Just arrived. I knew it was small, but ........

calypso · Just arrived. I knew it was small, but ........

It arrived this morning.

Now I have seen the pictures and the video, but actually handling the little Lutz Hielscher B4 shunter really brought the tiny size home.

I was all thumbs, and when I finally removed the little engine from its packing, a little piece fell out!

Aargh! What the heck is that? (I thought).

It turned out to be the minute piston/con rod (one piece thank God).

So, with the help of some fine watchmaker's tweezers, a head mounted magnifier and a lot of sweat, I finally managed to guide it in place. Took 20 minutes!

Good start!

The little engine is beautifully built, but I think I will leave any future repairs to Lutz.

It has a very small reciprocating engine and the cylinder does not use a sprung screw to hold it on to the base, but a very small O-ring which is stretched over both!

Anyway, here are some quick pics.

IndianaRog

Lovely John, the precision workmanship is amazing...how does he ever get so much in such a small space!

Ross

that ones got real character great Thumbs up!

where did you get it?

tmuir

Now that is pretty cool.

I see what you mean by size.

I'm looking forward to the video of it running, although I wouldn't run it on carpet even if it only drops 1/4 the oil and water mine do you will have a lot of explaining to do.

Graham-Jilly

wow thats tiny also looking forward to some video of it running

whistleman

johnreid

Cant wait to see it going, the O gauge ( 32mm ) ones strain my eyes, I would need a microscope for that one

MooseMan

That is just gorgeous......I want one!!!!

calypso

Thanks guys.

Well, you know me by now. I just had to try it out.

I set up a few feet of HO track. Oiled her up with a very fine needle, injected 3.5 cc of distilled water and 1.2 cc of meths, as per the instructions.

I lit the minuscule burner (yes, there is a wick somewhere), and waited.

In a couple of minutes the engine gave some signs of life and I gently spun the shaft extension that sticks out of the left hand side of the engine, just ahead of the cab.

She set off at a fair speed sounding more like a pissed-off mosquito than a steam engine, and I had to catch her at the end of the line. Did a few more runs and then blew the burner out (still nervous.

)

The little engine was HOT! Bad news is that the nice new paint on the top and sides of the saddle tanks bubbled up and blackened.

Not sure that is acceptable considering the high price, but hey, it now looks the part I suppose.

Except for the paint issue, I am very happy with the little engine and I am sure I will appreciate it more once I get the track set up properly.

I was never going to keep it in it's box anyway, although paint bubbling and discoloring after one run is a bit much.

Here she is after her first run.

Les

That is very nice, small, but very nice.

Dampfmaschine

What an incredible lovely loco - top quality photos as well.

Keith S

I've seen videos of those engines on the internet, and they always seem a little blackened around the sides of the boiler. I suppose you can scale down anything except the temperature of a meths flame!

tmuir

Shame about the paint but I'm pleased its a good runner.

One thing is for sure a bottle of meths will last you a while.

johnreid

Now that the paint has been damaged, you do not have to worry about running it, have fun and shoot a video too please

calypso

Will do John, but I need to build up the track on a board of some kind.

I called Lutz and had a chat. Very nice guy and very helpful.

The burner uses a "glass" wick. According to Lutz, it practically never burns out. We discussed the use of an O-ring to hold the cylinder in place. Apparently, there is also a small pin in the base to locate the cylinder as it swivels to give the reciprocating action. Ingenious and very effective.

I mentioned the paint problem and he did say it was "normal". Doesn't worry me really. It now looks even more authentic.

I can see I am going to enjoy running this little engine once I get the track set up.

newsteamer123

great engine john

i love how its so small and cant wait to see a vid.
quite a piece of work

RocDoc

Oh that's a really lovely engine. Thanks for showing the photos. I want one (or two).

Pete

Les

Did it come with the wagons or are they extra to buy??

Atticman

I do like your style John, some people wouldnt be at all happy with the paint blackening so fast.

From the largest of Marklins to the smallest of locos- a fantastic collection

calypso

calypso

I'm beginning to get the hang of this little engine now.

Very frustrating at first though. A good runner one minute and no joy the next.

You really have to adapt because of the small size.

Since there is obviously no flywheel, and the wheels are very small and light, the engine will only run if conditions are optimized. This means full lubrication before every run (especially the oscillating cylinder) and waiting for full steam pressure before attempting to start her off.

Great fun though!

I will post a short video once I get the track sorted.

AzRob

I've wanted one of these! Glad to get a firsthand report. Looking forward to seeing a video of it in action!

calypso

Here you go Rob.

AzRob

Very cool! I like it alot! You'd think that you could do a larger loco with a larger boiler and a little more run time. Something like a 2-8-4 or 4-6-2, something along those lines. A buzz instead of a chuff!

calypso

Don't quite follow, Rob.

This is the only loco I have (for now

)

AzRob

I'm just saying that a manufacturer should be able to produce an engine based on a larger prototype to get more boiler capacity, longer run time, etc.

johnreid

I get a lot of fun out of the bigger Mamod and Bowman Locos, but even the little bit bigger engines you need to fiddle with them some between runs.
The Mamod Loco can negotiate fairly sharp curves ( 30" diameter curves or maybe a little smaller ) , so even if space is an issue you might still be able to enjoy the Mamod.

Hancockshire

Aww, cute. I want the Y6 for my indoor 00 railway but I want to know one thing, can it go in reverse?

Minor1PJG

Wow, that is brilliant!!

I really want one of those.

Great video

ministeamer

Right. Now you have no excuses that Robin's too small, Jay!
We simply have to see the rocket running!
That's a great little enjine, John!

it's like a miniscule Edrig with a body kit!

Graham-Jilly

great little engine thanks for sharing the video

bessytractor

tmuir

Ooooo, very nice.
Is that on ebay at the moment?

bessytractor

nah I own it

tmuir

Even better.

How does it run?

bessytractor

it doesn't at the moment, the valve gear is out of time and its got a loose driving wheel. I will sort it eventually (and I have steamed it without blowing it up!

)

AzRob

bessytractor

it will be when it goes. Its surprisingly sophisticated for what it is. Not as mad as the Hornby live steamer but then thats digitally controlled.

Rob

bessytractor

its gas fired and of course OO gauge, its more akin to an American export loco, its quite big compared to the British loading gauge but fits in with foreign models no problem.

It was allegedly built in 1975 and has slip eccentric valve gear, a smithies boiler, a big gas tank in the tender and a regulator in the cab. That thingy just in front of the smokebox is a lubricator which has a needle valve to adjust the supply.

I wondered about the cylinders too but I think they are home made.

in the meantime check this out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdXW02aRXpE

tmuir

Wow that loco in the video just oozes quality, is there another video with it running on steam?

bessytractor

I don't think so

madeinenglang

nice