I am looking for a live steam train set, one of those that you can ride on. I know this isn't Bachmann related, but it's train related so I put it here.
Let me know if you know anyone or any website you know that does sell those.
Thanks!
Quentin
It looks like he sells parts but he could probably tell you where to buy the whole thing.
https://allenmodels.com/ (https://allenmodels.com/)
It's highly likely that Allen Models can provide names of folks willing to build one of their locos for you, if they don't offer that service direct. Also, if you want to ride behind, you need to have the models be at least 3/4" to the foot, and preferably one inch to the foot scale. And, you're looking at a very sizable financial outlay not only for the loco, but rolling stock, track, and a large enough lot to accommodate it all.
You might have to sell the yacht and the condo in Monaco to afford live steam like you'd like.
I have ridden behind one like that a friend had. He built it from parts he bought. It was a 4-4-0. Not as large.
There are smaller versions that the driver rides side saddle on a flat car.
A place exist in Southwick, Mass. Pioneer Valley Live steam Club. They have a site.
They have an old hydraulic car lift from a gas station to lift the loco from a trailer.
Rich
Discoverlivesteam.com for sale page. That's how I got into it. Good luck!
Wow......I built my dragster cheaper than one of their kits on the site.
https://auctions.discoverlivesteam.com/item/74077871/os-engines-baldwin-mogul-75-gauge-kit-with-super-heater-and-injector (https://auctions.discoverlivesteam.com/item/74077871/os-engines-baldwin-mogul-75-gauge-kit-with-super-heater-and-injector)
And it's a kit. You'd better know what you're doing.... both building it and running the machine shop you also are going to need.
I found one that said "New low price! Lowered to $38,500!" Yep, "Low price" is relative in this subject. Thanks for all the help!
I did find one that was steamer, tool car, operator car, 3 passenger cars, AND a trailer with track installed for transportation for $35k. Not insane, probably a good deal because the trailer itself costs about 30k! (it's a nice trailer, bad thing is it's open air)
Quote from: WoundedBear on August 05, 2020, 06:45:52 PM
Wow......I built my dragster cheaper than one of their kits on the site.
https://auctions.discoverlivesteam.com/item/74077871/os-engines-baldwin-mogul-75-gauge-kit-with-super-heater-and-injector (https://auctions.discoverlivesteam.com/item/74077871/os-engines-baldwin-mogul-75-gauge-kit-with-super-heater-and-injector)
Funniest ad on that site is for a "working shovel" 1/8th scale. I mean, finally! You have no idea how many dummy shovels I have amassed over the decades! LOL!
https://auctions.discoverlivesteam.com/item/93259951/working-shovel-in-1-8-scale-extra-capacity-extra-long-handle
For anyone just starting, I would highly reccomend the plum cove boxcab kit. It is probably one of if not THE cheapest new engine that you could buy to get into the hobby. Then once you've had your fun, it could probably sell for exactly what you bought the kit for. Bench riding car kits are low in price as well, and are the best price-friendly way to ride.
http://www.plumcovestudios.com/electro_01.html
https://auctions.discoverlivesteam.com/item/63231281/easy-assembly-15-scale-ride-astride-car-kits-5-version
Uh oh! That's not that expensive. Who has the cheapest track? I have a good sized yard.
I have a good sized yard. Let's see... 20' x 60' = 160' of track.
About 320 grooved ties (2" x 3" ties with 3" spacing) $1.10 =$352. 320' feet of rail at $1.35 foot (10' sections)= $432. Box of 50 rail joiners - $22.50. Ballast? GE full kit - $1999. Ride Astride Car Kit - $175 (Minus 1x2 steel center beam).
About $3000 to get started?
Exactly! Over the past couple of years, the hobby seems to have realized that we don't all have a cash orchard on our estates! Maybe in a year or two we can all meet up with our boxcabs lol!
A guy I know up in central Mississippi is into rideable live steam. I can't remember what scale it is but it is really big. Might be 12" gauge track, can't remember exactly, I'll have to ask, but it's pretty wide. (Like me 😂😂😂).
He has two engines, one a standard gauge mogul and the other a 3' narrow gauge prototype 4-6-0, runs on the same track but is scaled larger, one of you bored Einsteins can calculate the mathematical relationship to each other. He keeps them in a full sized enclosed engine house that you can stand up in. If I remember right one of the tracks was a hydraulic lift to ease low level work.
One winter day a few years ago I went up there with another model railroader and his 17 yr old son to visit and run it. I'm telling you it was big. We ran the mogul that day. You'd sit on the tender but you could bend forward and put your head in the cab and literally feel like you were inside the cab. He had maybe a half mile loop of track on the property that went into the piney woods and back. The train if I remember was two or three rideable gondolas and a caboose with foot rests sticking out. We took turns running and riding and it was unbelievable Big Fun.
This guy is a retired Methodist pastor. You might wonder how he could afford all of this. He had help in two ways. First, it's on family land from way back. And second, he is an unbelievable skilled craftsman and machinist. He scratchbuilt just about everything. Including the engine house. The guy I rode up with knows this fella a lot better than I do, I'll get better information.
I've never seen a more motivated guy. I can't even get my scenery past 90%.
Thanks Trainman, very interesting.
Chuck