Took a slightly used k-27.  I plan on running it on at least 6ft minimum radius track.  Counter weights appears to be tight.  I know earlier Bachmann locos like the connie had trouble with gears.  I think the k-27 has metal just geared a bit to fast.

Anything other than good periodic lubrication to kerp it running.

An RGS paint would be nice even if the loco is a Tweetsie derived ten wheeler.

Most times two water stops to fuel stop.  In general plan was approximately on coal fired 14 tons coal to 10000 gallons of water.  Oil has less waste than coal so get away with less amount to water.
Logging mallets while a bit more 'mainline than geared still where not traveling very long distances.  The traction that the weight of the water provided more important.

The Uintah articulated ( not a mallet) also had a relatively small coal bunker though they got extended compared to the water tanks.  The coal the Uintah used was pretty dirty though.  Again not traveling very long distance from Atchee to the mines was only about 25 track miles, it was the 7.5% grade that was the killer.

Some logging lines did add tenders sometimes as lines got longer.

I was hoping to see something about the 4-6-0 with new electronics.

Any more information yet?

If you look carefully at the flying Rio Grande I do see a small D&RGW along with T-12 on the cab.

Just saw the product announcement.  Nice to see spectrum electronics installed.  Nice.

Accotding to a folio sheet I have on the 1500 series high side gons it lists light weight as 19700lbs.  Maximum permissible lading of 55000 lbs.  
I take maximum lading as msx load you can put in.
Thus a fully load high side gon weighs in at 10 tons and can carry a bit over 27 tons a total of 37 tons so right near that 40 ton quoted above.
I know that a C-21 locomotive over the 4% grade up to Cerro Summit was limited to 3 fully laden high side gons and a caboose (long).  A c-19 subtract a car.  Track was too light for a K-27 between black canyon and Cerro Summit
Also note condition of the track made a difference as well.  Worn rail and poor track conditions would call for reduced loading.
One thing I found interesting is a class C-18 (nee 72) was rated higher than a C-19 (nee 70), though once on steep trackage actual car load pulling was for all purposes identical.

I have not been getting trains and actually sold off most.  However, got a good look at the C-19 and having tromped through most of the Rockies with my dad on the old narrow gauge road beds got to learn the trains pretty good.  Of course been to Knott's and the CRRM which have the last three C-19s ever and all running (I think).

To see the difference between the first Shay (which I sold) and the latest C-19 is night and day. 

So sad in some respects that the C-19 will pretty much be the end of the 1:20.3 line.   As has been mentioned elsewhere the LS market while having come back a little is still pretty much a niche of a niche.  Oh and I managed to snag the long caboose to go with it as well.  Again, compared to what else is out there very very nicely done. 

I keep hoping that somewhere a new 1:20.3 locomotive will be announced or the K-27 will be rerun but know that more than likely the powers that be in the board at Bachmann do not see enough profit in doing so.  So the C-19 will be a proud testament to what a manufacturer could and did.

Before a SD9 which would be a new mold I think one could reasonably hope that Dash 9 would making its way.  The old A company also had the excellent RS3 U25B and GP40.
I think revisiting these with existing molds might be a good way for Bachmann to 'stick a toe in the water'. 

Note these are all 1:29 and so was the Peter Witt. 

I think this would give Bachmann both a presence in more modern standard gauge in 1:29 to complement the 1:20.3 narrow gauge.  If so, success of some of the models mentioned would be an indication to the management to move forward with an SD9 (presuming the other A company ever gets around to it).  I note that other A company no longer even mentions the SD9 either and as for the GP60 which they said would be out this year that project seems to have gone way silent as well.

*Sigh*

Maybe a certain P named company might be convinced?  The Ludmilla diesel is something else, very well made. 

Nice but let's keep it geared!

How about this little number:



Or even this number



or even this



A 2 cylinder three truck shay and a small Baldwin geared engine.  Of course neither were 3 ft (42" gauge on the former and meter on the later)

The hoist/ditcher was made in all sorts of guages and guess sort of locomotive since self powered.

Various track materials have their pluses and mines.  Aluminum is relatively inexpensive but as pointed out the oxide is non-conductive.  It is also softer material and stepping on it can put a kink or dent in it.  Again as pointed out, very popular for battery and live steam.

Brass in a pretty good all around compromise between conductivity and cleaning. 

If you are not into cleaning track much then stainless steel is probably the best.  Virtually no cleaning involved.  It is overall less conductive than the above materials so long runs require more feeders.  It is also very robust rail.

The Aniversary or Annies are good starters and will squeeze around something less that 8ft diameter.  I still have one stuffed away someplace in the closet.  Poor thing, but I have no doubt it would still run. 

On a different note, America and the UK primarily use what is called the Whyte system for designation of steam locomotives.

Thus a 4-6-0 would be a four wheel lead truck, six driven wheels and no trailing wheels.

In Europe this would be a 2-C-0.  They count the axles with numbers being non-driven and letters being driven axles.

Bachmann's excellent out of production mallet (named after the inventor) is a 2-6-6-2T in Whyte system.  That translates to two wheel lead, six driving wheels with their own set of cylinders, another six drive wheels with their own set of cylinders, a two wheel trailing truck and no tender.  All the water and fuel being carried in Tanks (thus the T for Tank) on the locomotive.  Some authors to indicate that the locomotive is articulated (can bend) use a + to indicate where that is located so in the above example it would be 2-6+6-2T.

Get started, have fun and in no time you will burning digits with live steam!

4ft diameter?  Most of the Spectrum stuff will not even fit through a curve that tight.  Hopefully something larger like 8ft, 10ft or even #6 will be forthcoming.

An outside frame allowed the boiler to be a bit bigger around and sit lower for a lower center of gravity to help stability. 

One could never have done say something like a K-36/37 size locomotive with inside frames and not have it be very top heavy.

For example No 33 Consoldiation of the C&NW was an enlarged version of her sisters 31 and 32, all inside frame.  She was considered an example of taking a good design too far and many of the crews considered her too top heavy and unstable. 

Something like a C-18 (Class 72) is about C-19 and was a design that seemed to appear on other narrow gauge roads.  Of course it also has Stephenson gear.

While not Rio Grande, a light to medium inside frame Mike would be interesting.

For a small locomotive with Walschaerts valve gear SP ten wheeler 18.  To make it more generic could put a rectangular tender with it rather than the rather unique whaleback.

I always thought RGS #74 was a neat thing.  Fairly hefty for a Connie she had a big boiler and this resulted in Brooks canting the cylinders and putting Walschaerts valve gear on her.  She was listed at a good 21K tractive effort. While somewhat unique she worked three Colorado Roads - C&NW, C&S and of course finished her time on the RGS.  She still exists as well.  Boiler was found to be good but her frame was too cracked probably from bucking snow on the C&S and of course the RGS had no money to make a big overhaul so she has just been cosmetically restored.  She would fit in well with the previously released K-27.