Hornby Live Steam

This is not just model railways; this is real steam model railways! What is more evocative of a time gone by than the sight and smell of a powerful steam locomotive surging through the countryside, great plumes of steam pouring from its chimney, pistons pumping, whistle blowing!

Now those wonderful halcyon steam powered days can be recreated in model form with the introduction onto the model tracks of a Hornby Live Steam locomotive. Simply a marvel of model engineering, each Hornby Live Steam locomotive is controlled remotely by the driver at the side of the track, with the water being heated not by gas or naked flame, but by electricity, passed safely down the track to the locomotive's tender. Each locomotive is fitted with Hornby NEM style coupling and is fully compatible with all Hornby coaches, wagons, track and scenic accessories.

The control equipment used with Hornby Live Steam Locomotives consists of a regulator console and a separate mains transformer. The console houses the steam regulator that controls the electric emersion heater which is located in the locomotive's tender. The speed regulator sends instruction signals down the track which control the locomotive's speed and direction. Each locomotive requires its own individual track and control equipment for full functioning operation. Hornby live steam locomotives are real steam engines and therefore like their full size counterparts will need to be cared for and treated with respect. Simple but important procedures need to be adhered to during and after operation. Obviously between "steaming" distilled water (not de-ionised) will need to be poured into the tender boiler and after 3 or 4 runs, the locomotive will require topping up with a small quantity of steam oil. One operations have finished the locomotive will require the boiler to be emptied of surplus water and the body wiped clean of any operating residue. There are two complete introductory live steam sets to choose from -"The Mallard Set" (R1041) includes a model of the famous world speed record holder for steam locomotives with the second set featuring the equally if not more famous model of the "Flying Scotsman" (R1058). Each set is complete with a mains transformer, regulator console (R8205), operating accessories including water and oil fillers, steam oil plus simple maintenance tools and gloves.

Also included with each set are full instructions in both booklet and CD-Rom format, plus an oval of standard Hornby track which requires an operating space of 224cm x 107cm.

- The locomotive does not use naked flames, flammable spirit or butane gas.
- The water is safely auto-heated by low voltage electricity passed through the rails
- Live steam locomotives bring together the evocative whistles, sounds and unmistakable smell of hot engine oil.
- Approximately 20-35 minutes operation time from a single filling of water
- Transformer 220-240v 50Hz 17V DC