Off Topic

With Hornby not looking like reproducing live steam is it possible for someone else to do so? surely there is a market for them and the technology is obviously tried and tested now.

On May way to OOLS ownership I came across this article about homemade Z gauge live steam engines, that I thought may interest some. Almost impossible to find without chasing deadlinks into the internet archive, so likely not seen by many.

While I don't (yet) have the tools or machining skills, I can't help but wonder how much easier this would be with the OOLS electric heating approach. Not easy, just easier!

https://web.archive.org/web/20220109045358/http://www.zen98812.zen.co.uk/steam.html

A video from the 25th Steam Models Exhibition in Lauf (Bavaria, Germany)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqFukPAQhtg

Right at the beginning you see the Gauge 1 Live Steam layout 6 x 10 meters.

For 24 years we were sitting inside the layout preparing and operating the locos and I think this is common practice. Now and in future this is forbidden by the local fire chief due to missing escape route, operation must be done from the outside. For locos without RC quite a challenge. On top we got 3 electronic CO-alarms.

🤔🤔🤔 ??????????????????????? THANKS STEVE.