The latest issue of Timber Times has an article about a fire car speeder using a Bachmann HO scale Hi-Rail Jeep. Can you tell me what the wheel base is of this Jeep. ( Axle to axle)?

A small Heisler ( 45 ton or under) please.

Peter Smith, Memphis

4-8-0's were used by SP from the late 1800's into the 50's. The conversion I am working is a SP TW-2 built sometime in 1880 something. I am using a Mantua 4-8-0 as a base but this probably will not work for an N&W M-class. The older TW-2's sometimes had a whale back tender. I am scratch building this tender at the moment.

Peter Smith, Memphis

The surface of my log pond is made of  Masonite hardboard. I painted the surface with black paint except for the edges which I painted a lighter collar. I  made several master logs using carved dowels. I then cut the   master logs in half and cast them in paster.  I glued the flat surface  of the logs to the Masonite  prior  to pouring the Envirotex. After the Envirotex was poured and before it dried, I sprinkled a lot of wood debris in the Envirotex. The results I obtained were excellent in my opinion.

Peter Smith, Memphis

a 35 to 45 ton Heisler surely

Peter Smith, Memphis

Bachmann, I would love to see a small Heisler in the 45 ton range. It would go perfectly with your small Climax and make an excellent platform for  kitbashing. There is already a large  Heisler available in the marketplace.

Peter Smith,  Memphis

All of my HO standard gauge turnouts are Peco. I do not use any ground throws for any turnouts that I can reach. For the three that I cannot reach, I use Peco automatic throws. My HOn30 gauge turnouts are mostly Bemo. I use Caboose Industry N gauge sprung ground throws for these and power the frogs with  separate toggle switches. I also have three Peco HOn30 turnouts which are thrown the same way as my standard gauge Pecos.

I do not have DCC and my reasoning is the same as Mr. Orsonroy's.

Note: I have one hand layed stub switch but I have not yet figured out a satisfactory way of throwing the rails.

Peter Smith, Memphis

The article for detailing a Bachmann 2-8-0 including removal of the domes appeared in the November 1999 issue of Model Railroader page 78 entitled " A Central Vermont 2-8-0 in HO Scale.

Peter Smith, Memphis

There was an article in MR several years ago on how to remove the Bachmann domes  If I can find it I will post it. As I recall, the author used some sort of ACC debonder but I will not personally recommend this until it can be confirmed by the MR  article which also included other tips for modifying  Bachmann steam locos

Peter Smith, Memphis

45 TON HEISLER.

Peter Smith, Memphis

Jeff, thank you for your input. It is my belief that McCloud River 4-6-0 No. 7 was never owned by the Weed Lumber Company.

Peter Smith, Memphis

Thanks for the insight. I have had the same problem and it was driving me crazy. It only happened on a Peco crossover. I checked everything I could think of and eliminated my track work and the gauge on the wheels. I have the whole loco apart now for a major backdating bash which includes the replacement of the entire boiler. I will try to deal with the pilot truck problem before I return it to service although I doubt if Bachmann has the spare part you mention in stock but, I intend to give them a call.

Peter Smith, Memphis   

I model the Weed Lumber Company and the California & Northeastern/Southern Pacific branch from Weed California to Klamath Falls Oregon between 1909 and 1911. The Weed Lumber Co. started this  branch as a logging RR about 1903 and reached a point just south of Grass Lake CA. at which time they sold their RR to the C & NE. (A short lived subsidiary of the SP until it was fully merged into the SP about 1910).

Prior to the sale, Weed owned three logging locos:

4-4-0 No.1 ( I am currently back dating the new Spectrum 4-4-0 to represent Weed No.1)
2-8-0 No.3 ( I will back date an MDC Old Timer to represent this loco)
Heisler No. 2 ( The 45 ton loco shown in the preceding photos above)

The Weed RR sale, to the C & NE included No. 1 & No. 3 and the SP as parent company, agreed to haul logs coming from Weed spurs (As far as forty miles out along the C & NE back to the Weed Sawmill at attractive rates.) 

For every hour I spend modeling I spend about five hours of historical research but, I find this research as rewarding as the modeling. However, I also model a freelance narrow gauge logging RR connecting with the C & NE between Weed and Grass Lake which allows me a little more modeling freedom.

Peter Smith, Memphis

A small Heisler would certainly be unique and quite different from the much larger Rivarossi. I think the answer for Bachmann would depend on how their small Climax is selling. I would speculate that anyone who has purchased their small 50 ton Climax would compliment it with a small Heisler. I know I would. Their 50 ton Heisler is my favorite locomotive and I do own a Rivarossi.

Peter Smith, Memphis 

Yes, number 6 is the Heisler I was referring to. Thanks for the photo! This was their first 45 ton and was built in 1896. In trying to put together it's genealogy from a number of conflicting sources including some personal correspondence as best I can determine, issue 39 of "Timber Times" has it correct:

" This engine was quite a wanderer during her life; she first worked for Port Blakely Mill Co. at Kamilche, Washington; then moved south to work for the McCloud River Lumber Co. at McCloud California as their No. 3 (I believe this may have been as early as 1897); a short move to Weed Lumber Co. of Weed California ( I believe this move occurred in May 1903); next east for a short stint (1913 to 1914) at the Nevada County Narrow Gauge RR ( They must have Re-gauged it since I know that it was Std. gauge as built and while it was working at McCloud River & Weed); and at last, back up north her final owner, the Willamette lbr. Co. of Dallas Oregon."

I believe from my sources that it was scrapped in 1930.

Why am I so interested in this locomotive? Because I Model the Weed Lumber Company RR and it's successor the California &  Northeastern klamath Falls branch of the SP about 1910.

Peter Smith, Memphis