Like most boys who dont grow up Ive been interested in model trains for many years. I have an old hornby train set in the loft and as my sons grow up I hope that it will get some use.  However I recently discovered the Live Steam collection from Hornby. 

I had assumed that these were just electric trains which puffed out an oily smoke, but NO !  They are the real thing.  Fill up the boiler with water, let it heat up and not only does steam come from the whistle but the train is actually driven by the Steam ! - Brilliant. 

The locomotive is powered by a mini immersion heater, located in the tender, and is heated by a safe low voltage current passed along the track by a remote regulator, located on the Live Steam control box. This voltage boils the water which in turn creates steam, causing the pistons to move and the wheels to turn. Speed is dictated by another regulator on the control box, and with a few quick nudges, the locomotive can be sped up or slowed down, and even reversed.

After a small amount of practice, the operator can achieve in excess of 20 minutes running from one filling of water. The locomotive also produced realistic steam sounds from pumping pistons to the whistle, coupled with the unmistakable and memorable smells of steam and hot engine oil.

The Live Steam locomotive requires a dedicated route to run on, because of the current to heat the water, and is not compatible with DCC control. The special Live Steam control and transformer boxes are included in the box set.

This is a real steam locomotive, operated purely by steam - what could be better than to own your own Live Steam models, and reminisce over those memories of the steam, the smell and the sounds?