Dear All,
The USRA 2-8-2s and Climaxes have arrived and will be shipping shortly.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Woo-Hoo! Thanks!
Regards,
Jonathan
Bach-man said that they would be shipping out shortly. So done run down to you Hobby store at eight Monday morning asking it the 2-8-2 has come in yet.
Well, I don't expect to be at the hobby shop that soon, but I am wondering when photos of the actual engines in their variations will be up. Anything on that front?
http://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=258_276_977
Quick, get the defribillator! My heart about came to a screeching halt when I saw those prices. Was someone looking at an O-gauge price list when they posted that??
Len
Easy there Len. Those are suggested retail prices (MSRPs). We all know that retailers discount those prices 30 to 40 percent on average.....
Quote from: rogertra on October 04, 2015, 09:57:21 PM
Quote from: Len on October 04, 2015, 08:07:08 PM
Quick, get the defribillator! My heart about came to a screeching halt when I saw those prices. Was someone looking at an O-gauge price list when they posted that??
Len
And they're not even up to Spectrum standards. :(
Roger T.
I think people really need to stop with the "spectrum standards" thing. Fact is, these run just as well as the Spectrum Locos, and are actually fairly well detailed. They have more detail than the spectrum mountain. Yes, they aren't coated in the level of detail some higher end models have but imagine the price of models in that tier. At the prices those would run, they wouldn't sell nearly as well. The majority of the Market are people who either wouldn't care about that detail, or people who can add it themselves. I personally don't fall into either group but again, I said majority. Bachmann has to play to that majority.
As for the price, things just keep getting more expensive. Its not enjoyable, but its true.
Glad they're here. Mine's coming from Micro-Mark, so I expect it'll take a few weeks to arrive. It will be nice to have something to run during the club's open houses during the hoidays. I'm gonna pick a nit, though. I see that one of the selections is lettered for Southern 4501. That loco pre-dated the USRA, though it is fairly close. However, the prototype has the Cole trailing truck, not the Delta. Should be easy enough to swap out, though.
The Southern version has the proper trailing truck.
Brick;
I go with what you say; although, as probably like yourself, I have been doing this stuff for a number of years, so (hopefully) have picked up enough savvy to usually look at what I have on hand, and decide to build, rebuild, modify, etc.; to my satisfaction.
I may pick up a Mike, or not. I have a few-including an old Mantua that had been given twice it's original weight in brass castings. Pulls like a Georgia mule!
Rich C.
I for one and happy that Bachmann is coming out with more steam locomotives, when other Manufacturers are either omitting them or putting them on the back-burner for limited runs only. I can't wait to get my hands on a few of these for Kitbash fodder I have planned. (other mikado chassis's I've used left a bit to be desired)
Bach-man:
Any idea when the corrected Dulux Gold single stripe GG1 will be re-released?
Looking forward to it.
Thanks
Mr. Yardmaster: I've frankly been out of the loop on DCC and sound apart from occasional operations on friend's layouts. What, if any, sound options are going to be available from the Sound Value Mike running on straight DC? I hope to be able to run the loco on our club layout for the holiday open houses, and having sound would be a crowd-pleaser.
You will not be able to trigger independent sounds such as the whistle, bell or steam blow off unless you run it in DCC. You will have chuffing sound and if you know someone with a DCC controller you can set the whistle to blow and the bell to ring when you start the train moving.
Yardmaster, can you tell us the names of the three whistle choices in the 2-8-2 sound package? I'm pretty sure that one will be the B&O three chime.
Have to check on that with the product development director tomorrow and get back to you. I would assume the B&O 3 chime is in there since one of the locos is B&O.
Is there a plan to offer a sound value Frisco 2-8-2? On the Frisco engine, Is the headlight number plate in the Frisco "coonskin" shape? Can't tell from the photos.
Yardmaster, are the pictures of the 2-8-2 locos on the webstore photos of the final products? While the model looks really well made I am a bit dissapointed not to see a red cab roof and red tender deck on the Pennsy version.
Austrian;
Why not just paint it?
Rich C.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on October 09, 2015, 07:46:01 PM
Austrian;
Why not just paint it?
Rich C.
Some masking tape and Oxide red paint all it takes!
The loco will cost me $ 340 - I prefer not to mess around at this price point as I was not even sucessfull in ordering some paint in railway shades as shipping of paint is considered to dangerous nowadays and refused.
After all there is available a 2-8-2 PRR from another producer that is painted to my taste and I can buy it for similar money.
Austrian;
Check your laws again. If that were the case, Micro-Mark, et al, wouldn't be advertising them. As far as painting the deck on a tender and the roof-hey; this isn't rocket science. Just do it, and save yourself a lot of trouble.
Rich C.
You can't please all the people all of the time....
Austrian
masking and painting really isn't that difficult,. heres my new Bachmann EM1 that I like you felt the oxide red roof and tender deck would make for a better looking model.
Took aut an hour including masking.i will admit to using my preferred method of using an air brush for better control.still note the OOPS on the trailing truck,since rectified lol
(http://s293.photobucket.com/user/lkemling/media/ASOF1-28-20127.jpg.html)
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on October 10, 2015, 08:51:30 AM
Austrian;
Check your laws again. If that were the case, Micro-Mark, et al, wouldn't be advertising them. As far as painting the deck on a tender and the roof-hey; this isn't rocket science. Just do it, and save yourself a lot of trouble.
Rich C.
Why should I check the laws again - There is no law in Austria prohibiting it. It is what I was told when I mail ordered paint from UK from the 2 shops I order Bachmann items. They send me all, track, locos ,...... except the paint and told that they are not allowed to ship paint. If I order just paint from another source I pay the same shipping flate rate for some tin cans of paint as I pay to ship loco, boxcars and paint.
I have a job, a family with children and photography as main hobby. I like model railways but have not a lot of spare time for this hobby. I have a layout to finish, track, landscape, point motors, buildings,...
AND: building rolling stock is not my favorite part of the hobby. What I enjoy is writing switch lists and running the trains alone or with interested visitors.
Quote from: Yardmaster on October 10, 2015, 09:09:56 AM
You can't please all the people all of the time....
No of course you can`t. And my opinions are not meant as criticism. It is a matter of taste. For a similar amount of money I can buy a PRR 2-8-2. What make a loco a Pennsy loco for me is the use of a Belpaire firebox and the red cab roof and tender deck. As USRA design this loco does not feature a Belpaire fireboxe so the red would help it give it a Pennsy identity. As some Bachmann Pennsy locos feature the red (K4, Mogul) I hoped that the 2-8-2 would have it, too. Most of my locos are from Bachmann as I needed spare parts and advice more than once and Bachmann always provided better service as other companies. So having the choice I always have a bias for Bachmann products.
I would buy a 2-8-2 in Santa Fe without a hint of reed on it! ;D
Quote from: GN.2-6-8-0 on October 10, 2015, 12:03:34 PM
Austrian
masking and painting really isn't that difficult,. heres my new Bachmann EM1 that I like you felt the oxide red roof and tender deck would make for a better looking model.
Took aut an hour including masking.i will admit to using my preferred method of using an air brush for better control.still note the OOPS on the trailing truck,since rectified lol
(http://s293.photobucket.com/user/lkemling/media/ASOF1-28-20127.jpg.html)
The beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I really like your photo. Looks great!
Thomas
Restrictions on shipping paint, solvents, etc., are not uncommon. This is from the Walthers web site (emphasis added):
Quote**Hazardous materials, such as alcohol based-paints, solvents, resins, and paint removers can only be shipped via Standard Shipping and can only be shipped to the contiguous U.S. In addition, some manufacturers have additional shipping restrictions within the U.S.
There may be restrictions in the UK about shipping similar items to locations outside the UK.
Len
Quote from: austrian on October 10, 2015, 12:52:58 PM
It is what I was told when I mail ordered paint from UK from the 2 shops I order Bachmann items. They send me all...except the paint and told that they are not allowed to ship paint.
What do you expect, the English are stuffy and sticklers :D
Austrian;
There are non-flammable, non-corrosive paints that can be prepared for airbrush use. I sensed that I upset you. I get a lot of that from Europeans. Is there some axe you guys have to grind with Yanks? I am sorry; I will not do that or bother you again-at all! Lots of luck.
Rich C.
Rich,
I have found several sites that list water based acrylic paints as "**HAZ Shipping Restrictions Apply", probably because of that stupid Calif Prop 65. The UK, and several other European countries, have similar restriction, possibly even tighter.
Len
OK, Wayne; I can dig it. I read several articles in the online "Railroad Hobbyist" site on paints about 18 mos ago, and it was pretty good. In one article, I read that it is possible to use the acrylics presently found in craft shops. There is a preparation procedure but, they say, it works just fine. I am curious about that, so one day, I will try that. I am getting ready to paint, as the general humidity drops in winter.
Up until now, I have been shooting the Floquil organic (lacquer) paints I have. If nothing else, I will look at the "Scalecoat" line.
RIch C.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on October 11, 2015, 08:34:09 AM
I read that it is possible to use the acrylics presently found in craft shops...they say, it works just fine.
RIch C.
Yep. While I do not have an air brush and use spray bombs for painting, I have also heard/read of people using those acrylics with success. I do use such paints to create a weathering wash and like the results.
Austrian says "As USRA design this loco does not feature a Belpaire fireboxe so the red would help it give it a Pennsy identity."
I had a 1950 kalmbach book called "steam locomotives" long ago. There was an article about oddball steam locomotives with a picture of a PRR USRA 2-8-2 without a BP firebox. What I don't remember is if it was a one of a kind on one or several, but it wasn't very many, the PRR apparently took them under protest, and didn't like them very much.
What you can't tell is the color of the cab roof. The SR sometimes painted the roof and deck red, sometimes didn't. I bet it was the same with the PRR.
Quote from: Trainman203 on October 11, 2015, 02:35:53 PM
I had a 1950 kalmbach book called "steam locomotives" long ago. There was an article about oddball steam locomotives with a picture of a PRR USRA 2-8-2 without a BP firebox. What I don't remember is if it was a one of a kind on one or several, but it wasn't very many, the PRR apparently took them under protest, and didn't like them very much.
That's about right. The PRR got a number of such engines--if my memory is right, about 40--but didn't want them and sold most of them. The road kept about five, and all were stationed at some out-of-the-way minor engine terminal in Ohio. Most notable change was that all got high headlights, which was a PRR standard.
The PRR did wind up with a fairly large number--I think over 100--USRA light 2-10-2s (which Bachmann made). These they kept, but as they came due for firebox renewal were rebuilt to Belpaire types. Although that changed the back end of the boiler a bit, and the headlight was high mounted, the rest of the engine, including the cab, front end proportions, Southern valve gear on some of them, trailing truck, and tender didn't look al all like anything standard for the PRR. Again, all these engines were normally assigned to Lines West in Ohio, where they muscled iron ore around in the company of PRR's own home designed 2-10-2s, which were a Lines West design of massive proportions, very different details (including an oddball cab), and (unusual for PRR) were all built by commercial locomotive firms (most of PRR's designs had at least some examples built in Altoona).
An interesting detail--quite a number of Lines West engines, including standard PRR types such as H-9 2-8-0s and K4s 4-6-2s, had for a time a CENTERED headlight, like what you would see on NYC!
Now you have an idea for a project with a Bachmann K4s that will set your PRR modelling friends into a tizzy--and you can say it's prototypical!!
I never liked the look of the PRR high headlight. I always thought that the K 4 in particular would look much better with a centered headlight.
Why did the PRR into modern times keep doing high mounted headlights, an earlier design affectation, that was harder to maintain? And in the late 40s PRR put it even higher, behind a turbo generator whose exhaust could obscure the beam. Why all of that? Anyone know? I've always wondered.
Quote from: Trainman203 on October 11, 2015, 04:15:59 PM
I never liked the look of the PRR high headlight. I always thought that the K 4 in particular would look much better with a centered headlight.
Why did the PRR into modern times keep doing high mounted headlights, an earlier design affectation, that was harder to maintain? And in the late 40s PRR put it even higher, behind a turbo generator whose exhaust could obscure the beam. Why all of that? Anyone know? I've always wondered.
From what I understand, the change was basically swapping the positions of the tubogenerator and headlight. I've been told the reasoning was that the generator required more maintenance than the light, so the road made the generator easier to reach.
Another road that liked high headlights was the B&O. That road also would mount bells off center, and some people thought that made B&O steam ugly, even if it was necessary with some of the tight clearances on that road.
Interstingly the NYC adopted high headlights on its last steam power--2-8-4s built for Pittsburgh & Lake Erie, and of course the last great engines for NYC itself, the Niagara 4-8-4s. I've never understood the reason the NYC did this then, but there were a lot of other design details on the Niagaras that went with a tight clearance road, like a domeless boiler, access steps that folded up, turbogenerators mounted under the running boards (a location shared with C&O's J-3a Greenbriars) and a bell mounted behind the pilot--and I wonder how well that location worked out with all the snow in NYC territory!
PRR N1s:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRR_N1s
http://www.angelfire.com/film/prrpics/n17248.JPG
http://www.angelfire.com/film/prrpics/n17342.JPG
http://www.bartfk.cba.pl/gfx/lok/PRR_N1s_prr7128s.jpg
http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr9861s.jpg
PRR N2sa (which as it turns out was USRA Heavy, not Light):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRR_N2sa
http://www.angelfire.com/film/prrpics/n17248.JPG
And for fun, the PRR 2-8-0, Lines West style:
http://prrsteam.pennsyrr.com/images/prr8527.jpg
And the iconic K4s:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/PRR_K4s_8212.jpg
Boy that 2-8-0 and the K4 sure don't look pennsy.
just an question from someone that has quite a fleet of the old school climaxes?
The gearbox is locked up on my original run ones. The "new" gearbox with the metal gears.....can the gearboxes be bought seperately & if so, will they work in the old run ones as sort of a direct replacement? I have about 4 of the old ones, (a 2 trk model & 3 three-truck ones) I don't really want to have to buy all new models for a fix :(
Rob
Quote from: RAM on October 11, 2015, 10:03:10 PM
Boy that 2-8-0 and the K4 sure don't look pennsy.
And the changes aren't big at all! Besides the big early centered headlights, you have wooden pilots and Lines West tenders. That's it as far as I can tell!
The wooden pilots suggest photos no later than the mid 1920s. PRR proper was still using wooden pilots at the time as well, and the headlights on at least some other engines were still the box types that looked like something from the 19th century. There might be some detail variations as well, such as the lack of a power reverse, a straight running board, and inthe case of E6s and K4s engines, extended piston rods.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PRR_K4s#/media/File:PRR-K4s-BuildersPhoto.jpg
http://www.billspennsyphotos.com/photos/Locomotives/PRR%20K4s%201737%20ME3092A%201st%20Built%20May%201914%20a%20800x616.jpg
Now here would be something really different, but maybe still made with the existing K4s mechanism with modifications (maybe, maybe)--the K3s:
http://prrsteam.pennsyrr.com/images/prr7004.jpg
Five of the K3s were sold, without tenders, to the N&W, which supplied their own tanks. Also, note how appearances change just by centering the headlight on these two N&W E-3s:
http://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/thumbs/photos/NW06331.jpg
http://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/thumbs/photos/NW06331.jpg
The craft-type acrylic paints (such as Apple Barrel) can be used in an airbrush with a little preparation. I have done it successfully.
The two most important considerations are that the pigments are coarser than those in "model paints", and the importance of using pure water, as impurities will cause the paint to coagulate.
You can thin the paint for spraying with Model Master acrylic thinner, or with a mixture of denatured alcohol and distilled water.
Very important: after thinning the paint, pour it through a fine-meshed tea strainer. Then it can be sprayed with an airbrush. You me have to clean the airbrush after a few minutes, as the paint dries quickly in the spray nozzle.
The main advantages I find with this paint is its wider availability. It is also much cheaper than regular model paint, it dries quickly to a flat finish, it doesn't have dangerous fumes, it won't burn, and the different colors will mix easily to get the shade you want. If you don't wait until it hardens, it can be washed off with soap and water.
Les
Les.....
All good points. Have you tried using Windex as a thinner? I've been using it with any acrylic for years.
Sid
I have, as a result of your direction ;)
Sid,
No, I haven't heard of that. I bet it's a lot cheaper than acrylic thinner. Does the blue color affect the color of the paint?
Les
Not as far as I can ever tell, Les. Even shooting white isn't a problem.
Sid