What a great day we had over at Thurnby today! I went over to collect my first-run Accucraft Garratt into which Rod had installed my faithful Futaba 2.4GHz digital r/c, as well as some work to change out the steam pipes and add silencing mesh to the burners [this last courtesy of Gordon Watson down in Oz - thanks guys].
The Garratt began to move at around 15psi and carried on for 48 minutes before running out of gas - the first time, that is. It was hauling Trevor's beautiful [and VERY heavy] Cowan & Sheldon Railway crane and twelve log cars as well...effortlessly.
We went on to run -
1. David's much re-worked Pearse 'Mallard' [the similarity lies in the colour-scheme, but little else].
2. Rob's beautifully-running Regner Gauge 1 'Kangarou' and Chiemsee tram locomotives.
3. Accucraft C-19
4. Accucraft Mogul
5. my Accucraft Garratt, a couple more times...
6. and Trevor's beautiful Accucraft GS-4 Daylight and a nice long consist.
This last loco, as with all the others, ran faultlessly and effortlessly as long as we kept it in water and gas, and was a real treat for the eye trumpets with its long steam plume lying down over the casing as it flew around the track in the 20C temps with its clear stack-talk as it negotiated the subtle grades of Trevor's sneaky trackwork. Watching it self-start with the merest hint of throttle and pull away with a distinct beat was a real joy.
Right now Trevor is doing his best to pursuade me that I can't live without the war-baby version...and reminding me I just happen to know where there is one for sale, too.
A great day for Accucraft locomotives, and a big thanks to the great bunch of guys who were there to share - David, Peter, Rob and Trevor, our host.
tac
The Garratt began to move at around 15psi and carried on for 48 minutes before running out of gas - the first time, that is. It was hauling Trevor's beautiful [and VERY heavy] Cowan & Sheldon Railway crane and twelve log cars as well...effortlessly.
We went on to run -
1. David's much re-worked Pearse 'Mallard' [the similarity lies in the colour-scheme, but little else].
2. Rob's beautifully-running Regner Gauge 1 'Kangarou' and Chiemsee tram locomotives.
3. Accucraft C-19
4. Accucraft Mogul
5. my Accucraft Garratt, a couple more times...
6. and Trevor's beautiful Accucraft GS-4 Daylight and a nice long consist.
This last loco, as with all the others, ran faultlessly and effortlessly as long as we kept it in water and gas, and was a real treat for the eye trumpets with its long steam plume lying down over the casing as it flew around the track in the 20C temps with its clear stack-talk as it negotiated the subtle grades of Trevor's sneaky trackwork. Watching it self-start with the merest hint of throttle and pull away with a distinct beat was a real joy.
Right now Trevor is doing his best to pursuade me that I can't live without the war-baby version...and reminding me I just happen to know where there is one for sale, too.
A great day for Accucraft locomotives, and a big thanks to the great bunch of guys who were there to share - David, Peter, Rob and Trevor, our host.
tac
