Hello All...

Lately, I've been diseased with diesel, but the action of those side rods on steamers has mesmerized me once again!

My vote for best side rod action is...my Lionel 736 Berkshire.

What's yours?

Either my Williams brass T1 or Challenger. Lots of monkey motion and moving parts.

Of course the side rod action on my jackshaft MTH DD1 electric is pretty neat too

With three sets of engines I do not know how you can beat the Erie Triplex.

Ron

It would have to be my scale N&W J. With its Baker valve gear it isnt as painfully obvious (as most other steamers) that its racing around the track with the valve gear in neutral...

The long stride of my scale Berkshires comes in first.

My scale Hudson, a close second.

They both have long eccentric rods that look good going down the line.

The Lionel 700E Hudson, both 1937 and modern, features valve gear that actually replicates the real thing, and therefore provides a bit more movement than any other modern steamer from any of the current manufacturers.

THIS thing's rods would have hypnotized you

UP HEXAPLEX

quote:

Originally posted by smd4:
and therefore provides a bit more movement than any other modern steamer from any of the current manufacturers.

Huh?

quote:

Originally posted by mdainsd:

quote:

Originally posted by smd4:
and therefore provides a bit more movement than any other modern steamer from any of the current manufacturers.

Huh?

If a picture is worth a 1000 words, how much are three movies worth?

Valve Gear Motion

Thanks Steve, you are correct, a picture (or video) is worth a thousand words.

The linkage motion issue was discussed in TM's Lionel hudson DVD. Their view was that the scale hudsons produced in America seemed to have all the correct motions, while the scale hudsons produced overseas lacked certain motions. They felt the overseas manufacturers didn't have enough access to American locomotive blueprints to get all the little details. Almost like a "lost in translation" kind of thing.

Yup. Lionels J1e Hudson with Vandy tender was the last one that had all the linkage working correctly.

I have that loco (somewhere). Im going to dig it out tonite and give her a run!

A majority of my HO steam locomotives have fully operational valve gear. Bowser offered it as part of the superdetail kit and you had to assemble it yourself.

Now I need to go back and look at some of my O gauge steam locomotives. I am curious about some of the Williams ones I have (the older brass versions).

Thanks for the video post. Interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by smd4:

quote:

Originally posted by mdainsd:

quote:

Originally posted by smd4:
and therefore provides a bit more movement than any other modern steamer from any of the current manufacturers.

Huh?

If a picture is worth a 1000 words, how much are three movies worth?

Valve Gear Motion

That is an awesome link! Thanks!

The ONLY steam locomotive model in 3-Rail O scale with CORRECT working valve gear that I am aware of is the Sunset/3rd Rail C&O "late" H-8 Allegheny. The gear moves in to "forward" and "reverse" when ever the model changes direction. I am not aware of ANY other O scale 3-Rail model manufacturer that has offered THAT yet!

For me it would be my Williams scale brass Cab Forward. Articulated steamers means lots of side rod action. :0

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Water:
The ONLY steam locomotive model in 3-Rail O scale with CORRECT working valve gear that I am aware of is the Sunset/3rd Rail C&O "late" H-8 Allegheny. The gear moves in to "forward" and "reverse" when ever the model changes direction. I am not aware of ANY other O scale 3-Rail model manufacturer that has offered THAT yet!

Yeah, but its always in the corner right?

J/K, i wish more locomotives operated like that. As I stated above, with the exception of the Hudson (thanks Steve) everything else runs around in neutral, drives me nuts.

MTH Blue Mountain & Reading T1 4-8-4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQaUqRUQPTU

Best views of rod action at 3:12-3:52, 4:00-4:20, and around 5:00

Alex

726/36 and 675 variants.

IT's a Three way tie :

PRR t1 4-4+4-4
PRR Hc1 2-8+8-2
PRR Q2 4-4+6-4

mdainsd,

Since the Lima Allegheny was designed as a "super power" locomotive and has "limited cut-off", being in the "corner" really isn't actualy "in the corner". Besides, considering the speeds that the C&O normally operated the H-8 class in coal train service, the Engineers probably didn't have them "hooked up" very far anyway. Since there is such little movement of the valves on O scale steam models, it would be pretty difficult to see/measure stroke differences between "in the corner" and "hooked up" anyway.

I guess mine would be my three cylinder 4-10-2 collection. The Baldwin version has double Walschaerts, with working cross-shafts amd an extra link on the left side. Both SP locomotives feature working Gresley gear, and one even has the correct lost wax spindle guides in front. Best of all, the Baldwin is purple!

Unfortunately I don't have any articulated locos yet, but I love watching my scale Hudsons double heading. 4 feet of loco looks great.

quote:

Originally posted by mdainsd:

J/K, i wish more locomotives operated like that. As I stated above, with the exception of the Hudson (thanks Steve) everything else runs around in neutral, drives me nuts.

I agree - the stationary radius bar on models with Walschaerts valve gear really looks crummy. Maybe if enough of us complain the makers will catch on - I'd rather see the valve gear stuck in forward than stuck in neutral. I've often wondered if you could modify an engine to get some motion - it seems like it wouldn't be that hard, but then you know how that goes...

My N & P Berk is my only steamer its old and good and dependable

It's just gotta be the 671/681/2020 Turbine.

Gotta love the 3rd Rail PRR Q1. The forward and rear facing cylinders make for very interesting motion as shown below.

I like the action on my MTH Imperial RK Big Boy, but I always wondered about that particular non effective connection on all my steamers. I'll have to see if I can alter it somehow.

I like the PRR Q1. I would be nice to have a Legacy version in the standard scale. Was this engine used for passenger or frieght? Any of the members here have a picture or video of a Q1?

I vote with Ron on our Erie Triplexes. Not only does it have impressive rod action, the looks of this engine is a real show stopper.

Hot Water is right.

I did see 3985 move its gear from front to rear after coming to a stop just north of Spring Jct. in the Houston area. Actually, 3985 has two sets of gear to change.....Something one does not see or hear very oftern.

Now the H-8 on the C&O: what a waste of a locomotive!

The little ETS articulated tank engine has two full sets of shiny, nickel plated valve gear right next to each other. Watching this little thing scoot around the layout is fun.

Side rod action can be Hazardous to your health. It's the same affect as watching tv to close!

Johnsgg1 is correct. Only in my case it's my 682 turbine. Love the movement of the big siderods and lube linkage PLUS the clanky noise they make.

Tony Sincius
TCA# 97-45101

Mth H-10

www.southoldstation.webs.com

Lionel Allegheny 2-6-6-6 or Virginian 2-8-8-2 or N&W Class A 2-6-6-4.

3rdrail Niagara. Got to love side rods with rollar bearings.

I have a modest fleet: six PS2 RK steamers of (largely) Virginia roads.

Even though i have a Virginian triplex, i'd haveta cast my vote fer the Y6b. The smaller drivers up the tempo at a given speed compared to, say, a Hudson and she always looks like she's working hard.

Golly, for non-articulated, there is no engine that compares to the N&W J: rods, sound, looks or whistle for me. I was six years old when i first saw one and i've never recovered.

-- gary ray

Lionel B&O EM-1

Always will be my 18056 Scale Hudson w/the Vanderbuilt Tender. Also, some of you may laugh, but the engine that got me started when I was 6 years old. My father's postwar 2037 2-6-4.
Just my opinion.
Mike R

OK guys, what are your favorite pre-war steamers with regard to side action?

Pre war-700E (No contest)
Post war-773/675/2026
modern-im sure there are plenty great engines with nice action but I love the Kline scale Mikado. It moves like a swiss clock and the cicking is hypnotizing.

Stevin -

I certainly can concur on the Kline Mikado; i never seriously considered one since not in a Virginia line's livery, but always admired them . . . particularly for the price, as well as (as you so aptly say) the clock-like rod action. Definitely a cut above my RailKings.

I suppose i regret not getting one . . . but suspect i would rarely run it; and i only keep runners.

Still, more's the pity.

-- gary ray

I love my ATSF 2-8-8-2's, especially the 3rd Rail model. Truly mesmorizing to watch its slow speed operation.

My Berkshire is good and so is my Greenbrier, but the Hudson J1e wins because the drivers are so big, the action is bigger i.e. a larger rotation of the rods.
.....
Dennis