaduct look???
.
What are you waiting for!
Gandy Dancer Productions The truth is even if I had the garden and the folding stuff to bankroll it I wouldn't have the energy.
My garden railway is currently 90ft end to end and will be extended
I build loco kits and stock and it takes ages?
it must have taken you a long time to build Joan.
i stand in awe of your talent in model engineering.
It took me 14 year, off and on, to build the loco. I built the railway with strip steel from a scrap yard with a total cost, including ballast and sleepers, less than 00 scale track per yard. It took time and much less of the folding stuff than you think.
That is awesome!! Did you build it yourself?
Hi John, yes I built the loco, train and railway myself.
Damn that is very very cool 🤓..👍
If you don’t mind me asking how much did that locomotive cost?
Hi Mitchell, it's difficult to say. I built it myself over 20 years ago from castings. It took a long time and I had to buy tools particularly a lathe. You can check out Reeves 2000 or Blackgate engineering for price of casting and there are some sites that sell laser cut parts to make it easier.
Ok then. Is smaller the better?
Where does one buy a little engine or a kit too make one like that? Always wanted to make one but not sure where pick one up.
Hi Graham, you can take a look at these places on the web. For kits or complete loco of the ride behind kind in the UK you could try Maxitrak or Polly Model Engineering Limited. In the US there's Little Engines, they do rough castings and parts and there a sales sight for projects and half finished locos called Discover Lives Steam. I've had no experience of any of these products. Hope this helps.
would you say a simplex is a good buy and where do you get your carriages
Hi Robin, Simplex is a very good design if built well. There is a lot of them about because it was recommended as a simple/starter loco to build but that also means there's some not very good ones to. I built the carriages myself out of plywood with bought bogies from 1" Railroad Supplies based in Washington State, USA.
ok thanks i really like the loco and carriages I'm am looking for one i like in the uk
Are you living abroad now, my friend? Great video.
Yes, I live in the US at the moment.
Gandy Dancer Productions what has happened to your railway
I've noticed a preference for dual injectors instead of axle pump systems on british locomotives in this scale. Is there a reason for this, or is it just preference?
I have an axle pump as well, it's convenient because you can leave it set and the pump will supply water continuously. Whereas an injector left will overwhelm the boiler. The reason for injectors is you can buy them off the shelf but a pump you'll probably have to make. Injectors are now very reliable.
The injectors on my Tilbury tank engine work alright, but Its far FAR easier in my opinion to turn one knob half a turn and always have it feed reliably. Injectors will also drop out on you, and i've noticed on my engine that my tanks have to be near full in order for the injector to pick up properly. That and also the water gets warm after a little bit of running due to heat conduction. Anyway, its nice to see someone with a 5'' gauge layout in new england. We colonials really messed up picking a 4.75'' gauge. We're missing out on all the british gems! (at least the one in 5'' gauge.)
I have an auxiliary water tank in the driving trolley connected to an injector because of the problem you mentioned of the water getting too hot in the loco side tanks. This supply is always cool enough to work. I use the injectors to top up if the pumps not keeping up or the engines stationary. You're right about the gauge difference in the US. The closest 5" gauge track I know about is in Canada. I have to travel 750 miles to run away from home.
Thats rough. Partly why i chose to work in 3 1/2'' gauge besides its lower price is the availability of gauge. 3 1/2'' gauge is almost universal in the international live steam community. Tragically, anywhere where i can run my engines is about 2 hours away, and the track is an awfully short oval.
Yes, 3 1/2" gauge is universal but difficult to balance on on a ground level track especially if you're taking kids round.
real life donald duck.
What size coal do you recommend for 3.5 inch gauge ?
What ever you can get through the firebox door. Have a poker ready to give it a stir occasionally.
Thanks for the advice. Is larger better like beans or grains?
Do you find the smoke goes blue or grey?
@@GandyDancerProductions for my juliet I'm using grains and she steams well. Would I be ok using this size?
@@mattseymour8637 Sounds good, I'd stick with it as long as not to much is falling through the grate into the ash pan unburnt.
I’d love one of these. It’s a shame they cost so blooming much money......😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Hi Dylan, that's the reason I built my own loco and carriages. It just takes a bit of time and dedication.
Jonathan Guilbert how much would you charge to build me just a working boiler? I want one so I can just have fun making steam and stoking the fire since I don’t have the room to run an actual working rolling live steam loco. Let me know. Thanks
@@PalomboDylanhere are two Simplex boilers for sale on Ebay at the moment for a little under £2,500 each, that less than I could build one for. There are whole locos for sale that are only little more expensive though I can't say how well made they are.
Is the boiler in this also copper?
Hi Nathan, yes it's all copper and silver soldered. Made it myself.
Definitely something I would like to learn more about, model boiler making!
Take a look at my series on making a boiler for Russell: ua-cam.com/video/mtzn88ZI_v4/v-deo.html
The boiler is small but the principle is the same for bigger ones.
I did, enjoyed it thoroughly!
at least it doesn't take 6-7 hours to get it ready
Really small