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Discussion Boards => Large => Topic started by: punkin on May 06, 2015, 10:55:32 AM

Title: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 06, 2015, 10:55:32 AM
Hello everyone,

My apologies for possibly asking what may be a very entry level questions. I really have tried to research and learn this for myself by googling the web. I suppose it's possible I'm being caught up in the terms and lingo. I'm very new to this and in fact, my very first train is in the mail on it's way.

I have purchased what I hope to be a fairly complete set up and have a bit left in my budget to possibly purchase a passenger car. The train I ordered is a Bachmann #91602 4-6-0 Anniversary Edition D&RGW #178. I would like to get a matching passenger car for it.

Here is my dilemma. I see so many terms being used to describe the sizes (1:22, 1:20, Large Scale, G scale, Spectrum, Big-Haulers, etc.). I believe that I've come to the understanding that within the G-scale there are different sizes as I've read in places where some people have trouble finding cars that match up in size with their trains.

Any pointers on how to know what to look for in locating a matching passenger car for my new train would be very welcome.

I thank you all for considering a reply to my little newbie problem.  ;)
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on May 06, 2015, 11:24:44 AM
If you stick with a Bachmann Large Scale Jackson and Sharp Coach or Combine you will b e fine.

89092   D&RG   122   2000   P Combine   Denver & Rio Grande    Maroon   P         Track Power Lights   $75.00    Metal Railings

89792   D&RGW   202   2005   P Combine   Denver & Rio Grande Western   Yellow     P         Track Power Lights   $80.00    Metal Railings

89091   D&RG   220   2000   P-Coach   Denver & Rio Grande    Maroon   P         Track Power Lights   $75.00    Metal Railings

89791   D&RGW   None   2005   P-Coach   Denver & Rio Grande Western   Yellow     P         Track Power Lights   $80.00    Metal Railings

97218   D&RGW   330   1995   P-Coach   Denver & Rio Grande    Maroon   P         Battery Lights   $68.00       Plastic railings

The 89xxx series come in maroon or yellow and have track power lights and metal railings.  The 97 series has plastic railings and battery powered lighting.

In the old days it was not uncommon for the Rio Grande to run single car passenger trains.   Most of the pictures I have seen show single car trains with only a single coach.  Other pictures show single car passenger trains with a combine.

Any of the above will look great with you new loco.

Bill                                                                                       
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 06, 2015, 03:51:53 PM
I thank you very much Bill. Very helpful.
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Ted Yarbrough on May 06, 2015, 05:46:57 PM
Punkin,
L**  yellow D&RGW passenger cars are an almost exact color match to the Bachmann Bumble-Bee locomotive. Just in case you are interested. They are also same basic scale. I run both the Bachmann & the L** cars with my Annies and they look great.
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 06, 2015, 06:09:54 PM
Thank you Ted,

But what is L** ? This is a new term for me.
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Ted Yarbrough on May 06, 2015, 07:01:16 PM
Punkin,
That is the 3 letter German manufacturer that only has letters in their name. Bachmann does not like you naming other manufacturers on their site, and I full understand. But these cars are very compatible with Bachmann products. Many garden railroaders run them together, even in the same train. Go to http://ggrs.info/GGRS/Member_Layouts/Pages/Ted_Yarbourgh_Garden_Railroad_Oct._2011.html and you can see photos of the yellow passenger cars by the German company and a caboose by Bachmann (the red D&RG one).
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on May 06, 2015, 07:13:15 PM
Some members are very careful about mentioning other manufacturers products because of the Bachmann Forum "Code of Conduct"

It states:
This forum is provided to discuss Bachmann model trains, associated products and techniques. You may mention and discuss the products of other manufacturers, but please don't use our board for their announcements or discussions focused specifically on another manufacturer's product. Also, please refrain from criticizing other manufacturers, as they are not here to respond.

In Ted's response L** stands for LGB which also makes yellow Rio Grande passenger cars.  My view is in this case it is not breaking the code of conduct, but is at best an attempt to be informational.   After you are around for awhile you will come to know what L** and other things like AR*** C*** and U**T mean.  Sometimes it is not a problem mentioning another manufacturers name especially when they make a product nor offered by Bachmann.  Ted and I and most old timers here do our best to follow the guidelines without breaking the rules out of respect and thanks  for Bachmann's sponsorship of this great forum.  In fact this forum is the most respectful of all the large scale forums out there!!

The Bachmann  coaches  I mentioned in the earlier response are good runners and a good buy and the quality is excellent.  I highly recommend them and gave you the Bachmann product numbers to make it easier for you to find them at a hobby retailer or on Evil Bay.

Hope that explained it.

Bill


P.s.  I did not see Ted's response before posting this
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Ted Yarbrough on May 06, 2015, 07:28:49 PM
punkin & Bill,
I fully agree with Bill. I use both companies passenger cars. Bachmann has some very good qualities, such as metal handrails & wheels (on the newer versions), and included lights. The Bachmann Annie is, in my opinion, the best locomotive on the market for the price.
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 06, 2015, 07:37:35 PM
Oh...I guess I just showed how much of a newbie I really am  :o


Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: RkyGriz on May 06, 2015, 09:29:14 PM
Hi, Punkin. I just want to weigh in here and say that I agree with Bill and Ted that Bachmann Jackson Sharp passenger cars are excellent in both detail and realism. I have 8 of them right now, and I'm completely satisfied with them. I do recommend converting them to track power with parts available on the Bachmann website:
http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_69_149&products_id=6494
Virtually everything else that you'll need is contained within the cars themselves with the only exceptions being black and red wires.  The Bachmann cars use a 9 volt battery for the lights and if you have several like I do, it gets expensive -especially if you forget to turn them off after operating them! The conversion is easy to do and will save you money. If you're feeling industrious, you can replace the stock light bulbs in them with LED strip lights (warm white is best!) ,but then you'll have to add bridge rectifiers and capacitors to prevent flickering and so that the lights will work in both directions. There are a couple of other threads here that deal with that. I'm still waiting for my orders of capacitors and bridge rectifiers and I'll let you know how that goes.
Hope this helps!.
Later.
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 06, 2015, 09:53:32 PM
Thanks for that info RkyGriz,

I've been doing some google work to find one of these cars. The cars without track lighting seem to be more common. This conversion looks fairly simple. Thanks for the tip!
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: vencelylalas on May 06, 2015, 11:02:03 PM
thank you very much Bill
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: the Bach-man on May 06, 2015, 11:15:03 PM
Dear All,
LGB made (makes) excellent 1:22.5 meter gauge equipment.
AMS makes excellent 1:20.3 passenger cars.
Aristo Craft made (makes?) excellent 1:29 scale equipment.
USA Trains makes excellent 1:29 scale equipment.
Mike's Train House makes excellent 1:32 scale equipment.
Hartland makes excellent 1:24 equipment.
We (Bachmann- in case you've forgotten whose board you're on) make excellent equipment in 1;22.5 and 1: 20.3.
All run on 45mm (G Guge) track.
For Large Scale to flourish we must all support each other!
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on May 07, 2015, 09:13:04 AM
Bach-Man,

Amen!  We definitely need to support the hobby as a whole!!!

I personally prefer the battery powered lights because they stay on while the train is stopped and stay constantly lit when the train is moving.  Rechargable 9 volt batteries make it easier on the wallet, but do not seem to last as long as alkaline batteries.

Have fun!

Bill
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 09, 2015, 01:42:10 PM
Hello all,

I've located a very nice looking caboose and I'm wondering if it will go with my new train.

The caboose is on eBay at this location; http://www.ebay.com/itm/PIKO-G-SCALE-D-RGW-DROVERS-CABOOSE-215-38602-/321500815078?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4adaf11ee6

My train is located here; http://www.trainworld.com/manufacturers/bachmann/4-6-0-steam-locomotive-anniversary-edition-drgw-bumble-bee-178-91602/



Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Joe Zullo on May 09, 2015, 04:52:05 PM
Shop around on the net. You can get that caboose for a little less that the Ebay ad you listed. That Piko caboose is 1:24 scale I believe and should go pretty good with the Bachmann 4-6-0 you listed (1:22.5 scale).
That's the thing with "G". It is not really a scale, but a gauge (the track gauge is 45mm). There are several scales that run on that gauge track. 1:32, 1:29, 1:24, 1:22.5, 1:20.3, are all large scale running on G gauge track. There are a couple of more scales popular in Europe such as G1 and 17mm that run on 45 mm track also.  8)
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 09, 2015, 05:29:35 PM
Thank you very much...you answered two questions at once. I now know my train is a 1:22.5 . I'll look for that when shopping. I would prefer to have matching Bachmann cars but they're rather hard to find.


Thank you Joe.
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Chuck N on May 09, 2015, 09:44:02 PM
That Caboose would look very nice behind the 4-6-0 in bumblebee colors.  The prototype for that car was used on the Pagosa Springs branch of the D&RGW.  This was a short branch of about 31 miles.  The branch line connected Pagosa Springs with Pagosa Junction on the main line.  It did dual service, a caboose and a coach.

In all likelyhood it would have been the only passenger carrying car used on that spur.  It could be run by itself or with some freight cars.  Cattle and wood products were the two principle freight loads on that branch.

Pullman green and Tuscan red were the only colors it had been painted when it had the cupola.  The cupola was removed in the 40's and it was painted in the bumblebee colors in 1950.

Chuck

You can read about the car in the book "Rio Grande Narrow Gauge Varnish" Colorado Rail Annual no. 25, by Herbert Danneman, p. 111.

Here are some pictures of Bachmann and LGB passenger cars.  I do not have your engine, but I have photographed the cars with an LGB mogul painted for the bumblee bee livery.  It is a little smaller than the your 4-6-0.  The first car is a Bachmann combine followed by an LGB coach with the last car being a Bachmann observation car.

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/chuckn/comp.Bach.LGB%201.JPG)

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/chuckn/comp.Bach.LGB%202.JPG)

There are some differences between the cars.  The Bachmann car is about 1/2 inch longer and it has 12 windows versus 9 on the LGB.  The prototype also had 12.

(http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/chuckn/comp.Bach.LGB%203.JPG)

You might be able to get 2 Bachmann PCs for the price of one LGB, just a suggestion.  I have both and I would not hesitate to recommend Bachmann passenger cars.  I have six Bachmann PCs, all used, and paid $25,each, for four and $35,each, for two.

Four of the cars were repainted and relettered for the Colorado and Southern.  Here is a link to a thread on <Mylargescale.com> that shows them fresh out of the paint shop.

http://forums.mylargescale.com/21-rolling-stock/48122-new-rolling-stock-patio-southwestern.html



Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Loco Bill Canelos on May 10, 2015, 12:38:06 PM
Punkin,

There are lots of Bachmann Passenger cars on Ebay right now, but I didn't see any DRGW cars.  You can set up a search for them, or buy another road name and repaint them.  With lights and and metal wheels the used cars are a usually a great buy if you have patience.  The other brands do have DRGW cars on Ebay, but they are very pricy in my mind, but if you are in a hurry and money is not tight, well......

Good hunting!!
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: punkin on May 11, 2015, 10:21:33 PM
Thanks to you all...I very much appreciate the photos of the cars. Seeing them side by side really puts some perspective in what I'm looking for. The LGB does look nice but the 12 windows in the Bachmann just looks a little more balanced to me. I will keep an eye out for them. I don't know if painting the cars is something I could do. Then there's the matter of the stenciling and lettering. I may do a bit of research into how it's done but I really don't have a place to do that sort of thing.

Again, thanks to you all for the really great advice. My train came in today. I got it set up and couldn't be more delighted. Smooth, quite and just can't get over how big the thing is. It's just fantastic!
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Chuck N on May 11, 2015, 10:56:18 PM
Lettering is not a big problem.  Stan Cedarleaf in Dewey, AZ makes excellent decals.  If you go to the link in my post you will see his decals that I put on four Bachmann passenger cars that I repainted.  He advertises in Garden Railways and on the My large scale site.

Chuck
Title: Re: Passenger car size for my new train (Newbie Question)
Post by: Chuck N on May 23, 2015, 09:08:52 AM
FYI

If anyone is interested in some new Bachmann J&S coaches (97218), I saw several at Caboose Hobbies in Denver yesterday afternoon.  They are Rio Grande and look like the ones in my pictures in an earlier post.  The price was a little under $60.

They also have three Delton passenger cars (RIO GRANDE), baggage/ postal, combine, and coach.  They are used, but look to be in good condition.  I did not handle them for a close inspection.  The set is going for about $300.

Chuck