tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post2445055953210073562..comments2023-08-22T16:18:38.393+01:00Comments on Rail Thing - Friends of the S&D: beyond spetisburyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27589444.post-87095499053048229822011-09-26T21:17:05.042+01:002011-09-26T21:17:05.042+01:00Of course its not mad to make a little steam contr...Of course its not mad to make a little steam contraption. Has been done on narrow gauge (a vertical boiler in a Lister loco springs to mind but a little research would reveal many others) and with the wheels about same diameter just on longer axles, a standard gauge PW trolley is not significantly different. Model engineers could be your friends on this one, if they are a bit broad minded, as could some of the marine steam engine people. Maybe you need to make a few new friends to get this up and running, possibly join a club or two? <br /><br />Its quite close to tradition of what has been called a "Gentleman's Light Sporting Locomotive" as used on Col Stephens empire. Popularity is assured where this is operated, however you need to have effective brakes and consider tedious things like insurance, whether its going to pull passengers or have them ride on it (or not). People will want to interact with it like gleeful overgrown children unaware of potential dangers. A diesel is a diesel whatever it runs on so folks will just shrug, but a little steam engine can make proper loud whistle calls amongst the chuntering sounds. <br /><br />Get your gear ratios sorted to rail speed and ideally designed to be retrospectively changed depending on whats wanted at locations. A longer line may want a faster steed. Crowds on the line dictate a snails pace.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00346120168038544874noreply@blogger.com