What is the cheapest coal fired live steam locomotive?

Whats the cheapest new coal fired live steam locomotive I don’t mind Chinese built locos? Any gauge will do just the cheapest.

Thanks.

Small gauge garden railway coal fired is probably the cheapest but if you want it to pull you round in circles it will be found lacking but OK for radio control.

The cheapest will be one that you make yourself. I made mine for only the cost of material and tooling. That is probably not the answer you are looking for. - David

Don't buy with price as the main criteria for purchasing.

Simon,

I think we need a little bit of information from you ....

What are your 'Railway' interests ... Standard or Narrow Gauge .... GWR, SR, Welsh, Quarry etc

What do you want to do with it ... Ride behind it or sit in a deck chair and watch it go round?

Where are you planning to run it? Is their any physical size/weight/cost limits?

I own 16mm (SM32) + 3.5" + 5" gauge Coal fired Loco's (Both purchased RTR and Home Made)

Dave

Hi Dave

I was thinking of 3.5” gauge but of no particular region and either standard gauge train or narrow.

Thanks

Hi Simon,

If you have not decided on a rail gauge to build a loco, find a club in your area that you intend to operate it and see which size tracks they have. Their member will give you some good advice on different models.

Using the facilities at a local club is much more convenient than driving great distances every time you want to run your rail loco. One of the reasons I am building a road loco. Does not need tracks.

Paul.

I agree with Jeff, i bought an engine from Station road steam based on price. I am now re boilering it as our boiler inspector would not test it. His reason was that it had soft solder on the front tube plate. Reading up on boilers made in the old days they caulked them this way. However it seems that its not good practice these days. So i have learned the hard way.

I also have a small Roundhouse engine, not coal fired it runs on metholated spirits, one fill will run for 45 minutes. I find this quite enjoyable. These are reasonable in price.

Have a look at steam engines for sales web site.

I hope you find what your looking for.

Brian