.

Wow! The details on that thing are exceptional!

Unfortunately I still need $248,800 to buy it though, but thanks for sharing that with me! 

Railfan Brody posted:

Wow! The details on that thing are exceptional!

Unfortunately I still need $248,800 to buy it though, but thanks for sharing that with me! 

However, that locomotive would be a WHOLE LOT CHEAPER for you then that 6218 in Canada!!!!!

I'm no rivet counter, but .... wow! That thing is a beauty!

Very affordable, too ....

Maybe I could buy a live steamer after my schooling is complete and I have a full-time job. Aren't live steamers custom built? If so, maybe I could build one!

On the topic of operating a live steamer, what fuel does it use and do you have to fire it?

I like to watch these things being run on youtube and I must say the detail on this one is just amazing!! The first picture is excellent and shows the details very well. I think that is the most detail I have seen on one of these so far, not that I have seen all that many, but still very impressive. Now, where did I leave that lottery ticket...

Or I could get this house in Oregon.

One BEAUTIFUL machine! NOT a bad price considering the quality of the craftsmanship and man-hours of fabrication. Has Rich seen this yet?

Railfan Brody posted:

On the topic of operating a live steamer, what fuel does it use and do you have to fire it?

Of course you have to fire it! You need heat to make steam, which--in a steam locomotive--comes from fire.

Depending on the engine, the fuel will be just what the real thing burns--coal, oil or wood.

smd4 posted:

Railfan Brody posted:

On the topic of operating a live steamer, what fuel does it use and do you have to fire it?

Of course you have to fire it! You need heat to make steam, which--in a steam locomotive--comes from fire.

Depending on the engine, the fuel will be just what the real thing burns--coal, oil or wood.

I know that. I mean do you have to also control the firing valves like in a real locomotive or are they automatic?

The first words of the second paragraph are 'coal fired/steam generated'.  How big is it?  What is used for?  A lawn railroad?  

Wow, that is b-e-a-utiful!!!

William 1 posted:

The first words of the second paragraph are 'coal fired/steam generated'.  How big is it?

Inch and a half SCALE, 71/2" gauge track. The engine alone weighs 1100 pounds dry, without the tender.

 What is used for?

Fun.

 A lawn railroad?  

Generally a LOT larger than a "lawn railroad".

Wonder if it has a working stoker?

Railfan Brody posted:

smd4 posted:

Railfan Brody posted:

On the topic of operating a live steamer, what fuel does it use and do you have to fire it?

Of course you have to fire it! You need heat to make steam, which--in a steam locomotive--comes from fire.

Depending on the engine, the fuel will be just what the real thing burns--coal, oil or wood.

I know that. I mean do you have to also control the firing valves like in a real locomotive or are they automatic?

I don't know if it has a stoker and jets--but looking at those pictures, I wouldn't doubt it.

If so, then yes, you would have to fire the engine using those controls.

If not, you will still need to fire using the controls available. You will still need to put water in when necessary. You will still need to add coal when necessary.

The detailing and appliances are truly breathtaking!

Railfan Brody posted:

Or I could get this house in Oregon.

 

Except you will need about three million for THAT.  Having been to Mr. Miller's place, it is well worth his asking price, if it is indeed still for sale. 

That is magnificent!  

WOW!!This just blows me away.Detail to the way pass out standing.Surprised rich has not seen this.If I only had the money.

It is approximately 1/8 scale. I don't know how long an NKP Berk & tender are but if 80 ft then the 'model' would be about 1 ft wide and 10 ft long.

...the finest "Big Boy" Berkshire For Sale in the world...

Huh? Big Boy?

So, does someone ride on it?  It is coal fired/steam generated.  I assume someone has to go for a ride to man the controls.  It's not going to run itself.

Hot Water posted:

 

 A lawn railroad?  

Generally a LOT larger than a "lawn railroad".

Depends on the size of the lawn, wouldn't it?

Man, a quarter million bucks. I think that'll be for sale for a very long time.

Stuff like this is why hot rods and model train layouts hardly ever sell for anywhere near what the original owner had on them (if they sell at all): The buyer would have rather done some/all the work himself and the finished product is NEVER exactly what the potential buyer would have wanted.

William 1 posted:

So, does someone ride on it?

Apparently you are not familiar with inch and a half  live steam models. Yes, the operator sits on the tender, and there should be steel rods for your foot supports. On oil fired models, some operators ride on a "control car" coupled to the tender, and the throttle & fuel controls are mounted on the rear of the tender.

 It is coal fired/steam generated.  I assume someone has to go for a ride to man the controls.  It's not going to run itself.

And there you have it!!!!

I get it now.  Thanks.  That's quite a model.  The Milwaukee zoo has a sit on coal fired/steam generated engine that pulls carloads of people around the zoo.  It really runs great.  It may be the same scale, but not as large and certainly no where near as detailed.  I always enjoy seeing and taking the tour behind that beauty.

William 1 posted:

coal fired/steam generated

William 1 posted:

It is coal fired/steam generated.  

Can we retire this term ASAP, before it makes its way into the general rail fan/modeler community, and somehow becomes accepted as legitimate?

Wow! Just beautiful. Real craftsmanship at its best.

As others have noticed, we haven't heard from Rich Melvin in regard to his impression of the 1-1/2" scale models, particularly for a locomotive that he is very familiar with. Of course not everyone is interested in live steam. I always thought it would be nice to give Rich the opportunity to run one of 765's little sisters.
Jim Kreider

Sorry, Jim...I didn't see this thread until this evening. I don't get here every day.

I would love the opportunity to run one of your 1-1/2" scale Berks! Is the one for sale one of yours? It certainly is a work of art!

Mr. Melvin could come over to ILS and run my Hudson.  They have anniversary meet in August.

Thanks for the invite, John. One correction, however. "Mr. Melvin" was my father. 

Rich:
Yes the 776 is one of mine. I wish it belonged to me however. It was machined and assembled by Bruno Platzer in Las Vegas.
It would be nice if we could arrange a get-together with you and, as I say, one of 765's little sisters. We have spring and fall meets here in southern California and Arizona, and sometimes back east. I will try to keep you posted.
One of the engines that just ran at the meet in Arizona was the 759 which belongs to Larry Kirchner of Maryland (soon to be living in Arizona). I've used his 759 as the cover girl on my "Berkshire Modelers" Facebook group.
Some comments from Larry: To quote him, "She is very stable. The main issue is the locomotive wants to get away from you. I'm running at 145 psi. The whole time I'm running I will have at least one safety and sometimes two popping off. Only way to cool off is adding more and more water.
Once we put 26 cars behind her, she ran even better. I'm not sure what she'll pull. We'll just keep adding until she won't do anymore. Even with that train, acceleration was not a problem. It's very hard to keep the speed down."
BTW, John Mills Hudson is a beautiful locomotive.
Congratulations on many years of service with 765. You helped give us all a lot of great mtemories. I spent a lot of time in the cab with you, Tom Stephens, Bill Purdie, Jim Willard, and others.
Jim Kreider

Now I really get it.  Thanks.  Very cool.

Jim, it would be great if you kept me posted on your activities. The Lovely and Gracious Linda and I are going to be doing a lot of traveling in the motor home in the coming years, including the west coast. One of the drives we're planning is to run the Pacific Coast Highway from one end to the other.

Email me via my email address here and I'll send you my personal email address and other contact information.

Reminds me I must revisit Chesapeake & Alleghany Live Steamers west of Baltimore MD.

"Our track consists of (depending on who measures) 3200ft-3400ft, 7-1/2" double tracked main line, 1630ft of 4-3/4" on the ground, and 1050ft of elevated 4-3/4" and 3-1/2" track located on about 11.5 acres."

http://www.calslivesteam.org/

Checked the CALS schedule and saw they were running today! Weather promised to be perfect so I cruised on up to Baltimore. 

Then I hiked 7mi around Leakin Park. Gonna sleep good tonight!