Live Steam Train from China

[roxyguy]

Has anyone ever bought from alibaba.

 

Live steam loco here that would look lovely in the garden.

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Model-Train-ho-scale-Live-Steam-butane-fired-steam-driven-machine-aesthetic-Train-Free-Shipping/32533665062.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000013.6.cVjoUb&scm=1007.13339.33317.0&pvid=ca7daef9-33ce-4957-8951-3ec862c7076b&tpp=1

[16miller]

I'd prefer a Mamod!

[roxyguy]

I'd prefer a Mamod!

 

What scale are those Mamods? G? The one above is HO.

[jhb171achill]

Interesting looking yoke...... With a bit of imagination, a drop-on tender body, running boards and a much amended cab could make it look vaguely Irish....

[GSR 800]

Well lads, before you buy anything, you should know Ali express has a rep for selling rip off crappy stuff,like Nike and Canterburys. I know they aren't loco companies..but still

[Garfield]

Some good advice here on shopping on Ali Express and how to avoid the pitfalls:

 

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/safe-shop-aliexpress/

[roxyguy]

Ali express has lots of train accessories but no locos really. I wonder why. They have plenty of HO static models that are fairly inexpensive. I order one just to see what the whole aliexpress experience is like. 20 dollars.

[Glenderg]

I've used Ali-express to buy 200 empty vallejo type paint bottles for $20, free postage. Great idea at the time, until a bin bag full of the things arrived a month later. Just check on the Bay first or Amazon, just make sure you are getting a bargain. R.

[Mayner]

Small scale live steam is completely unlike operating electric or battery powered models. The main draw back is that small scale models (anything below 7"1/2 gauge) are almost impossible to control and are too hot to handle while operating. Detailing of the 0-6-0 would have to be in metal & heat resistant paint otherwise you will end up with scorched paintwork and melted plastic.

 

Even in LGB or Gauge1 live steam is difficult to control which is the main reason I have kept to battery RC and DCC control

 

For the money involved a Gauge O or Gauge 1 Mamod https://www.mamod.co.uk/ or basic Roundhouse http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/models.htm#basic or Accucraft "Ruby" http://www.accucraft.com/modelc/AC77-010-C.htm would be a far safer investment than something on line from China. For modellers with deep pockets John Armstrong has produced custom models of a number of 3' gauge classes

 

The garden railway suppliers in the UK will provide essential after sales service, but forget about anything looking like a scale model of an Irish standard gauge loco unless you have several thousand Eu to invest.

Edited February 19, 2017 by Mayner

[roxyguy]

Small scale live steam is completely unlike operating electric or battery powered models. The main draw back is that small scale models (anything below 7"1/2 gauge) are almost impossible to control and are too hot to handle while operating. Detailing of the 0-6-0 would have to be in metal & heat resistant paint otherwise you will end up with scorched paintwork and melted plastic.

 

Even in LGB or Gauge1 live steam is difficult to control which is the main reason I have kept to battery RC and DCC control

 

For the money involved a Gauge O or Gauge 1 Mamod https://www.mamod.co.uk/ or basic Roundhouse http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/models.htm#basic or Accucraft "Ruby" http://www.accucraft.com/modelc/AC77-010-C.htm would be a far safer investment than something on line from China. For modellers with deep pockets John Armstrong has produced custom models of a number of 3' gauge classes

 

The garden railway suppliers in the UK will provide essential after sales service, but forget about anything looking like a scale model of an Irish standard gauge loco unless you have several thousand Eu to invest.

 

Cheers for that. Love the idea of live steam stinking out the house!

[Broithe]

'We' had a couple of the electrically-powered Hornby OO live steam ones. They were much harder to control than electric-motored versions, obviously, but the one that was second-hand was much easier than the new one - possibly as a result of 'running-in'.

 

The smell was very evocative.

[roxyguy]

'We' had a couple of the electrically-powered Hornby OO live steam ones. They were much harder to control than electric-motored versions, obviously, but the one that was second-hand was much easier than the new one - possibly as a result of 'running-in'.

 

The smell was very evocative.

 

 

Was on a the Sauschwaenzlebahn in Germany a few years ago during a blistering summer. Quite enjoyed the smell and the panic to close the windows every time the train approached a tunnel

[Warbonnet]

'We' had a couple of the electrically-powered Hornby OO live steam ones. They were much harder to control than electric-motored versions, obviously, but the one that was second-hand was much easier than the new one - possibly as a result of 'running-in'.

 

The smell was very evocative.

 

They go for big money on EBay these days. Don't think many were produced.