LGB/Aster Frank S, one of LGB's most unique engines

I agree.  I have toyed with buying one from time to time.  Not sure why I never pulled the trigger.  

I owned two of these at different times and both were great runners. The gas throttle valve is a bit finicky to adjust and there have been some after market modifications. Also, the addition of a boiler filler (Goodall) valve makes it easy to top up under pressure. The gas tank is a generous size, and the water bath helps keep the gas tank temperature at an optimal level. Use a good grade of medium weight steam oil, distilled water and multi-filtered butane gas, the kind sold for high quality lighters, and NOT the common Ronson! Also, the cylinder mounting screws should be checked after several runs, as they have a tendency to work loose. Always clean the gas nozzle from the REAR, and not from the front, so as not to damage the orifice. 

Yep, but IMHO, the tender gas tank was one of thier mistakes with the model.  If one looks at all the other narrow gauge models on the market, they had thier fuel tanks mounted in the cab.  Finescale Engineering in the UK used to offer an upgraded tank that reused the control valve and fuel line/jet set up from the original engine, but moved the fuel tank to the fireman's side tank.  Same fuel duration without the need for a water bath.  Made the Frank S much happier in cold weather operation.  Sadly this tank is nolonger offered, which is a shame as there are plenty of these engines that could use this upgrade. The Frank S is still one of the best entry level models out there.  Espically if you have tight R1 curves and turnouts.  Engines from Roundhouse and Accucraft have more fine scale flanges and wheel standards and I found they like to "pick" the frog on R1 turnouts as the check rail standards are a bit "loose" on LGB turnouts.  I have brass shims for a couple of mine, offered by a gentleman from Germany that sets up at the larger UK garden railway shows.  Had a friend in the UK get me a couple back when I had a Roundhouse engine.  That fixes the issue.  However, Frank S was built to LGB standards and is quite happy with no track modifications.    

artfull dodger posted:

 LGB decided to give live steam a try and had Aster, who where building beautiful live steamers in gauge 1 mostly, design up a squat and fat 0-6-0 tender loco. 

Design up?  There is a prototype for the Frank S:

Rusty

What I ment is most live steam up to that time was not able to run on LGB tight curves, but thru Aster they came up with a model of a prototype that can run on tight curves and capture the look of the real one.  

I agree that having the gas tank in the cab where it could absorb radiant heat from the boiler like on my Roundhouse Engineering SR&RL #24 is ideal. I always operated in a warmer climate so had no issues with my Frank S. ALL the gas throttle valves are very sensitive on the Frank S and really need some machining. Those cylinder mount screws will work loose - Aster has had problems with those on other engines. Loctite is recommended!

Checking fasteners should be part of everybody's pre steam up chores. Many live steamers need finer control on gas and throttle valves. Some steam oil or Vaseline on the valve o rings help a bit with them.  Windy and cold here today, so no garden railway time today

The "feeding and care" of miniature live steamers is a bit different than their electric brethren to be sure! Both of my Frank S locos ran smoothly and reliably in spite of their minor quirks. They are particularly well done 1:22.5 models and Aster captured that LGB "look" quite well! I no longer run any live steam but I particularly liked my Roundhouse Engineering SR&RL #24 with full RC. They build them well in Doncaster!

Yes, Aster captured the "LGB" look quite well!  I have had a few of those Doncaster built models, they are quite nice and thier basic series are lots of engine for little money.  Thier Billy kit can be done to look almost like a Stainz.  But, for those that might read this and consider one, the Roundhouse line of models do NOT like R1 turnouts without shimming the check/guide rail to prevent the engine from picking the frog.  The Frank S has no such issue with R1 turnouts.  The care and feeding of one of these when compared to an electric powered LGB engine, is one reason that the company felt resulted in the Frank S being a poor seller.  If one looks at the initial price when it was unveiled and what they were "dumped" for shortly there after.  It was quite a "steal" at the time.  One of the more popular conversions was Jim Hadden's "Frank the Tank" 2-6-2 saddle tank logging engine that used the Frank S as its basis.  Hard to tell the original unless you look hard at the valve motion.  Nice sunny but cold morning here today, going to try for an Easter passenger special here in a bit before the snow storm moves in this afternoon.    Mike the Aspie

One of the reasons I didn't get into live steam was what Artfull Dodger just mentioned, the care and feeding of live steam locomotives.  After much discussion with members on G Scale Central, I decided to stick with my electrically powered railway.  G Scale Central is made up of mostly Brits and they are and have been into live steam for a long, long time.  In fact, they are probably the largest contingent of live steam modelers in the world.  

The members message was basically, if you want to run live steam, everything else must go.  All of your time will be spent mothering your live steam loco or locos, if funds allow more than one.  

I must admit, running live steam is the nearest thing to the real deal.  And I get the attraction.  But, for me there are only so many hours to devote to a hobby without sacrificing family obligations.  

Most of you may already know about the live diesel first made by Wada Works, a Japanese company.  Now there's something for you diesel guys to fill all of your time with.    

Thats why I have both Dan, some days I have no desire to deal with the needs of a live steamer.  I have my 2073d and 2080d vintage LGB steamers that both have onboard battery power installed in them.  If your going to get a single live steamer, then the Frank S is a very smart choice.  And I wouldn't say everything else has to go.  They just demand your attention during the 20-30 min steam up with about the same amount of time afterwards to clean them up.  I do that while one of my battery engines runs for my enjoyment.  Its best to let them cool down a bit before wiping them down with  a soft rag.  There are some railways, both in the UK and here in the states that are run with just live steam and run just as a electricly powered line would be.  So it can be done.  I am also a member over at G scale central and also at the old G scale Mad site when it was active.  My GscaleMad membership pin is now the tail sign on that rear coach.     Mike the Aspie

At the peak of my live steam venture, I had three: Frank S, Roundhouse #24, and a custom built 2 truck Shay, but NOT the BEAUTIFUL LGB/Aster Shay!

Local shop has that LGB/Aster Shay, unfortunatly the owner that has it consigned wants way to much for it in relation to the current market.  Seen examples of it for not much over half his asking price and not selling online.  

From my reading, most lines in the UK or anywhere else for that mater do not rely on just live steam.  But have a few battery powered critters or engines to run with the lines resident live steamer(s).  Yes a live steamer has more upkeep than your typical electric powered model.  But not so much that it shuts down everything else.  At first maybe till you learn the engine and how it runs.  But after that, the enjoyment factory, the smells of hot oil and steam more than make up for the clean up needs and such.  I can enjoy a full run, from initial prep work to fire up the Frank S, to final wipe down and setting the model back on the mantel in just under 1 hour total.  And half that time is spent enjoying a battery powered engine run while I wipe the Frank S down prior to placing back on our mantel.  So I feel that a live steamer can be fit into any garden railroaders allowed railway time if thier budget allows.  With the current price of most new MLGB models, the Frank S is quite affordable most of the time with prices ranging from $800 to $1500 for a mint unrun example with $1000-1200 being the norm.   There might be one for $1200 for sale over on one of the facebook groups if the dealer has not sold it at the big show out east.  Was only run about 3 times, but lacked the original box.  It was super clean and looked brand new.   

Being afflicted with a moderate case of OCD, live steam prep and cleanup took much longer than one hour! I went to Diamondhead, MS twice for the International Small Scale Steamup in 1996 and 1997, and actually saw Mr. Wada demonstrate the diesel you mentioned as well as a prototype steam switcher. Also met Bing Lee, president of Accucraft. Great fun and lots of vendors from the UK and around our country!

I have fired and run 1:1 steam (2-8-0's) at the Tennessee Valley Railroad in Chattanooga, TN in the mid 1980's.

1:1 steam is really fun!   I got to fire NKP 587 many years ago down at the museum in Noblesville.  We were on training trip before the fair train runs started that year when the auto stoker quit on us.  So I got a quick lesson in hand firing a light Mikado that day.  

Diamondhead, MS is the York of small scale live steam, and it  has grown over the years with many manufacturers and venders from the UK, Japan, Australia, China, and the US. Mark Horowitz, the editor of Garden Railways is a regular attendee, and could provide more current information on this annual meet in mid-January, if you are interested!

I get Steam in the Garden magazine and know all about Diamondhead.  My wife and I hope to make it there in a couple years.   

Mark always includes a review of the meet each year as you know. He is a most interesting and talented chap!

You will enjoy your visit when you go! Some of those guys custom build their engines and there are some amazing models running!

I know a couple of them as they attend our local group's steamups.   I also got to meet Marc at the Cincy national garden RR show a few years ago.  He is a great guy.  

Glad you met him, and he is a great guy! I have subscribed to Garden Railways in the past, but occasionally pick it up at my local newstand! I subscribe to CTT, Trains, Classic Trains, OGR, and Railfan/Railroad! 

Steam in the Garden and Lawn and Garden Collector are the only two that I subscribe to and usually cannot be found on news stands.  I will pick up the others if an article is of interest.  I also have a pretty complete collection of LGB Telegram/Depesche and BTO Club magazine.  Mike the Aspie

My OCD, coupled with my basic laziness, has all but guaranteed my permanent exit from small scale live steam! It is more comfortable to run my Lionel and MTH standard gauge trains with my Z4000 from my office chair in my spare bedroom. I also have a nice R2 oval powered by an MRC Power G for my LGB. Sold off all my O gauge a few months back. Due to my age (75), dialysis and various orthopedic issues, 1:1 is definitely out! I have done a little bit of every gauge and the real thing, and have no regrets!

I miss running live steam.  For a year, a long while back, I ran a 16" gauge 1/4 scale Atlantic.  Best job ever.  I did inherit my grandfather's 7.5" gauge Chole, and ran it once, but I don't live close enough to any of the local clubs to run it often.  I've toyed with the idea of getting a G gauge steamer to run to fill this hole in my heart.

SINCLAIR: Hope you get to fulfill your wish!