Dear Bachmann
There has been a lot of discussion about future ON30 locos, Heislers, 4-4-0s, 2-6-2s, 4-6-0s 2-8-2s and so on have all been suggested. These are all relatively moderate to large locos (for narrow gauge, especially 30 inch). Certainly there is a demand for such locos but I would also like to see further additions to Bachmann's small and less expensive locos such as the Porters and the Davenport. Some time ago a 2-4-2t Dinsey loco, which could be based on a modified Porter mechanism was suggested. Another possibility is a small 2-4-0 tender loco, which could also be based on the Porter mechaism. There were real life narrow gauge Porter 2-4-0s as small as 7-8 tons!
I am sure that more variety in the ready to run small "steam kettle" and critter fields would be much appreciated.
I am not suggesting this instead of producing some of the larger, and more expensive, options mentioned above, but as an addition. Given that it should be possible to adapt existing mechanisms the cost of making them shouldn't be too high.
Hamish
I am sure that further variety in the small ready to run critter and especially the small steam "tea kettle" field would be much appreciated. I am not suggesting this instead of some of the more expensi I am sure.
Sorry about the extra bit at the bottom of my previous post - the board slowed up on me a messed up my editing.
Hamish
As stated, Porters were catalouge engines, so the bits they (Bachmann) do have could lend themselves to some more projects. The problem I see with the tender (or side tank) Porters is the extent that the motor goes into the area of the saddle tank?
Hamish,
Excellent suggestion
I will add that there are a pir of 2-6-2 prototypes that could be even better as they were both narrow gauge and built by Baldwinb. The first is the Puffing Billy down under which is 30 inch gauge, I believe. The second is a similar locomotive used by the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI on two-foot military railroads in France. Both are tank locomotives and made for short radius curves and running in either direction.
These are larger than the Davenports and Porters but still smaller than the larger Colorado or similar catalog locomotives.
The Hawiian Plantation locomotives were usually 0-6-0 or 0-6-2 but larger than the porters and Davenports.
Early Glover locos and Glover re-builds would be another option, as Glover got a lot of its "inspiration" from rebuilding Porter locos when it started making steam locos around 1900.
Quote from: japasha on April 21, 2007, 06:04:29 PM
Hamish,
Excellent suggestion
I will add that there are a pir of 2-6-2 prototypes that could be even better as they were both narrow gauge and built by Baldwinb. The first is the Puffing Billy down under which is 30 inch gauge, I believe. The second is a similar locomotive used by the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI on two-foot military railroads in France.
I would welcome either of those 2-6-2ts, but The Puffing Billy Locos are considerable larger, larger than the Forney 2-4-4t for example. So they would not fit the small and inexpensive category! They are 30 inch gauge and were a Baldwin stock design, some Maine 2-6-2 tender locos were similar, apart from not being tank locos and gauge that is! (Yes a Maine 2-6-2 tender with a tank variation would be nice, but it would not meet my small and relatively inexpensive suggestion).
The WW1 locos were about 18 tons (US) I think and had small drivers, they might be possible as small and inexpensive locos, possibly on an existing HO mechanism, I am not sure. If so, it would be a good choice.
I suggested the Porter locos as a possibility for small and inexpensive locos using existing parts - the 2-4-0 tender loco would probably need a new boiler casting, could it fit the motor - again I don't know.
Essentially I was suggesting more small and relatively inexpensive locos, especially steam. I am not concerned about which prototype they are based on, anything that is practicable is fine. Glover locos if they can be made on the basis of exsiting mechanisms and thus kept inexpensive would be good.
As I said before, I do not see these as an alternative to further larger, and necessarily more expensive, locos but as an addition.
Hamish
The HO scale 0-6-0 chassis is available and would make a fine starting point for a new On30 locomotive from Bachmann. New superstructure but no development costs for the running gear.
As for the existing 0-4-0's and 0-4-2's, swapping around headlights, stacks, etc. and adding some Grandt Line details like round sand domes and Banta wood cabs have providing me with a variety of small steamers.
As far as I can see, the only thing missing from ON30 is a nice, small 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 siderod steam switcher w/tender. I was planning on converting a Mogul, using a Backwoods Miniatures slope-back tender, but the drivers are too large. Anybody have any suggestions for a conversion from an existing HO (Isn't that a breakfast cereal?) loco in case Bachmann does not come through? :-\
Quote from: kendoitall on April 22, 2007, 07:55:53 PM
As far as I can see, the only thing missing from ON30 is a nice, small 0-4-0 or 0-6-0 siderod steam switcher w/tender. I was planning on converting a Mogul, using a Backwoods Miniatures slope-back tender, but the drivers are too large. Anybody have any suggestions for a conversion from an existing HO (Isn't that a breakfast cereal?) loco in case Bachmann does not come through? :-\
The Bachmann Spectrum HO 0-6-0t has been used as the basis of a variety of ON30 conversions, some kits are available. Miniatures by Eric http://www.miniaturesbyeric.com (http://www.miniaturesbyeric.com) has an 0-6-0 conversion which is a tank. but they also make a tender to go with it, They also have a 2-6-0 with tender, looks the same as the 0-6-0 aprt from the truck and a slightly different cab. Of course the Backwoods Minitures select-a-kit conversion for the same loco, with rear entry cab, can be used with a tender, however it is still more obviously a tank than the Miniatures by Eric versions.
A relativly inexpensive ready-to-run ON30 loco based on the Spectrum 0-6-0t chasis along the lines of any of the above locos would be nice. Backwoods Miniatures have made a few such ready-to-run locos, but, while good value. they are not cheap compared to the small Bachmann locos.
Hamish
Hamish
Would be interested in an 0-6-0 upgrade to On30, Piston Valves and
Walschaert's valve gear would be great. Guy can dream can't he<BG>.
Ken
GWN
Hamish,
Actually the Bachmann 2-4-4 Forney's are almost 2 foot longer then the Puffing Billy 2-6-2's
I was the one who suggested the Disney Fort Wilderness RR 2-4-2T. I mean, they actually were 30" gauge locos... I would love to see something like that made, not even in the Disney paint scheme, just regular black and graphite.
(http://www.fortwildernessrr.com/history/glorydays/1996Collectorseries50.jpg)
It could use an existing Bachmann On30 0-4-2 Porter chassis. Backwoods Miniatures makes a replacement saddletank that is a square top model like the ones on the FWRR. If they wanted to make the FWRR coaches, they could use the closed-side On30 trolley body.
How about a 2-4-0...?
(http://members.aol.com/jeffholm/240-1.jpg)
...or a 2-4-0T...?
(http://members.aol.com/jeffholm/240T-1.jpg)
...oh yea, I already have those... ;)
BTW- here's a custom 0-4-2 I finished recently...
(http://members.aol.com/jeffholm/042.jpg)
...although I still need fo decide what's going to replace the "Tioga Lumber" on the tank sides.
From the picture I can see that the Disney railroad is a "Mickey Mouse" operation!
Seriously, that engine would be at home with the Bachmann On30 stuff.
The only problem I could see with a "Disney" loco and cars is the Disney legal department and royalties?
Another option, while not a true Disney loco and being a 30" Baldwin catalog loco is the Olomana, now at Smithsonian (I walked under her almost three decades ago) that was part of Ward Kimbal's collection.
LGB made a IIm scale model of this loco about ten years back.
Nice work, Jeff. I'm with you 100% on the Fort Wilderness RR locos. And I had the same thought about Disney royalties. There was a live steam model of the Fort Wilderness locos a couple of years back, and they designed their own logo, presumably to avoid the royalty situation.
More info here:
http://www.ironhorse129.com/Projects/Engines/Olomana/olomana.htm (http://www.ironhorse129.com/Projects/Engines/Olomana/olomana.htm)
Quote from: C.P.R.R. Manager on April 27, 2007, 02:04:03 AM
I'm with you 100% on the Fort Wilderness RR locos. And I had the same thought about Disney royalties.
Then how about a model of the Olomana, except as a 2-4-2? I'd take it as a standard black and graphite paint scheme.
I think it would be a great addition to the 0-4-0 and 0-4-2 Porters.
This might not be a futher small train, but its an addition to the 0-4-0, 0-4-2, and soon to be 2-4-2 FWRR. This is another Tweetsie engine, The giant 0-8-0 switcher loco with a slope tender. I think it'll look like a great engine. I also think that if bachmann could build some locos that are not based on a real steam engine but rather out thought, custom ideas and mess. a 4-4-2 would also be great also 2-4-4 oh wait that is the forny but sup it up, Give it a ballon stack, tender sepperated from the cab a wood load and much more. I have drawn all these models on my computer but I just dont know how to put them on the computer.
Quote from: Dusten on April 27, 2007, 07:26:46 PM
This might not be a futher small train.....I have drawn all these models on my computer but I just dont know how to put them on the computer.
Just hook your computer to a rapid protyping machine and go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3gHHeD6cv8
This technology is amazing, I have held some prototypes in my hand for industry, they are the same as a moulded resin model part (about the same as the Yellow Alumilite).
Once the prices come down.....
Remember that the Bachmann On30 line is somewhat limited by it's purpose and marketing. As a general rule, stuff has to be able to go around EZ Track 18" curves, which is going to limit the size of locos. In addition, they have and are choosing prototypes that are small by nature--early 3' stuff that was smaller than the later (post-1900) stuff so that the equipment looks to "belong" together. Put an EBT On3 hopper next to most of the Bachmann stuff and you'll see what I mean. I for one would like to see something like the Lawndale 2-8-0--quite a small loco for 3' gauge, but certainly usable as an On30 piece and more domestic in appearance than the current outside frame model. Still waiting for the Heisler, of course, to round out the logging set. Another possibility would be the New Berlin and Winfield 2-6-0, once made (badly) in brass in both HO and O (and which I think has been preserved). Also like to see a nice 4-4-0, maybe a nice Pittsburg loco like Maryland Central No. 5.