Category:Beginners - Revision history

Dnevil: /* General Large Scale Information */

2025-02-06T16:20:57Z

General Large Scale Information

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			== Discovering Live Steam: A Hobby Like No Other ==

			Hey there, fellow enthusiasts! If you’ve ever been captivated by the sight and sound of a steam locomotive chugging along, then live steam might just be the perfect hobby for you. Let’s dive into what makes this fascinating world tick!

			'''What is Live Steam?'''

			'''Live Steam''' refers to the hobby of building operational locomotives, rolling stock, track, buildings, etc in scales of 1/2 inch to the foot through 5 inches to the foot. In many cases the locomotives are true steam locomotives that operate just like their bigger brothers. These scale locomotives are powerful and can haul many adults.

			'''Why Get Into Live Steam?'''

			Here are a few reasons why live steam is such an exciting hobby:

			: Realism: Live steam models are incredibly detailed and operate just like their full-sized counterparts.

			: Community: Join a vibrant community of enthusiasts who share your passion for model railroading and steam engines.

			: Hands-On Experience: Building and maintaining your own live steam locomotive can be a rewarding challenge.

			'''What Can You Explore?'''

			: Locomotives: From small models to larger, more complex engines, there’s a wide variety to choose from. Models based on diesel or electric prototypes are included in the Live Steam hobby.

			: Rolling Stock: Collect and operate different types of cars to create your own miniature railway. Or better yet, build your own!

			: Track and Accessories: Set up your own railroad with tracks, stations, and scenery to bring your vision to life. Many of the scales, including 1.5 inch and 3/4 inch scale, are small enough to fit in your back yard.

			'''Final Thoughts'''

			Whether you’re a seasoned model railroader or just starting out, live steam offers a unique blend of history, engineering, and creativity. So why not give it a try? You might just find yourself hooked on the thrill of steam!

			Happy teaming! 🚂 What aspect of live steam are you most curious about?

	== General Large Scale Information ==		== General Large Scale Information ==

Dnevil: /* Choosing a Steam Locomotive */

2023-09-06T16:53:47Z

Choosing a Steam Locomotive

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:53, 6 September 2023
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	<youtube>fWSmGpLFidw</youtube>		<youtube>fWSmGpLFidw</youtube>

			== Building a Railroad ==

			<youtube>i9EcsGuHk34</youtube>

Dnevil: /* Operating a Steam Locomotive */

2023-04-20T20:16:25Z

Operating a Steam Locomotive

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 20 April 2023
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	== Operating a Steam Locomotive ==		== Operating a Steam Locomotive ==

	<youtube>~~yPdP3-RD14A~~</youtube>		<youtube>HfpJUOjGNx8</youtube>

	== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==		== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==

Dnevil: /* Choosing a Steam Locomotive */

2023-04-20T20:15:07Z

Choosing a Steam Locomotive

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:15, 20 April 2023
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	See [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]].		See [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]].

	<~~videoflash~~>fWSmGpLFidw</~~videoflash~~>		<youtube>fWSmGpLFidw</youtube>

Dnevil: /* Operating a Steam Locomotive */

2023-04-20T20:14:46Z

Operating a Steam Locomotive

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 20 April 2023
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	== Operating a Steam Locomotive ==		== Operating a Steam Locomotive ==

	<~~videoflash~~>yPdP3-RD14A</~~videoflash~~>		<youtube>yPdP3-RD14A</youtube>

	== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==		== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==

Dnevil: /* One Part At A Time */

2020-09-25T01:25:06Z

One Part At A Time

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:25, 24 September 2020
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	: Countless people have stopped by my place, viewed my work in progress and perhaps one or two of those will find an interest. When chatting with the visitors, if they POO POO on their own skills, I try to work the conversation around to what I was told... "Of course you can, just build it one piece at a time. I can help."		: Countless people have stopped by my place, viewed my work in progress and perhaps one or two of those will find an interest. When chatting with the visitors, if they POO POO on their own skills, I try to work the conversation around to what I was told... "Of course you can, just build it one piece at a time. I can help."

			== Operating a Steam Locomotive ==

			<videoflash>yPdP3-RD14A</videoflash>

	== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==		== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==

Dnevil: /* Choosing a Steam Locomotive */

2020-09-01T23:38:49Z

Choosing a Steam Locomotive

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:38, 1 September 2020
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	See [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]].		See [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]].

			<videoflash>fWSmGpLFidw</videoflash>

Dnevil: /* One Part At A Time */

2020-01-21T16:14:01Z

One Part At A Time

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:14, 21 January 2020
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	: Countless people have stopped by my place, viewed my work in progress and perhaps one or two of those will find an interest. When chatting with the visitors, if they POO POO on their own skills, I try to work the conversation around to what I was told... "Of course you can, just build it one piece at a time. I can help."		: Countless people have stopped by my place, viewed my work in progress and perhaps one or two of those will find an interest. When chatting with the visitors, if they POO POO on their own skills, I try to work the conversation around to what I was told... "Of course you can, just build it one piece at a time. I can help."

			== Choosing a Steam Locomotive ==

			See [[Steam Locomotive Drawings]].

Dnevil: /* Choose a Scale */

2018-06-26T16:29:05Z

Choose a Scale

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:29, 26 June 2018
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	: For that feeling of real railroading, you must "Ride The Train." Smaller scales cannot provide the feeling of real railroading. Find out what slack in a long train feels like, feel what a train will do when you try to stop fast. In 1-1/2 inch scale, cars are large enough to ride on comfortably. You don't need a lot of room to build a railroad, most backyards will do. Since you can run but one locomotive at a time by yourself, most backyard railroads have only 1 or 2 locomotives and a few cars. This makes the cost comparable to a moderate railroad in smaller scale. Other things that 1-1/2 inch scale have to offer include working on [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts\|cars]] and [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts\|locomotives]] of much larger size (also easier on the eyes); the chance to [[:Category:Construction\|learn machining]] while making parts for your railroad; [[:Category:Right of Way\|track construction and maintenance]] similar to the prototype and outdoor railroading.		: For that feeling of real railroading, you must "Ride The Train." Smaller scales cannot provide the feeling of real railroading. Find out what slack in a long train feels like, feel what a train will do when you try to stop fast. In 1-1/2 inch scale, cars are large enough to ride on comfortably. You don't need a lot of room to build a railroad, most backyards will do. Since you can run but one locomotive at a time by yourself, most backyard railroads have only 1 or 2 locomotives and a few cars. This makes the cost comparable to a moderate railroad in smaller scale. Other things that 1-1/2 inch scale have to offer include working on [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts\|cars]] and [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts\|locomotives]] of much larger size (also easier on the eyes); the chance to [[:Category:Construction\|learn machining]] while making parts for your railroad; [[:Category:Right of Way\|track construction and maintenance]] similar to the prototype and outdoor railroading.

	: The following is written as an introduction to newcomers in the hobby. If you have not yet decided on a scale or gauge, perhaps the following comments will help in your decision.		: The following is written as an introduction to newcomers in the hobby. If you have not yet decided on a scale or [[Gauge\|gauge]], perhaps the following comments will help in your decision.

	: Live steam and large-scale model railroading have covered the following scales: 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch, 2 inch, 2-1/4 inch, 3 inch and 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Of these scales, 2-1/2 inch and 3-3/4 inch are primarily devoted to narrow gauge modeling, which we will discuss later. In standard gauge modeling, 1-1/2 inch scale has become the most popular. The reason for this is obvious, 1-1/2 inch scale models are about the smallest that most people can ride comfortable and yet the models can be made light enough to be transported fairly easily. The next most popular scale is 1 inch to the foot, where cars are 10 inches in width making them difficult to sit on. Smaller scales are almost always ridden sidesaddle on elevated tracks. The larger scales, 2 inch and 2-1/4 inch to the foot have not had many followers making availability of parts somewhat difficult. 3 inches to the foot becomes a park size train. Since the weight of locomotives and rolling stock is proportional to the cube, 3 inch models will weigh almost eight times as much as a 1-1/2 inch scale model.		: Live steam and large-scale model railroading have covered the following scales: 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch, 2 inch, 2-1/4 inch, 3 inch and 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Of these scales, 2-1/2 inch and 3-3/4 inch are primarily devoted to narrow gauge modeling, which we will discuss later. In standard gauge modeling, 1-1/2 inch scale has become the most popular. The reason for this is obvious, 1-1/2 inch scale models are about the smallest that most people can ride comfortable and yet the models can be made light enough to be transported fairly easily. The next most popular scale is 1 inch to the foot, where cars are 10 inches in width making them difficult to sit on. Smaller scales are almost always ridden sidesaddle on elevated tracks. The larger scales, 2 inch and 2-1/4 inch to the foot have not had many followers making availability of parts somewhat difficult. 3 inches to the foot becomes a park size train. Since the weight of locomotives and rolling stock is proportional to the cube, 3 inch models will weigh almost eight times as much as a 1-1/2 inch scale model.

Dnevil: /* Choose a Scale */

2018-06-26T16:24:57Z

Choose a Scale

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:24, 26 June 2018
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	From [[Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc]], Catalog 6-B		From [[Koster's Miniature Railroad Supplies, Inc]], Catalog 6-B

	[[Bill Koster]] says: "Welcome to the hobby of Large-Scale Model Railroading."		: [[Bill Koster]] says: "Welcome to the hobby of Large-Scale Model Railroading."

	For that feeling of real railroading, you must "Ride The Train." Smaller scales cannot provide the feeling of real railroading. Find out what slack in a long train feels like, feel what a train will do when you try to stop fast. In 1-1/2 inch scale, cars are large enough to ride on comfortably. You don't need a lot of room to build a railroad, most backyards will do. Since you can run but one locomotive at a time by yourself, most backyard railroads have only 1 or 2 locomotives and a few cars. This makes the cost comparable to a moderate railroad in smaller scale. Other things that 1-1/2 inch scale have to offer include working on [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts\|cars]] and [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts\|locomotives]] of much larger size (also easier on the eyes); the chance to [[:Category:Construction\|learn machining]] while making parts for your railroad; [[:Category:Right of Way\|track construction and maintenance]] similar to the prototype and outdoor railroading.		: For that feeling of real railroading, you must "Ride The Train." Smaller scales cannot provide the feeling of real railroading. Find out what slack in a long train feels like, feel what a train will do when you try to stop fast. In 1-1/2 inch scale, cars are large enough to ride on comfortably. You don't need a lot of room to build a railroad, most backyards will do. Since you can run but one locomotive at a time by yourself, most backyard railroads have only 1 or 2 locomotives and a few cars. This makes the cost comparable to a moderate railroad in smaller scale. Other things that 1-1/2 inch scale have to offer include working on [[:Category:Railroad Car Parts\|cars]] and [[:Category:Steam Locomotive Parts\|locomotives]] of much larger size (also easier on the eyes); the chance to [[:Category:Construction\|learn machining]] while making parts for your railroad; [[:Category:Right of Way\|track construction and maintenance]] similar to the prototype and outdoor railroading.

	The following is written as an introduction to newcomers in the hobby. If you have not yet decided on a scale or gauge, perhaps the following comments will help in your decision.		: The following is written as an introduction to newcomers in the hobby. If you have not yet decided on a scale or gauge, perhaps the following comments will help in your decision.

	Live steam and large-scale model railroading have covered the following scales: 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch, 2 inch, 2-1/4 inch, 3 inch and 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Of these scales, 2-1/2 inch and 3-3/4 inch are primarily devoted to narrow gauge modeling, which we will discuss later. In standard gauge modeling, 1-1/2 inch scale has become the most popular. The reason for this is obvious, 1-1/2 inch scale models are about the smallest that most people can ride comfortable and yet the models can be made light enough to be transported fairly easily. The next most popular scale is 1 inch to the foot, where cars are 10 inches in width making them difficult to sit on. Smaller scales are almost always ridden sidesaddle on elevated tracks. The larger scales, 2 inch and 2-1/4 inch to the foot have not had many followers making availability of parts somewhat difficult. 3 inches to the foot becomes a park size train. Since the weight of locomotives and rolling stock is proportional to the cube, 3 inch models will weigh almost eight times as much as a 1-1/2 inch scale model.		: Live steam and large-scale model railroading have covered the following scales: 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 1-1/2 inch, 2 inch, 2-1/4 inch, 3 inch and 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Of these scales, 2-1/2 inch and 3-3/4 inch are primarily devoted to narrow gauge modeling, which we will discuss later. In standard gauge modeling, 1-1/2 inch scale has become the most popular. The reason for this is obvious, 1-1/2 inch scale models are about the smallest that most people can ride comfortable and yet the models can be made light enough to be transported fairly easily. The next most popular scale is 1 inch to the foot, where cars are 10 inches in width making them difficult to sit on. Smaller scales are almost always ridden sidesaddle on elevated tracks. The larger scales, 2 inch and 2-1/4 inch to the foot have not had many followers making availability of parts somewhat difficult. 3 inches to the foot becomes a park size train. Since the weight of locomotives and rolling stock is proportional to the cube, 3 inch models will weigh almost eight times as much as a 1-1/2 inch scale model.

	In 1-1/2 inch scale, two gauges of track are used, [[7-1/4 vs 7-1/2 Gauge\|7-1/2 inch and 7-1/4 inch]]. All of the United States with the exception of most of New England, New York and parts of Pennsylvania & New Jersey are 7-1/2 inch gauge. In New England most of the trackage is 7-1/4 inch. For this reason, when considering your choice of gauge, it is suggested that you use the same gauge as others in your area. This allows for interchange such as a t meets, where live steamers from all over gather to operate their equipment on one track. Neither of the above gauges are exactly correct as the prototype track gauge (56-1/2 inches) divided by 8 comes out to exactly [[7-1/4_vs_7-1/2_Gauge#Arguments_for_7-1.2F16.22_Gauge\|7-1/16 inch]]. For this reason, a few modelers using 7-1/2 inch gauge track will build their models to 1-5/8 inch (1.6 inch) to the foot. A locomotive built to these proportions does look considerably more massive when displayed alongside a model following the 1-1/2 inch scale dimensions.		: In 1-1/2 inch scale, two gauges of track are used, [[7-1/4 vs 7-1/2 Gauge\|7-1/2 inch and 7-1/4 inch]]. All of the United States with the exception of most of New England, New York and parts of Pennsylvania & New Jersey are 7-1/2 inch gauge. In New England most of the trackage is 7-1/4 inch. For this reason, when considering your choice of gauge, it is suggested that you use the same gauge as others in your area. This allows for interchange such as a t meets, where live steamers from all over gather to operate their equipment on one track. Neither of the above gauges are exactly correct as the prototype track gauge (56-1/2 inches) divided by 8 comes out to exactly [[7-1/4_vs_7-1/2_Gauge#Arguments_for_7-1.2F16.22_Gauge\|7-1/16 inch]]. For this reason, a few modelers using 7-1/2 inch gauge track will build their models to 1-5/8 inch (1.6 inch) to the foot. A locomotive built to these proportions does look considerably more massive when displayed alongside a model following the 1-1/2 inch scale dimensions.

	Narrow gauge modeling on existing tracks can present an interesting variation. For example, if one wishes to model a 3 foot narrow gauge prototype and uses 7-1/2 inch track gauge, the model is then built to a scale of 2-1/4 inch to the foot. Since narrow gauge cars are at least 8 feet in width, the models are then at least 20 inches wide. If the model is of a 2 foot prototype, the scale then becomes 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Modeling in these two scales can provide large models with the ability to be compatible with 1-1/2 inch scale models on 7-1/2 inch gauge track. The two limitations in narrow gauge are a lack of commercially available parts as well as the necessity to model old time equipment.		: Narrow gauge modeling on existing tracks can present an interesting variation. For example, if one wishes to model a 3 foot narrow gauge prototype and uses 7-1/2 inch track gauge, the model is then built to a scale of 2-1/4 inch to the foot. Since narrow gauge cars are at least 8 feet in width, the models are then at least 20 inches wide. If the model is of a 2 foot prototype, the scale then becomes 3-3/4 inch to the foot. Modeling in these two scales can provide large models with the ability to be compatible with 1-1/2 inch scale models on 7-1/2 inch gauge track. The two limitations in narrow gauge are a lack of commercially available parts as well as the necessity to model old time equipment.

	Whatever your choice of scale or gauge, you will find that large scale model railroading will provide you with a most rewarding hobby.		: Whatever your choice of scale or gauge, you will find that large scale model railroading will provide you with a most rewarding hobby.

	== One Part At A Time ==		== One Part At A Time ==