O Gauge Live Steam : Crewchester Oct 2021

[@PeterAllton]

Absolutely brilliant and something to aspire to - both railway and Locomotives. Thanks for sharing

[@DrDave_63395]

Crewchester is great to run on and to video

[@MrBramMoos]

Very nice footage thanks for sharing and keep them steaming.

[@robertcomerford375]

great stuff as usual Dave. Thanks!

[@padglove109]

Enjoyable

[@flippop101]

Superb!

[@WorkingInSmallSteam]

I’ve never seen any o gauge live steam locos for sale. Are they all scratch built ? If not is there anywhere someone could point me to find some?

[@DrDave_63395]

The engines in this video are scratch build. There are some commercially made engines which come up on Ebay including the Leech Jinty (0-6-0T) and Bassett Lowke Mogul. However I'd encourage anyone to have a go - the GOG Live Steam book is a detailed instruction manual.

[@DrDave_63395]

I also hear that Jack Shawe is considering making a batch of O gauge live steamers.

[@Stephengaming365]

Beautiful and inspiring equipment! I had similar questions about commercially available equipment, particularly in the US of A. I have scoured ebay and the best I see is some really beat up Bower and Bassett Lowke machines, certainly nothing in an American outline. Also what rail are you using, what flange depth is that equipment? I am used to 3 rail equipment with large flanges. It looks like my equipment would bottom out on the rails you are using.

[@DrDave_63395]

@@Stephengaming365 The tracks here are using GOG FIne standard ( Code 124 and 29mm back to back). So deep flanges can run on the sleepers. But also if the back to back is 28mm (or less) the greater problem will be the check rail setting.

[@Stephengaming365]

@dave Robinson Thank you for your reply. I am just looking into live steam in o gauge. Between being new and American some of the terminology is a little confusing. Is check-rail the term for a guide rail going into a switch ( turnout)? I am considering an application to the O gauge guild to gain a better understanding.

[@kncbyrne1872]

Hi from Australia, could you let me know where I could source plans for the LMS Crab please? I’ve only been able to find Gauge 1 plans on the net. Does the GOG book have plans as well as the technical information. I’ve built Dave Watkins “ Wild Rose “ but would like to move into O Gauge after being inspired by your videos. Thanks regards Craig.

[@jackshawe3188]

Not aware of any published designs for a Crab in 0 gauge. The one in the video was built in the 1950s to the builders own design.

[@timothydaniels2080]

It would be good if you posted somewon talking about the locos

[@DrDave_63395]

Good point. I'm uploading a video of how to raise steam in internal high pressure meths fired engines.

[@CarlosGonzalezSirCharles]

Great video and great engines, Dave. I´ve purchased recently a - possibly 5 th hand - little Netta in 0 gauge completely destroyed here in Madrid ( ¡¡¡¡¡ ). After a lot of work, the little engine is working with steam !. What a pleasure, my friend!. My question is: how long use to have these engines with a charge of water and alcohol?I only ran my little Netta a couple of times over a wooden blocks. It was surprising for me the little water capacity this engine has. I am afraid consuming the water before the alcohol. Well, thank you and congratulations again!

[@DrDave_63395]

Don't be too worried about the boiler running dry if it is silver soldered copper. When the water runs out, the draft fails and you get meths flames licking out all over. Do you know the capacity of water you can get into the boiler. I used to get 15 minutes run out of 70ml water. With use of a tender pump / axle pump you can get a much longer run.

[@CarlosGonzalezSirCharles]

By the way, your little Netta works really fine!

[@DrDave_63395]

Thanks. The Netta design is sound. Mine has a fire tube boiler rather than Smithies. FYI before I fitted an axle pump, I used to fill her with 70ml of water. This would give 15 minutes run before needing to use the tender pump. After a while I got into the habit of letting her run for a couple of minutes, operate the tender pump, and repeat. Now with an axle pump, she runs until the meths runs dry. Tomorrow I'll check the water capacity of the Smithies boiler I made to LBSC's words and music.

[@CarlosGonzalezSirCharles]

@@DrDave_63395 , thank you very much for your info. You know what? I have another Netta in the 3 1/2" gauge, ha, ha. I really like this design!

[@DrDave_63395]

@@CarlosGonzalezSirCharles LBSC did a wonderful set of designs in 5 sizes. They all perform well