I guess the next question is does anyone make a 75 foot turntable?  I have a branch line at requires a smaller turntable.  90 feet is a bit large and unneeded.  The largest engine on the branch would be the 2-8-0.  Thanks for the information. -  Nevin

Sorry to be asking this question but I have packed all of the engines in storage and have torn down my old layout, so I can't measure them.   

I am designing my new layout on Cadrail while I get ready to leave for my new job.  For turntables and run-around tracks I need to know the total length of the HO Spectrum 4-6-0 and 2-8-0?  Thanks -  Nevin

That is excellent.  I love a good kitbash, detail job on a steam locomotive to make it look more like a prototype.  My favorite kind of modeling.  Well done. -  Nevin

I think this is a major reason that many hobby shops are closing.  Way too many are clueless and so far behind that they are losing business.  I doubt that Caboose Hobbies would have said that.  Why put up with cluelessness when Loy's or Tony's are so helpful. 

I recently went in to a hobby shop and the guy in there told me flat out that there was no such thing as 2 rail O scale.  All O scale was 3 rail!  He was adamant.  I just walked away shaking my head. -  Nevin

HOPlasserem80c:

It would really help your cause, if you took your time and corrected the spelling and grammar before you hit post.  It makes it most difficult to understand what you are asking. 

-  Nevin

I am trying to hunt down a couple of high boiler undcecorated 4-6-0s and I am finding out that they are getting scarce.  I thought Tony's Train Exchange had them but I just got an email saying that they are sold out and they are not expecting them until September.  Any thoughts and recommendations?  -  Nevin 

Last night I tried to remove the lettering from a Bachmann medium vanderbilt tender.  Tried eraser- no effect.  Tried Solvaset - no effect.  Tried acetone - very slight effect.  This stuff is impervious.  They ought to coat the underside of the space shuttle with whatever is used to letter these tenders.  Any other suggestions?  -  Nevin

I'll look for the screw hidden by the front truck.  The one in the deep hole was the first to come out.  It didn't seem to release anything.  Thanks for the advice.   -  Nevin

I tried to open the Bachmann Vanderbilt tender last night and despite removing several screws it defied all attempts to be disassembled.  Usually with these things it is a matter of pushing a couple tabs at the same time and some tab or part is just stiff.   But before I break something, I thought I would check to see if there is any special trick to this.  The instructions that come with the tender are not terribly helpful.  Thanks -  Nevin

Interesting!  The Las Vegas and Tonopah RR had 3 2-8-0s # 30-32 with 57 inch drivers that weighed 220000 Lbs.  with 22x30 cylinders.   The were built 1907 ans sold to the LA & SL in 1918.

I can't find any pictures of these engines anywhere.  They are not is Myrrick's book.  Although there might be something in a UP photo roster.  Does anyone know if there is such a website for UP.  I know I can find a photo of about any class engine owned by the B&O and WM. 

It looks like these 2-8-0s would be a good start for a T&G, LV&T, T&T model railroad.  The 4-6-0's are dead ringers. - Nevin 

Can anyone give me information about the approximate gross weight, driver diameter, and approximate builders date for the prototype of th Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0.  I understand it is an IC prototype.  Thanks -  Nevin

Are the brass ones not tender drive?  The AHM Reno, Inyo etc.  How much over sized are they?  I had heard that they ran very poorly.  -  Nevin

A couple of my firends bought the new Bachmann Spectrum modernized 4-4-0 at the Timonium show last weekend.  We were discussing the idea of back dating one to something older and more westernized.  The mechanism has to work much better than any brass 4-4-0 without heavy modification. 

Has anyone looked into or performed modifications on this engine to back date it with older domes, stacks etc?  Naturally since I am interested in modeling the V&T, converting one or more of these engines into the V&T
4-4-0s.  Thoughts?  -  Nevin

That was precisely my point.  Several inches in HO is not going to make much of a visual diference.  Going from 56 inch drivers to 63 inch as with the High boiler version would probably be visually apparent.  The model that I saw looked pretty good.  -  Nevin

I seem to remember that someone here had converted a low boiler version of the Bachmann 4-6-0 in to a passable V&T #26 or #27.  The Bachmann has 52 inch drivers and the prototype had 56.   I would love to hear more about how it was done and how much surgery was involved.  I think there were pictures posted at one point.  It looks like my next railroad is going to the V&T! -  Nevin