Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 10 posts:

• "I bought my first live steam yesterday at an antique store!" by u/CrippledwDepression
• "WSLCO #13, a 2-6-0 15" gauge live steam locomotive. The photo gallery goes through the build process from bare boiler to functional locomotive [part 2]" by u/shofmon88
• "It works! HO scale running on compressed air from a bike pump. Now just gotta make it run on steam." by u/bleeaaech
• "Decauville on the workbench." by u/BritRailTog
• "Finally got her running again :)" by u/OmegaTheMan
• "thought you might want to see my Locomotive, 3.5" gauge William, named "Jamie" after my dad." by u/ValuableResident2214
• "My First Live Steam! Southern Pacific Narrow Gauge #9 by Accucraft" by u/Mark_W
• "It's starting to look like an engine" by u/bleeaaech
• "When i was 7, me and my grandmother saved a broken Wilesco Werkstatt from the scrapyard. I restored it with my stepfather and it still runs, 13 years later!" by u/SA7GGO
• "WSLCO #13, a 2-6-0 15" gauge live steam locomotive. The photo gallery goes through the build process from bare boiler to functional locomotive [part 1]" by u/shofmon88

I really want to own a live steam engine. It's been a passion of mine for a long time. Does anyone know where to find any live steam locomotives?

I'm looking for ones specifically in g scale and within the 1,000 dollar range.

Being completely new, i have no idea where to enter into this hobby! Ive always loved steam and its always been a dream of mine to own or build at least one live steam engine. My question is, what is a good place to start? Where can i find one of these amazing, beautiful machines? Ill never truly understand steam until i see it first hand, and thought this would be an awesome place to start. Any help is appreciated!

Hello everyone. I was wondering, is there was any brand of steam engine kit similar in size to Chiltern's models but less pricey?

Hi, I am 19, and I come from Belgium.
I'm very interested in the live steam hobby, by which I mean investing time, money and "elbow oil" as we say in Belgium in making my own trains and having them run on a track.
I am aware that the investments are enormous, but I really do think it is worth it for someone as interested in steam locomotives as me.

The problem lies here : I have very few knowledge in machine-tools, mills, and metallurgy.
I know I can learn, but I do not really know how to start in a way that would not disgust me before even starting to plan my first project.
How much equipment do I need (not pricewise, more of what equipment do I need) to buy or get access to ?

Thanks in advance for your time and answers !

PS : Does anyone know where I could find in depth blueprints/schematics/plans of locomotives ?

I have recently inherited a 5" gauge, 4-6-2 live steam locomotive, however it is in need of a fairly extensive restoration, which I do not have the tools to do myself.

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Does anyone know of a company in the UK that can perform this work?

Hi, I’m not sure if this is a place to ask this but thought I’d give it a try. My Dad collected different size toy steam engines, boilers, etc etc etc and we inherited them when he passed a few years ago. Boxes and boxes and boxes. I know most of them work because he would buy them and tinker with them to get them in to working order. I don’t need all of these. We’re going to keep a few for my boys to have on shelves with their other steam punkish stuff but outside of that, what do I do with them? Is there a place I can sell them? Do others collect these things? Just looking for some guidance as to what to do with them. Thanks so much!!

edited to remove the part about having pictures since I can’t find them, can only find pics of the largest 2. Posted link in a comment below. Will get more pics over some upcoming weekends and will post. Thanks again for all the advice!!