Anyone ever make a compressed-air/stored-steam model loco in O gauge?

I just ran across a Porter 0-4-0 that was owned by the Virginia Electric Power Company (VEPCO) and thought I'd post:

I think it's currently owned by the Old Dominion Chapter NRHS.

Does anyone make a Porter 0-4-0 in O-scale?

The Whippany Railway Museum in Morris County NJ has a 0-4-0 Porter too:

http://www.whippanyrailwaymuse...ooker-0-4-0f-no-7240

Bob Delbridge posted:

 

 

Does anyone make a Porter 0-4-0 in O-scale?

Grant Line once offered an O Scale 8-ton On3 and On30 Porter kit in three versions: saddle tank, side tank, tender.  I think they also may have offered a standard gauge conversion kit.

There's always the grossly oversized K-Line Porter...

Rusty

Would it be feasible to make an operating scale version of compressed air loco, using actual compressed air to work in cylinders? It would give actual chuff sounds without the added complexities of live steam. One question is whether a model can store an adequate reserve of compressed air for useful working.

Here's a small air locomotive operating in a British museum. 

I should think that unless the builder had some background in, say, live steam and high pressure vessels, venturing into the realm of compressed air for stored energy in the 1:48 model railroading (toy trains?) realm would be......dangerous??? 

Just a thought.

Simulation using a high-torque can micro-motor (check out what they use in today's hobby rage....drones!) would be preferable to me, given the challenge.   After all, those tanks look like battery holders to me!!

Life's short enough.  Not on my bucket list.  Best of luck to anyone accepting the challenge.

I'd sooner stare down Beelzebub eating one more greasy brat, an order of lard-laden French fries, followed up with a dessert of a Funnel Cake at one more York meet....than attempt a compressed air 1:48 engine for the first time!

Again......just a thought.

TEHO, of course.

KD

(With apologies to my cardiologist.)

Ace posted:

Would it be feasible to make an operating scale version of compressed air loco, using actual compressed air to work in cylinders? It would give actual chuff sounds without the added complexities of live steam. One question is whether a model can store an adequate reserve of compressed air for useful working.

The chuffs would sound more like "pffffts."

Rusty

About a year ago I had some old live steam model magazines and I Think  !!  they had articles on compressed air to run models. Don't have the mags any more so can't be sure.  Very possible though.  They run big locos on compressed air.

Firewood posted:

Here's a small air locomotive operating in a British museum...

Running on air, how cool !  The operator says there is only one set of eccentrics; you have to push it to reverse direction.

Also, I have read that you can run them on dry ice. Gives off CO2 as it melts.

Maybe the little CO2 cartridges for air pistols?

jim pastorius posted:

Also, I have read that you can run them on dry ice. Gives off CO2 as it melts.

The dry ice steamer:

http://ibls.org/mediawiki/inde...le=Cold_Steam_Engine

 I have a Brit magazine somewhere that described a similar track-power control system for live steam indoors. The wheels and/or axles were insulated for 2-rail and power was forward/reverse polarity to a motor that drove the 3-way control valve. Centered position was "closed". Moving off-center to "forward" or "reverse", gradually opened a tapered slot to allow steam (or CO2 vapour) through to the cylinders. The tapered slot meant you had a throttle in both directions, so the motorized valve acted as speed and reverse control. Clear as mud?   It would work just as well in 3-rail, if anybody builds or finds one of these.

5-second video of a G scale 1:20 model (I think)

No one has said it but these engines were used extensively in steel mills as steam was much more plentiful than at docks or other places. 

Here's an angle that's a little different.

Compressed air streetcars.    http://www.tramwayinfo.com/tra...Articles/Compair.htm