I never cut fire wood for a steam locomotive.

However, I sure cut enough for farm steam traction engines. We used slab wood. The wood was cut to roughly 2 to 2 1/2 foot length.  I cut wood for my grandfather and several other owners of steam traction engines.  We'd cut a 2 1/2 ton truck load just for a weekend of running at gatherings of these old farm steam traction engines and we brought very little wood home with us.

Now the fire box on most steam traction engines, such as Case, Baker, and Huber to name a few, were somewhat smaller than those of early railroad steam engines.

However, Avery steam traction engines were large engines and their fire boxes were probably the size of steam railroad engines.  The folks that owned these Avery engines used wood that was also around 2 to 2 1/2 foot in length.

Remember, the wood had to be distributed rather evenly over the grates of the fire box.  If not, you'd end up with a hot spot that would stress the fire box.  Wood much over 2 1/2 foot in length would be difficult to distribute inside the fire box.

I think you would be well pleased with this latest side tank Porter.



There is a detailed review of the Porter published at Large Scale on Line.  Variety of pictures that show both outside and inside features of the Porter.

Alan,
It just occurred to me. Bachmann used the same body mount coupler and coupler box on the 1:20.3 Consolidation locomotive. The coupler is of a more robust design but it looks like the assembly will fit the 20 ft cars.

If you could find a couple of folks that changed out these factory installed couplers for Kadee couplers that would be a source for what you need.

There may be some folks here at the Bachmann site that have made that change and would be willing to part with the Bachmann couplers.

Krylon spray cans. As mentioned it covers well without excessive buildup. Fine detail is not lost under the paint.  Cheap paint just won't cover as well and will hide detail.

Andre'

Check your e-mail.

JD

The catalog number for the F&C 20 ft. car is Item No. 95344.

These cars originally came with a body mounted coupler.  There was/is a small plastic coupler box with a plastic coupler mounted to the car end just below the end beam.

Looking at pictures in the 2006 catalog it appears that some of the later cars may have been produced with truck mounted couplers. Can't really tell for sure.

The two 20 ft. cars that I have are equipped with the body mount coupler.

Good luck with obtaining any of these couplers from Bachmann since they don't carry replacement parts.  You may be able to get Bachmann Service to strip some off of returned cars.

I've had a Connie since they first became available. Great locomotive. It's been run to death with never a problem.

The motor screws and driver counter weights were treated to Loctite.  That's the only "fix" necessary. Just give it regular lubrication.



Connie at work on the CD&StL.

Here's the arch bar truck side frame screws.





This is the single screw that attaches the Vulcan side frame.

Good for you Tim,

You must have x-ray vision, or something, to be able to pick out a car that has an axle set that has a slight wobble when the car is running in a consist. 

I think I have enough Bachmann rolling stock to make the statement.

Let's face it, spinning axle sets can be a form of entertainment. Doesn't have a thing to do with how the cars operate on a layout.  But if this is what keeps you happy, then enjoy.

I'll continue to purchase and use Bachmann axle sets.  There are more important things to be concerned over than a axle set of two that may have a slight wobble.

Like the new format. Having to register again was no problem. If this helps stop some of the spam it will have been well worth the change.

I'll bet $2.00 and a brick watch that no one can pick a car out of a consist that has a axle set with a wheel that wobbles.

I have a friend that is always woofing about Bachmann wheels that don't all run true. He pays extra $$$$ for after market wheels.

I took six identical box cars to his place to run. Five of the cars had axle sets with wheels that all ran true.  One car had an axle set on each truck that had a wheel with a wobble.  Ran the consist.  He could not pick out the car with the wheels that did not run true.

I guess we all have to have something to woof about.  Bachmann wheel sets are as good as any for the purpose of woofing about something.