Aster Accucraft USRA Light Mikado Live Steam Gauge 1 Kit

A compilation of build photos and videos showing assembly and testing of an Aster Accucraft Gauge 1 USRA Light Mikado kit # 103-0K. This model is a live steam engine, alcohol fueled, and runs on G gauge 45mm track with a minimum diameter of 4 meters (13 feet). It is 1:32 scale which is usually referred to a Gauge 1. The prototype for this model is Union Pacific engine number 2480 which was a 2-8-2 wheel arrangement called a Mikado. The prototype was constructed in Schenectady, NY, around 1918 and was in service until about 1958. I had never attempted anything like this before and I am very pleased with how it turned out. Special thanks to Channing Cheng from Accucraft, who answered my text questions whenever I needed help during the build.

[@elijahglasser1421]

Very marvelous

[@northernutahlivesteam3566]

Thank you; had a lot of fun and learned a ton assembling this kit.

[@elijahglasser1421]

@@northernutahlivesteam3566 your welcome

[@tyfude]

Very impressive build! I put together a Thompson B1 and it took a lot of patience and determination. Satisfying when it works ;-)

[@northernutahlivesteam3566]

Thanks for the compliment. I had no idea what I was doing. Just followed the instructions and it worked.

[@tyfude]

That’s exactly how I felt building mine. I will say the directions are very clear and I was grateful for that lol.

[@northernutahlivesteam3566]

@@tyfude I can’t find any videos of the B1 on your channel.

[@tyfude]

@@northernutahlivesteam3566 I actually sold it since I decided to get the C-18. I have one clip of the air test I can upload.

[@tyfude]

@@northernutahlivesteam3566 czcams.com/video/om-87T5PX-4/video.htmlsi=RxndSlr9-7mZschm

[@stanelliott6630]

Was there any silver soldering involved in the build?

[@northernutahlivesteam3566]

No. Everything is pre-soldered. All the tubing is pre-bent. Almost entirely a matter of screwing all the parts together. You do have to cut some sheets of “ceramic“ to line the firebox and the smokebox. Caulk some steam fittings. Caulk the water tank in the tender. Setting the timing for the steam valves was the most intimidating part for me. I had no idea what I was doing. Just followed the instructions and it worked just fine.