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Garden steam train engines

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Nordlys:
Are there any members here with steam railway interests? Im thinking of getting into steam rail but require some initial recommendations
for a reasonable quality brand engine (live steam) please.
I know they cost serious money but I will have to get over that!
Thanks ...
N

Tug Fanatic:


I assume that you are talking 32mm narrow gauge although most of the equipment is also available in 45mm.


For live steam the 2 standard brands are Accucraft & Roundhouse. Both are well tried & tested.
 https://www.accucraft.uk.com/categories/live-steam/
http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/


There are other very good suppliers but these are by far the most common & are both good reliable product ranges.


You might care to join the 16mm Association:
 https://www.16mm.org.uk/


Make every possible effort, & then try even harder, to get to the 16mm National Show. You really do want to attend:
https://www.nationalgardenrailwayshow.org.uk/


If you are talking gauge 1 or ride on then these will not help.

Nordlys:
TF This is ideal info for me - just knowing the more well tried and tested engines is all I need to start looking at whats on offer.
Garden railway 32mm could be the better gauge for me but if they convert then that or 45mm I can consider, I guess the size dictates the price?
Roundhouse have some nice little loco's as well as the Silver Lady I notice!
Nord.

Tug Fanatic:




--- Quote from: Nordlys on February 02, 2018, 02:17:28 pm ---TF This is ideal info for me - just knowing the more well tried and tested engines is all I need to start looking at whats on offer.
Garden railway 32mm could be the better gauge for me but if they convert then that or 45mm I can consider, I guess the size dictates the price?
Roundhouse have some nice little loco's as well as the Silver Lady I notice!
Nord.

--- End quote ---


No they are the same locos with the wheels set at different spacing - some you can adjust but others need new wheel sets.
Obviously bigger or more detailed locos tend to cost more than smaller simpler ones within the same gauge.


32mm is the traditional UK narrow gauge scale - it is O Gauge Track. The small wagon etc suppliers concentrate on 32mm.


45mm is the LGB, Aristocraft, USA Trains etc electric gauge that can also of course be used for narrow gauge. It is Gauge 1 in scale track gauge terms. I have used 45mm in the garden & would recommend that if you want to look at that you convert your locos to battery & radio control. Electric pick up in garden conditions is a whole different thing to nicely protected inside & our climate does not help. 


As I said go to Peterborough. The whole 32mm industry turns up & you will come away so much the wiser. There is no substitute. You can get there by train for the day & there is a shuttle bus from Peterborough railway station if you do not want to drive. I would see it as a great day out & a real investment.


I am assuming that you have come across the dedicated "Garden Rail" magazine which Smiths (amongst other) sells?
https://www.world-of-railways.co.uk/garden-rail/

Nordlys:
Thanks TF most useful info.
Is there anywhere in particular to go to view second hand loco's or are they to be avoided in general?
N

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