RMweb Gold traction Posted December 31, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 31, 2014 After a long time, I bought myself the Hornby Mallard Live Steam set, for my birthday present. This was from my family but I bought it as they didn't know what to buy. Managed to get it off Ebay for a great price and it had never been used. I've been building my new 'Shed' to put the new layout in:- I've tested the loco on the rolling road just to get to grips with how you operate them. Also speaking with the guys on the OO live steam forum they did say to use 4th radius curves to prevent derailing, which I thought odd as the set comes with 3rd radius curves! Apparently 4th rad curves hadn't been released when the Live Steam was released, although with very great care it is possible to use 3rd radius it's much better to use 4th. They also recommend using express points, now as these locos go at a fair rate of knots, I just wanted an oval of track for it to run through the country side. I will be adding a point, but this will be for when I run DCC locos and disconnect the Live Steam set. So this is the first running on an oval of track to prove the loco will go over the level crossing and go through a setrack point, it will never go down the diverging route, but needed to make sure it would run through on the straight OK. The layout size will be 7.5ftx4.5ft this was just a simple test to make sure all was OK before cutting the wood and framework. The layout will be very simple which will make sense once I make a start on it, but for now the sounds of Live Steam:- I have to say running Live Steam is just excellent, the sounds and smells and just the driving experience are brilliant. If you get chance at an exhibition and the OO Live Steam guys are there try and have a go, you won't be disappointed. Hornby Should have included the rolling road with the sets and given much more info on how to run them correctly as I think it would have taken off much better. I do hope that one day they start to sell them again. Cheers Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublecee Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 welcome to the OO/LS club! You'll find LS is very addictive indeed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 I think it's a shame that such an innovative concept, cannot be made to pay in this current economic climate . Hope it returns at some point. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doublecee Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Well, I have no Crystal ball to hand. But I do know it was considered to be a flagship product at the time (and an opinion still held by many that have succumbed to its charms either at the time of release or after its demise). Who's to say what will happen? But in the rose tinted world I inhabit, I like to think that once the group is finally in a position to draw a line under the last few years, sighing a sigh of relief because all those pesky supply issues have been addressed, they may start to consider what to do with all the Live Steam know how they acquired durring its release. Its a product that is held in great regard by the users, enthusiasts and many at Margate. It was sad to see it go, but I do remain ever hopeful that it will return. A few tweaks here and there (such as the unwieldy 2 piece controller), and your good to go! I personally believe that DCC Live Steam topic is a non topic. What makes Live Steam so appealing is the fact that it is a challenge to master, on any layout, large or small. The moment you put CV's in charge of the regulator, you diminish the true joy that is Hornby Live Steam. To Anyone that missed the boat (and I am one of those that not only came back to the hobby late in life, but also well after L/S was dropped), it really is a different experience altogether. Its a totally visceral experience that assaults many senses. Sight (obviously), smell (oh yes... no amount of fragranced Seuthe oil can come even close), sound (from initial steam-up to the last dying chuff some 30 mins later), touch (dont forget your heat resistant gloves) its a truly unique experience. And one that I certainly hope our friends in Margate are giving some serious re-consideration to. Prior to my tentative steps into L/S, I was exceptionally sceptical. It was actually a friday night, glass of red wine / ebay affair. Im pretty sure this isnt unique to me. Im sure many of us have mixed the two, only to be somewhat confused on Tuesday when being asked to sign for a parcel. If I am alone in this, then surely I need help. But that was my first foray into Live Steam, and by the Tuesday, I really had a complete blank when confronted by the postman and a rather large box. As I unwrapped the box, I had this nagging thought in the back of my head that went something along the lines of: "I wonder if the reason why Hornby dropped it was because it was just a bit of a steaming t*rd". I noticed straight away that the loco itself was lacking any real super detail. Add to that, the materials used looked and felt different. So at this point, Im now starting to fear the worse, especially now as I suddenly recall the previous Fridays Buy It Now price. But as soon as that Mallard started to steam, I was hooked. Its a compelling, almost addictive experience that changes each time. Every loco has very different running characteristics. And of course, each loco demands to be treated with absolute respect. But if you follow a few very basic simple rules. Live Steam will eventually own you. So yes, I hope its flagship status is still never too far from the minds of those that make certain decisions. I am always dropping hints whenever we are out scanning loco's, and will continue to do so until they politely request I stop It pains me to see the current E-Bay prices. I hate it when sellers shill something to the point of generating a form of super exclusivity, and depriving others from a superb experience. The last Live Steam set I bought was another Full Mallard set (which I renumbered to Bittern) from Cash Converters online shop. £175 inc postage. So if you are looking, theres a good place to start. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold traction Posted February 8, 2015 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 8, 2015 Thanks to Eric one of the OO live Steam club members, he pointed me to a seller at Doncaster exhibition that had the Double Tender Flying Scotsman on his stand. He was selling at a very good price so had to snap it up:- Video, I think it's been over oiled but nothing too serious. What a great find! Cheers Ian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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