Garden Railway Forum

www.riverdale-loco.com

These look rather interesting, very nice uncluttered style. Will be at Stoneleigh too.

Hmm... the coal fired scene is looking a little cluttered.

But compeating companies means prices may get cheaper

If I find that demic Lady Ann I'm after then this would be a good place to start the rebuild!! Like the look of the kits.

Sir haydn:50275 wrote:But compeating companies means prices may get cheaper

Can only be a good thing then!

Significant differences in concept from other makes of coal-fired locos, though (the "Special" section on their web site) with neither water tank nor axle pump but, they say, a sufficiently large boiler for a decent length of run nevertheless and full RC including of damper.

Will be interested to see what the coal-firing experts make of this proposition.

I'm rather concerned by their claim saying that the boiler will have enough water for a decent length run.

I would feel uncomfortable running a coal fired loco with no pump or on board tanks, as something is more likely to go wrong.

I'll wait for a review to appear and then make a firm decision though.

This doesn't look too good for Sabre Steam, but IMHO I think I prefer the layout of the Sabre Steam Annette

hussra:50295 wrote:Will be interested to see what the coal-firing experts make of this proposition.

Their locos are very shiny.

TonyW:50371 wrote:Their locos are very shiny.

And most coal-fired locos that I have seen aren't, but tend to get a bit grubby?

TonyW:50371 wrote:

hussra:50295 wrote:Will be interested to see what the coal-firing experts make of this proposition.

Their locos are very shiny.

Surely that's a good thing from your perspective, Tony?!

I don't really see that it's all that radical, stopping the engine every 15 minutes or so to pump some more water in there, how is this different than keeping a gas fired locomotive running continuously? I guess on a gas fired engine you can at least turn off the fire instantly if you happen to run out of water, but for an "engine driver" who knows what he is about, this doesn't seem too bad to me. I daresay you could add an axle pump and associated boiler fittings in the future as funds allow. Otherwise looks pretty much the same as any other coal burner, except with a nice long run time which, if you're responsible, increases the margin of safety if anything. Better than a gas fired engine for continuous running really, because you don't need to kill the fire in order to fuel it.

I kind of like it. Then again, I also like Billys.


P.S., I agree on the prototype photos, someone really loaded on the paint.

I rather enjoyed reading the "F.A.Q." page. There are some funny questions on there, like "why is pressure defined in PSI and not BAR?"

THeir answer is they use Roundhouse gauges. My answer would have been something like PSI is a real value, not some theoretical multiple of an imaginary "standard atmosphere" constant, and besides we don't go in for that european business". But that's because I'm usually grouchy. Another good question is "why are the smokebox doors welded shut" or something like that. Their answer again is, "because that's what Roundhouse does". My answer would have been: "beats the hell out of me. Ring Roundhouse and find out for us, will you?"

I've no idea why.

Anyway, I think I like the product. The website is very matter-of-fact even though the grammar could use some work, and I sort of agree with their philosophy, except I'm not a huge fan of radio control, but that's easy to get over, just take it out if you don't like it.

They should make a Garratt with Lady Anne bogies. That would be something to see. I'm going to start saving now,in case they ever do something like that.

I just noticed: They won't ship to Canada. Well, shame on them.