I think the first thing I'd invest in would be a tripod.  The pictures look like you tried to hand-hold them; that's really tough to do w/o at least some camera jiggle.

It is not the intent of this post to conduct a mini seminar in model photography, but if you use a tripod and the camera's built-in timer, you will see an immediate & dramatic improvement in ypur pictures.  Simply set up the camera, frame the photo, set the timer for the shutter, set it off, then step back & stand still.  Standing still will help eliminate any vibrations from the floor.  I think you wuld be surprised at the improved results.

Hope this helps...

dlm

It goes without saying that the major manufacturers have to produce those engines that they feel will have the broadest appeal.  An obscure engine might really please one road's modelers, but won't do much for anyone else.

I'd guess that the Class A was popular because of its stint as an excursion engine, not just because of its N&W heritage.  The same may very well be true of Bachmann's offerings of both the NKP 765 & 759; both of them have seen a lot of excursion service and more recent exposure than engines ran 50+ years ago.

Like most other model railroaders, I really like to see "big steam" on a layout.  Even if that particular locomotive's appearance needs to be altered to fit on tighter curves or if it doesn't look "right' on a smaller pike.  But the reality is that sooner or later, when you go to fill out your power roster, you realize that you are more in need of the smaller locos than the big ones.  To that end, I'd join the chorus of those asking for the Atlantics, the Moguls, the Praries, the Consols and the Twelve Wheelers.  And, unlike a lot of others, I'm willing to accept a good generic model as opposed to one that is road specific.

The one engine I'd really like to see?  How about one that resembles the Mantua 4-6-0 Southern Belle?) with the unevenly spaced drivers.  That with an updated drive, flywheel, some options to date it & some neat electronics... there goes my model rr budget!

dlm

Quote from: SteamGene on December 06, 2007, 09:51:19 PM
C&O K class Mikados and F class Pacifics had flying pumps - or most of them did, and many had Elesco feedwater heaters.  In addition, many had Vanderbilt tenders and most without Vandys had large rectangular ones.
Gene

Yes, those are the engines that I like the looks of... and I've always thought that the Vanderbilt Tender was cool looking.  I don't believe the NKP had any; maybe that's why I liked the GN as well.

dlm

I just received my Berkshire in the mail the other day (you may read my comments on the 2-8-4 thread).  I had previously gotten an undecorated 4-6-0 Spectrum but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

dlm

I had an opportunity to run my new Bachmann 2-8-4 the other day for the
first time.  While this isn't going to be an exhaustive review, I'll mention
the following in no particular order...
    o  The engine seemed hard to get on the tracks at first.  I use a Rix
Rerailer and it didn't seem to like that at all.  But once I got all wheels on the track corectly, it stayed that way for the entire time I was running it.
    o  I only ran it about fifteen minutes but it seemed to do well.
    o  The motor did seem to have a bit of a loud buzz in it.  I've heard
that this is sometimes the case when DCC equipped engines are run on DC which was the case here.
    o  Pulling power... I was running seven properly weighted (by NMRA
standards) Athearn HO passenger cars behind my Berk.  With that load, the drivers slipped some on an uphill, curved 2% grade but the train still made it to the top.
    o  The engine & tender both have yellow LEDs for headlight/back-up
lights.  This doesn't really float my boat all that much but I don't "worry"
about it since I don't do any night time running.
    o  The lettering on the tender (mine is NKP 765) seemed just a bit too
yellow to me.  Dulux gold looks a little more orange to me but then who knows?  I do know that anything in that range of shades is difficult to get correct.  Any shade of yellow is a tough color to work with.
    o  Slow speed was excellent!  While the starting voltage seemed a little
high, once the loco was in motion, it could be throttled way back down and
the engine barely crawled along.  While not a "switcher," this would be
excellent for coupling in the yard and such.
    o  Out of the box, the front coupler drooped too much and the trip pin
was catching on rails at crossovers & switches.  A quick upward bend of the trip pin fixed this.

Overall, I'm initially pleased with the engine and think it will be a great
addition to my motive power fleet.

dlm

I'd tend to side with those who are looking for the smaller to medium sized locomotives.  The big articulateds look great but they are expensive and "sometimes" don't live up to our expectations.  I have a couple that seem to have a hard time pulling their own tenders.  : (

Funny that while I am interested in the Nickel Plate, I sometimes like engines solely for the way they look.  Along those lines, I'd like to see a mid-sized loco with both an Elesco feedwater heater AND flying pumps mounted on the smokebox.  I think at one time, AHM/IHC did a Mikado that way.  Probably the others I've seen are brass and would be of little interest to me.  But alas, some Pacifics have also been equipped the same way.  Maybe someday I'll see one along those lines...

dlm

The UPS man delivered my 2-8-4 #765 this morning!  So I'll have a chance to put it on the track tonight and fill you all in on my first impressions of how it performs.  I can say that it does look sharp but looks aren't everything.  : )

dlm

I'm just wondering about the "distribution channel."  I've had mine on order for quite some time now but haven't seen them yet.  Yet, other comments here suggest that some already have theirs.

Patience is a virtue... : )

dlm

Still waiting on mine... will write about it as soon as I can in my blog.  It's the first time I've ever ordered a loco prior to release.  I did see them in Detroit but didn't get to run them.

dlm

...but I'm talking about"other" Bachmann engines.  Yes, I generally understand that the Spectrum line is "better" than the standard line, but I'm asking about the standard ones... I'd like some smaller engines; the Spectrums tned to be larger offerings... 2-10-0, 4-8-2, 2-6-6-2... about the only "small" Spectrum I'm aware of is the 4-6-0.

Does that make my question any clearer?

dlm

I've been looking at smaller steam locomotives lately and would like to add some to my fleet.  I've been told that some of the newer Bachmann offerings are much better than some of the earlier releases.  Is there any way that I can tell which ones are newer and therfore better? 

Thanks.

dlm