I think many people would prefer the unlettered version.  Easier to put the numbers for the engines you are specifically modeling.    I much prefer doing it myself. 

I'm changing the smoke stack on my Bachmann 4-6-0 and I've discovered that my bottle of Floquil Graphite paint is too dark the match their paint.  Any suggestions as to which paint matches the Bachmann 4-6-0 graphite paint on their smoke boxes?  Thanks. 

I finally did the work necessary to get the Bachmann Vanderbilt tender to work with the 4-6-0.  Here is my version of Bullfrog Goldfield #12.  I finally got the tender rewired and mated up with the 4-6-0.  It now consists of the Bachmann Vanderbilt tender attached to the 63 inch driver chassis and mounted on the low boiler body.  



Here is the prototype:



Eventually I have to move the bell and complete the striping.  

I am not sure that the current Spectrum 2-8-0 should be that much of a deterent to the making of a smaller slide valve 2-8-0.  The current 2-8-0 is a fantastic model and I have owned 6-8 in the past, but it is a larger more model era model with piston valves. 

Bachmann has already made smaller models based on the Maryland & Pennsylvania RR 4-6-0 and 4-4-0 that are great and I don't think the current 2-8-0 had any effect on those.  Spectrum models based on the smaller M&P 2-8-0 and 0-6-0 would be fantastic for those of us who model pre-WW1 eras.  Something the size of the MDC 2-8-0 but with Spectrum detailing would be wonderful and I'd buy a number of them.  -  Nevin

Now that the Vanderbilt tender is re-wired and working quite well, I've turned my attention to the Boiler of Bullfrog Goldfield #12.  The data I have info shows that it had 63 inch drivers like the Spectrum "high-boiler" 4-6-0.  Photos of BG #12 show it had straight running boards that much more closely resemble the boiler on the ""low-bolier" 4-6-0.  I've had the boiler off the "high-boiler" frame to replace the headlight bulb so I know it isn't too difficult to remove or replace.  Has anyone tried to swap the boiler castings on these two models?  - Thanks

I would love to have a spectrum quality smaller 2-8-0 that is a generic pre-WWI Baldwin.  The railroad that model, the Tonopah & Tidewater bought a number of them around 1907.  Sounds like a great idea to me.  -  Nevin

Congrats to Jonathan for finding out what the BG RR was.  If you are not a big Death Valley railroad aficionado you are unlikely to model the BG.

I've got the Tsunami hard wired except for the lights.  The rear light will be a bulb but the front is an LED.  Before I hook up the white wire I should wired in a 1000 ohm resistor, correct?  -  Nevin

This weekend I am going to finally complete the mating of the Bachmann medium Vanderbilt Tender with a Tsunami sound system and connect it to the Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0.  It will become Bullfrog Goldfield #12 when I am done.  I am well aware of the various wiring changes that must be made and figuring where I am going to put the speaker remains elusive but my question involves the front headlight.  On the 4-6-0 it looks like it is an LED but I am not sure.  The rear light in the Vanderbilt tender is a clearly a bulb.  What resistor should I put in to prevent burning out the the LED?  Do Tsunami's have any corrections built into them to correct for light voltage?

Bonus points for anyone who knows what the Bullfrog Goldfield RR is.   - Nevin

Great models.  I used to model the B&O Sheepskin route though Morgantown WV.  The B&O had great equipment to model.  Your models look sharp.  - Nevin

I've been looking for the oil tank that fits in the Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0 tender.  It comes with the accessories for the undecorated version.  I found the complete tender shell for sale in the parts section of this web site but it doesn't indicate if the oil tank comes with it.  If the oil tank is sold separately, I can't find it in the parts section.  Any thoughts or suggestions?  I like this oil tank better than my current ones.  -  Nevin

I've done it.  This one works without any modifications at all.  Direct swap.  -  Nevin

More information about how you converted the cylinders to slide valves would be great.  Very impressive kitbashing and modeling.  -  Nevin

How did you get the bead to continue along the straight edge of the top of the tender after you cut the upper raised edge of the coal bunker off? - Nevin

From studying some old photographs that I hadn't seen before It is apparent that LV&T #1 and #2 have boilers and tenders that would be almost dead ringers for the Bachmann Rogers 4-4-0.  The only problem is the they were small drivered 4-6-0s.  Can anyone measure the 4-4-0 boiler length and tell me if a swap with the small drivered Bachmann 4-6-0 is feasible?  My first guess is no, b ut I don't gave any 4-4-0s to measure.  Thanks -  Nevin

I know all of that.  I have converted the Vanderbilt to run behind the 4-6-0.  I was curious to know if there was continued compatibility problems with the newest of tenders from the new Baldwin 4-4-0 with the sound system and the 4-6-0.