EM-1 at a Recent Train Show

[jonathan]

This past weekend was the Great Scale Model Train Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds.

Along with shopping my face off, our local club brings a module-based layout (40' X 40'), and we run trains.  While fun for us, it also seems to be appealing to the show attendees.

I shot a few photos of my EM-1s hauling revenue.  

#7600 leading a 30-car coal train (mostly):




#7627 hauling mixed freight across an unfinished module:


I tend to shoot photos late in the afternoon, after the crowd dwindles.  We had over 7000 visitors at this show.

They still run and sound great after 2 years of steady use. The old-timers sometimes ask if they're brass.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Irbricksceo]

very nice, what do they say when you tell them they are Bachmann? Proof that Bachmann is far above their reputation amongst many modelers.

[ALCO1000]

Very Impressive Indeed !Bachmann hit a home run with this one ay!Hope to see this kind of quality and detail in the future Diesel offerings in the spectrum line still waiting.
Jack

[jonathan]

They are a bit surprised.

However, more and more of the younger crowd know they are Bachmann Locos.  Most of those in-the-know ask about installing the sound unit.  Folks seem to be wary until they hear how easy it is to intall the sound module.

Homerun indeed!

Regards,

Jonathan

[Bucksco]

Nice pics!

[jonathan]

Thank you, sir!

R,

JV

[BaltoOhioRRfan]

I was there for about 4 hrs on Saturday, should told me you were there, would have brought you some more coal cars to borrow and a custom painted bachmann caboose

[ebtnut]

Jonathon:  Not like you needed any more projects, but you may have noticed the thread about taking one of the Bachmann H-4's and turning it into a D&RGW loco.  It occurred to me that the model might also work as a basis for a B&O (ex-BR&P) KK-4.  Just a thought.  After your work on that Bachmann Connie/E-27, it might be worth considering. 

[MrBandO]

It's been done.  See my article in the May/June 2007 B&O Modeler....

Greg

Jonathon:  Not like you needed any more projects, but you may have noticed the thread about taking one of the Bachmann H-4's and turning it into a D&RGW loco.  It occurred to me that the model might also work as a basis for a B&O (ex-BR&P) KK-4.  Just a thought.  After your work on that Bachmann Connie/E-27, it might be worth considering. 

[jonathan]

Yep.

Greg's projects have been an inspiration to me for some time now.  Hat's off to you Greg!

Thanks to him, I now have six E-27s, and two modified Heavy Mountains that look much closer to the prototype.

I have been looking for an older 2-6-6-2 to copy Greg's KK-4 project.  The rectangular tender is needed, vice the Vandy tender.

Lately, I have been bogged down by brass projects.  They are fun, but I'm wanting to get back to modifying plastic models.  The modified Spectrums are what I run regularly on my layout and train shows.

Regards,

Jonathan

[ebtnut]

MrB&O:  OK, great.  I don't get B&O Modeler, just the Sentinal, so had not seen your project. 

[MrBandO]

Hi Jonathan:

Thanks for the hat's off--it's nice to know that someone found my articles interesting.  RE the KK-4, the newer version with the Vandy tender may be closer, since the front cylinders are duplicates of those on the KK engines, unlike the one I did.  As you say, the tender is wrong, but the correct tenders are available on eBay.  You may have to switch the boards to get it to work on the newer 2-6-6-2, but that isn't too big of a deal.  Also, the cab may be wrong, but Athearn USRA Pacific/Mike cabs are also available on eBay.  You do end up with an extra Vandy tender, which is just about the right size for a Q-4b....

Greg

Yep.

Greg's projects have been an inspiration to me for some time now.  Hat's off to you Greg!

Thanks to him, I now have six E-27s, and two modified Heavy Mountains that look much closer to the prototype.

I have been looking for an older 2-6-6-2 to copy Greg's KK-4 project.  The rectangular tender is needed, vice the Vandy tender.

Lately, I have been bogged down by brass projects.  They are fun, but I'm wanting to get back to modifying plastic models.  The modified Spectrums are what I run regularly on my layout and train shows.

Regards,

Jonathan

[MrBandO]

EBTNUT:

Oh, no problem, I wasn't trying to sharpshoot you, just wanted to call attention to the fact that it is a very doable project.

Unfortunately, nobody gets B&O Modeler anymore.  Which is a shame, since the B&O is such a modelable road, and I think there are lots of great projects out there for people to share.

Greg

MrB&O:  OK, great.  I don't get B&O Modeler, just the Sentinal, so had not seen your project. 

[ACY]

They still run and sound great after 2 years of steady use. The old-timers sometimes ask if they're brass.

Jonathan what is the approximate pulling power of one of your EM-1's on level track?

[jonathan]

ACY,

I really don't know.

While that one time I pulled 30 cars easily, that is not the norm for me.  I usually pull no more than 20 cars.  If I increase the number of cars, I normallly put a second locomotive on (doublehead).

The EM-1 is a strong puller.  However, I wish for these locos to last a long time, so I try not to push the envelope.

My frieght cars are all extremely free-rolling.  If one cars drags even the least little bit, I don't use it.

I'm sure the EM-1 could pull 40+ free-rolling cars on level track, but I don't do it.  There are a number of small connector parts between the motor and the gears.  Don't want to wear them down prematurely.

Regards,

Jonathan