[zephyra]

Probably a completely whacky thought - but I wonder how difficult it would be to 'mate' the body of an electric Aster Daylight with the steam components of the Accucraft version. There is an Aster Electric Daylight currently for sale on ebay and I already have the Accucraft version (skillfully updated by Charles/Ryan). I'd love to find an Aster Daylight but haven't seen one for sale and this could be an interesting compromise.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Aster-Electric-...oryZ4149QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Robert

 

[Shay Gear Head]

I do know that Norm Saley once took an Aster electric NYC streamliner loco and converted it to live steam. It was a one-of-a-kind loco and beautiful to see. It probably would be cheaper to buy only one complete loco though.

 

[AsterUK]

Robert

The very thought of 'mating' a beautiful Aster with another makers' chassis fills me with horror. Visions of Rosemary's Baby etc.

A better plan might be to see if the electric chassis could be adapted for steam. Some electric Asters had all the cylinders and valve gear but a motor where the boiler should be. You need to persuade someone who has an electric Aster Daylight to let you take the lid off and look inside.
If it looked promising then Aster might be persuaded to let you have the boiler and fittings or you could have a new boiler made up by someone like Harry Wade. That route would leave a model with some integrity!!

Andrew

 

[zephyra]

Andrew, great idea - I might take the risk and buy the engine as the worst that could happen is endup with some attractive "shelf-ware".

 

[Charles]

Robert
We have investigated many times what is available via Hans and Aster for GS4: very few. The conversion would be extensive with most parts having to be custom made (throttle, boiler- though Accucraft one would be a consideration, pistons, wick container, fuel tank(again Accucraft would be consideration, blower, sight glass, etc.)
On the other hand having an electric at that price is a bargain either for an running, to admire or....desire I say parts. The possibility can be made a reality as shown by the work of Justin having gone from electric, gas fired and finally coal fired Accucraft K27. The steam community has seen several other conversion projects such as: N&W J, NYC Vanderbilt, Milwaukee Road Hiawatha so this would be another interesting project.