Brian,
Like you I do not have a layout or even the time and energy to build one. Fortunately, I have access to a friend's layout, which is wonderful (....both the friend and his layout), as it is a replication of the Tehachapi loop.
For home urges and when the need to operate these steam engines becomes too strong, I have a special device that I built myself with some wood, and 8 rollers. I can operate some articulated engines all the way to the Big Boy on it. The engine can run in both directions and seeing all the rods and drivers in motion, is enough to calm you down...most of the times.
The support did not cost much, the rollers being the most expensive at $15 a piece. With your engine, you would only need 4 rollers. I will see if I can dig out a picture and will post it.
Yves
And the finished product:
The rollers are from Micro-Mark - Reference 83417 (currently $60 for a set of four).
