That would be a neat loco, Harold.  I also photobashed the mechanism from a Bachmann HO 4-6-0 under the IF 4-4-0 body.  Now if I can just find the time to do the same thing in real life...

I've often wondered what sort of things could come out of the Bachmann factory if they started recombining parts from different locos.



manager

Actually, now that I've measured the underside of the loco, it looks like Harold's right, the 2-8-0 would be one of the easier locos to convert.  The area inside the frame is a bit wide for the existing On30 gauge, and should allow the drivers to be regauged without major surgery to the frame.  And the upside is that the extra long axles can still be used, so you don't have to fabricate new axles.  But you would have to completely disassemble the wheels and rods, in order to move the wheels along the axle.

So, is the conversion of a 2-8-0 to On3 be doable?  Probably.  Would it be easy?  That depends on your skill level, and how much time you have to invest.  Harold could make it work, but I would end up with a loco that doesn't run, because the wheels keep falling off.

When it comes to inside frame locos, the conversion process would require new axles, and the only kit that I can find is from Grandt Line.  I notice that they also have sideframes for the conversion of the BLI 2-8-0 to On3.  The Grandt On3 replacement axles might work for other On30 locos.

http://www.internettrains.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGYA&Store_Code=IT&Category_Code=OSCNARLOCGLM

And I've never actually tried knitting a locomotive.  Again, the wheels would probably keep falling off.   ;^)

manager

Hi Nevin, good question.  In general, I think the outside framed locos are going to be much harder to regauge than the inside framed.  The 2-8-0 is a good example of an outside-framed loco, where the frame would have to be widened somewhat to allow the distance between the wheels to be increased.  On the other hand, the Mogul is potentially easier, and I think that Grandt Line actually made some sort of kit to allow for this, but I can't find any mention of it on their website.  But in either case, I would think that new axles would be necessary, which would require major disassembly.

I think it depends on your skill level, and definition of the word "easy," when pondering modifying On30 locos to On3.  For me, it would be a challenge, and I had to consider whether the time and expense needed to convert everything to On3 would be worth the detail of having the rails an extra 3/32" apart.  Personally, I would rather spend that time on weathering and structures and scenery.  But I do appreciate the exacting work that the On3 guys do.

manager

There is a lot of Mogul info on the Pacific Coast Air Line website.  The DCC installation articles should help you take the Mogul apart.

Brilliant work, Harold.

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/mogul_page/

manager

The PDF that Bachmann posted predicts a November 2010 delivery.

The 4-6-0 might barely fit on a 12" turntable, but it's about 13-1/8" long over the couplers.  Has anyone fit a 4-6-0 on a turntable?

The track issue is hotly debated, so the following is just my opinion.  It seems that various narrow gauge lines used a variety of ties sizes and spacing, so basically anything is prototypical for the freelance modeler in some sense, even normal HO track, and it comes down to taste.  Also, many photos of narrow gauge lines that I've seen show track that is buried in ballast and dirt and weeds, so that the ties are barely visible, so that makes the size and type of tie even less significant.

Personally, I like the look of MicroEngineering flex code 83, with the long ties that accentuate the narrowness of the rails, and it seems to work well.  I've also used Atlas HO code 83 backstage, and it's fine.  I do have some Peco switches, and they work great, but I always thought they looked odd, until I started watching videos of British narrow gauge.  The Peco does have a distinctive British look.

Or go to Walthers and search for "Fluorescent."  Lots of results.

http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=Fluorescent+

Manager

Personally, I really like the look of the new LS 2-4-2T for On30, although I know there is a lot of interest in other "geared" locos.  It would sure be cool to get an announcement or two at the National Narrow Gauge Convention, which is certain to have more people interested in On30 than the crowd at Milwaukee.

That's probably too much anticipating...

Manager

Litchfield Station also has some good info on how to do DCC/Sound installs.  It's really an art, if you do it well.

http://mrdccu.com/

Manager

Usually, the modular clubs are the ones that show up at these sorts of shows, and I can't find any mention of a modular On30 club in the Wisconsin area on the On30 Annual listing.  There may be one, but I can't find it.  I would suspect that the influence of Kalmbach and Walthers might make it a more prototypical HO/N area.

On the other hand, next years NMRA convention is in Sacramento, and California has lots of On30 activity across the state.  So hopefully the On30 representation will be better next year.

manager

Thanks Scott, no problem at all.  You never know how these things will turn out. 

I did find a blog by Jeff Shultz at Model Railroad Hobbyist, which covers some of the NTS, although it is obviously HO and N centric.

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/blog/jeffshultz

Manager

Without fear of jinxing anything, I'm going to predict a H_______, and also a re-release of the 0-4-2, but with square water tanks, an optional pilot to make it into a 2-4-2, and a DCC decoder.

Rolling stock will include a new excursion car [agreeing with Max's excellent idea], and shorty versions of the passenger cars, not unlike the Sierra RR. passenger cars.

Now, on the Cumberland Southern, I'm going to predict an americanized version of the War Department Baldwin 4-6-0T, bashed from a Bachmann HO 4-6-0 with some parts from the Porter.  That's the plan, anyway.



Manager

That would be great Scott, thanks.

Manager

I hope you guys get what you are asking for, partially so that you can move on to complaining that it's not the exact sort of Heisler you want, and partially so that I can avoid having to buy another rod loco that my railroad really doesn't need, but which I just can't resist. ;^)

But seriously, photos from Milwaukee would be greatly appreciated.

Manager

Overall length, coupler to coupler, is roughly 13.5".  Looks like the wheels would barely fit on a 12" turntable with the tender coupled close.  Perhaps someone who has a 12" turntable will comment.  12.5" or larger would be safe.

Can't help with finding the loco.  See your local hobby shop, or one of local shops that has an online store.  I like Caboose Hobbies myself.

Manager