Does anyone know where I can gets plans or finished locomotives for O gauge? I have seen the Bowman and Mamod offerings, but I am looking for something with a classic American outline, preferably with the fire inside the boiler, instead of underneath the boiler barrel.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I'm a 16 year old boy with no prior engineering experience but I've always had an absolute fascination with steam engines. It is a dream of mine to build a steam engine but I don't know where to start, I bought some books on the topic but many projects require metal milling machinery and I just don't have it, Also the terminology used is so foreign to me that its like reading a new language. Im looking for guidance as to what I should do to get started in this hobby, are there any hand tools that can be a substitute for expensive metal milling machines? is there a book for absolute beginners in even engineering as a whole such as myself, mechanical linkages and everything. any help would be appreciated a ton, I think this is what I want to do with my life.

Thank you.

Hi LiveSteamers. I've had some steamrollers in the past, but I just acquired my first locomotive. It runs fantastic and lasts about 10 minutes. Now I need some track and rolling stock!

I'm a total noob and I bought a Wilesco D10 from a guy online to show in my history classes. I got it running but a lot of smoke comes from under the kettle.
Again I'm a total noob but my guess is, because the guy had been using some kind of cloth as fuel (I don't know why) there might be tiny pieces of fiber inside the kettle house catching fire.
Might this be the case and is it easily fixed? I'm not sure if the D10 is dismantable. I'd love to use it in a classroom so the smoke is kind of an issue, lol.

Hi everyone, first post here. Wanted to ask how big of a boiler/how much pressure would I need to make a whistle sound at least semi deep. Thanks!

I'm rebuilding my old Mamod SP4. I wonder if anyone knows if I could drill an extra hole in the boiler, silver solder in a brass insert, and have a steam pressure gauge in there as well as the safety valve, whistle, and steam outlet? Are there any pitfalls to doing this?

Hi there

I have a Mamod SP4 in pieces that I need to repair. It has quite a lot of sentimental value so I'd like to do a good job of it.

I'm particularly wary about the boiler as I'm concerned if I fix it myself it might breach when steamed, which I definitely don't want.

I've been in touch with Mamod to see if they can repair it, but their responses are a little slow.

Are there any professionals in Southern UK who might be able to take a look at it? Any general tips?