My first "New" locomotive

Crayfish · Post by **Crayfish** » Mon Feb 07, 2011 2:51 pm

Hello everyone,

I have also just got my Accucraft Leader (in Maroon) and steamed it this weekend. I've made a little video and uploaded it to Youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6bae-90OpE

My only other engine is a Mamod so this is a world of difference for me. The gas burner on my Mamod will blow out at the slightest breeze which makes running it frustrating except on the stillest of days.

I love the Leader, it feels like a real piece of model engineering. It also dwarfs my Mamod and all my other stock. It's amazing how variable 16mm scale is.

I had one issue with the Leader, after a few minutes of being in steam the sight glass started to leak from the bottom. I unbolted it and reset the rubber washer and all seems well now. They are not the easiest bolts to get a spanner to so I hope it is fixed well now.

Am now considering options for lining it out. Not sure whether to get transfers from locolines or invest in a lining pen.

mhlr · Post by **mhlr** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 8:57 pm

Keith&Joanna:47919 wrote:Or you could sent it to Berry Hill Works, Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works, or Geoff Munday at Lightlines ;)

Or if you're a cheapskate, but have patience, you could also use Trimline for a 'simpler' lining job. Also good for seeing what colours go with the maroon!

Crayfish · Post by **Crayfish** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:35 am

mhlr:47993 wrote:Or if you're a cheapskate, but have patience, you could also use Trimline for a 'simpler' lining job. Also good for seeing what colours go with the maroon!

This describes me quite well, thanks for the tip!

I guess it's the other locos in my collection that gave you the idea I have a tight budget for this hobby

The Leader was my 40th birthday present and is expected to last me at least as long as my Mamod has (about 30 years),

Sir Clothem Cap · Post by **Sir Clothem Cap** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:59 am

Can you post some photos of the mamod burner as I don't recognis it

New Haven Neil · Post by **New Haven Neil** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:59 pm

I'm very pleased with mine! Fitted 2 ch r/c, lining and lettering from waterslide transfers custom made by Chris Moxham.

NHN

Dr. Bond of the DVLR · Post by **Dr. Bond of the DVLR** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:02 pm

WOW! That does look smart.

taliesin001 · Post by **taliesin001** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:02 pm

that looks stunning!

New Haven Neil · Post by **New Haven Neil** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:07 pm

Thanks guys - a lot of fiddly work to do the lining, but worth it. Plates are on order, 'Doona', Manx for 'Dark Maiden'.

DolwyddelanLightRail · Post by **DolwyddelanLightRail** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:55 pm

Cor now that IS nice!

hussra · Post by **hussra** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 11:00 pm

Very nice. I have seen it written that Leader isn't quite so straightforward to fit RC in as some of the other Accucraft locos - how did you find it?

New Haven Neil · Post by **New Haven Neil** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:19 pm

It's a handful to fit 2 channel, not for the faint hearted as none of the holes etc are pre drilled as in Edrig etc. I put an HS82 in the right side bunker for the reverser, the switch in the left, a Turnigy 555 under the footplate for the throttle (cut a slot in the footplate for throttle rod access) and planet 5 rx and rechargable cells under the 'ashpan'.

Takes a bit of doing, please don't try it unless you are competent at drilling holes and dremelling slots in your new loco!

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:22 pm

throttle

Is that similar to a regulator?

New Haven Neil · Post by **New Haven Neil** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:38 pm

I mostly model American.....

Narrow Minded · Post by **Narrow Minded** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:44 pm

Thought it was an R/C thing...........

New Haven Neil · Post by **New Haven Neil** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 8:57 pm

Nah, just transatlantic drift!

That's like thread drift.....

Gremlin · Post by **Gremlin** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:47 pm

Crayfish:47910 wrote:Hello everyone,

I have also just got my Accucraft Leader (in Maroon) and steamed it this weekend. I've made a little video and uploaded it to Youtube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6bae-90OpE

My only other engine is a Mamod so this is a world of difference for me. The gas burner on my Mamod will blow out at the slightest breeze which makes running it frustrating except on the stillest of days.

I love the Leader, it feels like a real piece of model engineering. It also dwarfs my Mamod and all my other stock. It's amazing how variable 16mm scale is.

I had one issue with the Leader, after a few minutes of being in steam the sight glass started to leak from the bottom. I unbolted it and reset the rubber washer and all seems well now. They are not the easiest bolts to get a spanner to so I hope it is fixed well now.

Am now considering options for lining it out. Not sure whether to get transfers from locolines or invest in a lining pen.

Nice little video and doesn't it run nicely. Having seen it i'd say it's a better bet than a Roundhouse Bertie as it would cost more to get Bert up to this spec. lovely looking loco, I'd love one

METHSSNIFFER · Post by **METHSSNIFFER** » Thu Mar 10, 2011 12:13 am

I dont think Ive ever had that feeling Mines more guilt for the amount of money Ive spent...you spend more money on your stupid models than you do on me!! What do I get some Talyllyn tea towels for xmas! says the other half..

Gremlin · Post by **Gremlin** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:20 pm

I'm very tempted by a Leader. The reviews look good and isn't much more than a Bertie. Last week I had a little ride on the footplate of Melior at the Sittingbourne & Kemsley railway.
I saw Leader in the shed, still in bits but they hope to have her running by October time.
I like the blue livery but she was only in green and will be painted and possibly lined like a LMS maroon. She has been red/maroon since being privately owned, so either would be correct.
I think it could be a green one for me, just need to raise a few more pounds.

RSB · Post by **RSB** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:38 pm

Gremlin:54462 wrote:I'm very tempted by a Leader. The reviews look good and isn't much more than a Bertie. Last week I had a little ride on the footplate of Melior at the Sittingbourne & Kemsley railway.
I saw Leader in the shed, still in bits but they hope to have her running by October time.
I like the blue livery but she was only in green and will be painted and possibly lined like a LMS maroon. She has been red/maroon since being privately owned, so either would be correct.
I think it could be a green one for me, just need to raise a few more pounds.

Owning one of each I would defiantly say that the "Leader" is the better option, comes fitted with water level gauge as standard(although its an extra option for the Bertie), and of course has fully working valve gear apposed to slip eccentric reverse. Plus of course it is a fairly good representation of the full size "Leader" where as Bertie is a freelance design.

Gremlin · Post by **Gremlin** » Thu Jun 02, 2011 10:47 pm

Lucky soul having both and you are in a position to compare both.
I think I'm sold on Leader being of a protoype rather than freelance. Not too bothered by a slip eccentric as I'm happy to run manual, but that could change in the future.
Also more chance of a Bertie coming up secondhand if I still wanted one.
I quite fancy getting a lining pen and giving it the Bowaters treatment. Might need some practice before attacking a loco.

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My first "New" locomotive

Leader

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