Hornby Live Steam

[magickmaker]

I am seriously considering purcasing the Live steam set that just recently came out from Hornby. If not that, I expect to get some of their DCC sets. The only question I have is what would you recommend? I'm not certain if I want the Live steam or not. It's tempting, yes, but...
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Carie

 

[RooRocz]

The live steam sets look really food; I'd go for it. The one drawback is that you'd have to give it its own block to run on due to the special controls.

 

[magickmaker]

Apparently, they don't run on DCC, but will run fine with DC locomotives so long as you've isolated it (like you suggest). I think, eventually, we'll see a whole line of live steam locomotives and sets from Hornby, but the mallard is just the first run of them.
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Web shows

 

[lner]

What I intend to do is buy the Flying Scotsman live steam set then purchase A4 Silver Link in live steam,, thereby having the best of both worlds, expensive yes but this allows you to have the first streak. I suppose it could be done with the Mallard set as well.

 

[bird_d00]

Be carefull with these though - you cannot run them on an existing layout, and you cannot use standard track for them. You have to use the special track that comes with the sets. This is because of the enormous amount of current these things draw (I think 3-5 amps) to generate the steam. Using standard trackage would result in an enormous voltage drop over a short length of track, probably causing the plastic track components to melt, and the loco to only operate a few feet from the power connector.

Dave Bird

 

[flathog]

My mate has had no problems running his on standard track...?

Tom
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digital vaporizer

 

[magickmaker]

They're designed to run on standard track. Their own site says that they barely get above 17 volts of power when running. The only portion of the locomotive that really gets hot is the tender, but then again that's only as hot as boiling water; so you're not looking at that much.

I've decided to get the set, partly from what I've read here, but also from this site.

http://www.hornby.com/customer-support/faq/hornby-live-steam,42,HAR.html
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Sunset Boulevard Residence 2