Live Steam Marx 'Commodore', Ver. 2

One thing I like on my bigger Accucraft 7/8ths Emma is the fact they run the steam line from the regulator valve at the back, up through the fire tube as a superheater. It's not fancy, but drier hotter steam to the cylinders.

I don't know if it's possible, just trying to share an idea that simply routes the last pass out of the control valve forward to the steam chest.

Yeah, that helps with some engines. Interesting that it picks up oil before going into the flue...the oil must be scalding by the time it comes out the other side.

These tiny Commodore's steam lines are so short, superheating isn't as necessary.

What's not visible in the blown up pic are the bushings for the filler port, safety valve and throttle valve...

Joe

Sorry, I should have started my post off with how impressed I am by your idea of using the Mamod chassis and running gear. I am truly impressed and inspired by what you have done. The extra detail and hand work on your cab area and steps is impressive. Again, truly inspiring and impressive work and ideas. Now to find some Mamod parts. Also, I checked out that "Cricket" live steam page and got even more ideas.

It's all good, Vernon and thanks for the comments!

I'm very happy you're inspired just as I was when I saw my first live steam Marx Commodore by Carl Berg. His had an oscillator in the cab that was gear-driven to the rear wheels with the boiler in the tender! He made just about everything...

These are worthy projects that are relatively inexpensive in time and dough, not to mention needed skill is minimal with hand tools, rotary tool and drill press. I had the boilers/butane tank made then, but now I have the equipment (small metal lathe, Taig) to make bushings and a good silver solder torch to do my own boilers now.

If I knew how to upload vids from my phone to pc, I'd show you one pulling a huge string of tank cars from the National Summer Steam-up last September...

Joe

Hi Joe,

I found this thread from your comment on the Hudson thread - thank you.

So now I understand a little bit better,  the CV's are primarily a Mamod engine with essentially a tinplate re-skin.   This is a heck of an intriguing idea, and definitely lowers my concerns over simply not missing anything on a first attempt.   I am an engineer,  but I am not a machinist.  And I also and a huge tinplate fan.  I could definitely see adapting this concept to a 260 or 263 type locomotive body.

You got it...funny you should mention that engine...

Here's a 259e, cousin to the engines you mentioned, that was converted to wind-up. I used a Marx unit, easy to do and the only critical dimension is placement of the wind-up unit related to the side rods. Since there are no pressure castings, this little engine shell can take the heat of a live steam conversion. It also has that great 'American style' outline.

I think the pressure cast models can take the heat also, but would be less friendly during conversion, not nearly as forgiving as tin plate. Lionel's Commodore...                                         

Very nice - I have a 259e. I actually picked it up at one of the TCA museum yard sales.  I admit I never saw one converted to wind up before.

Also I started to check out the Cricket engines website.  What gauge are those machines?  They look like G scale but I honestly don't see the size on the website.

They are G scale.

My first Commodore uses a gen-1 boiler. I traded a Marx wind-up engine and a few tinplate cars for just the boiler. The steam dome is a bit problematic, but it has the throttle built in which is very convenient.

Joe