YAY!!!!!!!!
While it's sadly not Spectrum, Bachmann have announced a Sound Value USRA 2-8-2 in three versions.
Sound Value MSRP $379.00
DCC Ready MSRP $299.00
http://www.bachmannindustriesinc.com/pdf/NMRA_2014.pdf (http://www.bachmannindustriesinc.com/pdf/NMRA_2014.pdf)
We'll take it anyway.
Cheers
Roger T.
Roger you missed two, there are five....
UP, B&O,Pennsy,NYC,MC.
Jerry
Quote from: Jerrys HO on July 18, 2014, 03:06:17 PM
Roger you missed two, there are five....
UP, B&O,Pennsy,NYC,MC.
Jerry
No Jerry, there are three versions.
They are: -
1) Medium Tender
2) Long Tender
2) Medium tender with high mounted headlight.
I didn't mention how many road names as I don't care about road names, other than to mention that, unfortunately, there's no "undec" available.
Ah well, better than no 2-8-2 I guess. :)
Cheers
Roger T.
Dissapointed to see no non sound B&O version. Could do 4500 in non sound. Also seen the old time 440s got a face and price lift.
Sorry Roger,
Hard to see without glasses 8). Wife says I need them? :'(
Jerry
Quote from: Jerrys HO on July 18, 2014, 06:02:45 PM
Sorry Roger,
Hard to see without glasses 8). Wife says I need them? :'(
Jerry
LOL, no need to apologise. I have one eye and wear glasses, my wife still says the same thing.
Cheers
Roger T.
I guess I needn't say, I'm dancing on the ceiling over the sound value Mikes... ESPECIALLY the B&O Q-3 version. Should be a great loco to super-detail. I wonder if it has the belt-drive system?
Love it. Thanks, Bachmann!
Regards,
Jonathan
Glad you're going to get some B&O Q-3s, Jon!
Of course, now that Bachmann has sprung for a Mike with 63-inch drivers, I wonder what else might come available, using the mechanism?
Some obvious choices:
USRA Heavy 2-8-2, used in large numbers by several roads, among them L&N, Southern, C&NW, NYC (P&LE), and Milwaukee
Harriman 2-8-2, used by UP, SP, and IC and others
C&O K-2 or K-3 2-8-2
Hi Roger;
The cheer is understandable. I will decline as I have some pretty good Mikes on the roster. Everything from the two SY (green card) Mikes I had written about to a couple of Paragon mikes I had "beefed up" too look like a couple of Chessie 2-8-2's, with Athearn, Roundhouse (built from 2-8-0). A good part of what I like about this hobby is the many many choices one has, which to me, makes it a real blast! OK, time for haggis...
Rich C..
Hey Bach-Man or Yardmaster, can you confirm if there will or not will be a non sound B&O version of this mikado? I don't do sound so unless there is a non sound one. I wont be interested in it.
Quote from: BaltoOhioRRfan on July 19, 2014, 02:48:58 PM
Hey Bach-Man or Yardmaster, can you confirm if there will or not will be a non sound B&O version of this mikado? I don't do sound so unless there is a non sound one. I wont be interested in it.
If you look at the announcement (http://www.bachmannindustriesinc.com/pdf/NMRA_2014.pdf), the 2-8-2's are the first thing you see at the top (no joke). The B&O version is a DCC Sound Value version (and the non sound ones are WP w/ Medium Tender, Southern w/ Long Tender, Rock Island w/ Medium Tender, Frisco w/Medium Tender and Pere Marquette w/ Long Tender) however you would be able to make a non sound version yourself by getting one of the non sound (DCC Ready) ones with the medium tender and get the shells for the engine and tender in B&O once parts are made available.
Jonathan and Roger: Just took a look at the Mike. Great looking locomotive! The sound looks to cover a lot of turf with what most people want for the price. I am sure, if one looks around, they will find better pricing, as that is probably the MSRP. Jonathan, what do you plan to do with this? I am really tempted, but I have more than enough stuff now and a layout not even off of the drawing board. Not that it will be a "K.A" layout, but it will probably be the last one (let's see if we can really take them with us after all.....
Rich C.
Quote from: MilwaukeeRoadfan261 on July 20, 2014, 12:01:08 AM
Quote from: BaltoOhioRRfan on July 19, 2014, 02:48:58 PM
Hey Bach-Man or Yardmaster, can you confirm if there will or not will be a non sound B&O version of this mikado? I don't do sound so unless there is a non sound one. I wont be interested in it.
If you look at the announcement (http://www.bachmannindustriesinc.com/pdf/NMRA_2014.pdf), the 2-8-2's are the first thing you see at the top (no joke). The B&O version is a DCC Sound Value version (and the non sound ones are WP w/ Medium Tender, Southern w/ Long Tender, Rock Island w/ Medium Tender, Frisco w/Medium Tender and Pere Marquette w/ Long Tender) however you would be able to make a non sound version yourself by getting one of the non sound (DCC Ready) ones with the medium tender and get the shells for the engine and tender in B&O once parts are made available.
I'm hoping they forgot info and they are doing all ten road names in both sound and non sound, but its doubtful and sure hope bachmann doesn't go in the direction of some road names with and some roads without sound.
Quote from: electrical whiz kid on July 20, 2014, 10:24:04 AM
Jonathan and Roger: Just took a look at the Mike. Great looking locomotive! The sound looks to cover a lot of turf with what most people want for the price. I am sure, if one looks around, they will find better pricing, as that is probably the MSRP. Jonathan, what do you plan to do with this? I am really tempted, but I have more than enough stuff now and a layout not even off of the drawing board. Not that it will be a "K.A" layout, but it will probably be the last one (let's see if we can really take them with us after all.....
Rich C.
Rich.
I for one am quite satisfied with the simpler sounds provided by the Bachmann sound chips.
1) Provided there is a reasonable chuff sound I'm happy though, I would like the chuff faded to away as the throttle was closed, ditto for diesel engine sounds but, for that price, you get what you pay for.
2) I'm happy with the bell and whistle selections so these can sound the appropriate whistle signals as and when required. That's all part of prototypical operation.
3) Headlights. Satisfied but would like the option of individual control over front and rear headlights and not have them change automatically as this is not prototypical. But even some of the more advanced systems have this annoying automatic headlight function. For example, I'd like my switchers to have both front and rear headlights on dim, as that's the way the prototype usually run when switching. This is so the headlight doesn't dazzle the crew on the ground. I'd also like the ability to dim the front headlight when meeting other trains, rule 17 in the railroad rule book.
4) Compressor sound it good enough. Don't need blow down, don't need safely valves lifting (Usually a sign of poor firing) etc., etc..
I really don't mind there's no brake squeal, fireman shoveling, coupler crash nor any function that requires me to push a button to get a sound FX.
Over all, I'm happy with Bachmann sound but, I must admit, I do have six steam engines currently having Wow sound decoders installed so I may change my mind. :)
Cheers
Roger T.
Roger;
You know; a lot of the sounds-I don't care which module, are so disproportionately loud-such as that coupling sound-and yet, to bring it down to proportions would make it disappear. To me, where it would be OK is if you were in O-scale, and the track was scale-wise located "across the street"...say from the barber shop. I am with you on a lot of the stuff. I've watched stuff on "you -tube" etc, and always come away with that feeling. I have five of the 2-6-0 Moguls and find myself getting away from the aspect of big power. Also, being a bit of a new Haven nut, I have a wierd draw to motors (electric power). What would really get my attention would be an EP-3 or EP-4 motor-New Haven colours, of course. I scratched that coaling tower in the North Cedar Hill yard-must have been some really neat action in the day... There was a gravity fed coal unloading facility there, so...Yeah...good watching...
Oh, and I did manage to accrue a lifetime supply of parts from Cal-Scale, so I am pretty much all set-unless...Well, then there is Evil Bay...
O bought a couple of Ambroid express reefer kits. This brings back memories of being on my friend's layout. He had some really nice passenger cars [that] were Ambroid, and also that refer in Great Northern colours and herald. Just HAD to have it! He is the old friend who had that Tenshodo 4-6-6-4 (circa 1955). Not sure what it would be worth now-probably not much. More haggis...
RIch C.
Rich.
As I've mentioned before, most of my sounds are turned down so they are barely audible from four feet away.
I keep the whistles at 100% and I bring the bells down so that are just audible over the engine sounds at four feet. Engine noises from four feet away sounds realistic enough and doesn't become annoyingly loud.
Right now, I'm sitting in my "office" outside the railway room's four foot wide pocket door, which is open behind me, about 12 feet away. There are five steam and two diesels currently on "live tracks" and I can barely hear the loudest diesel and just the occasional "pant" of a steam compound pump. Live tracks? I have all my roundhouse stall and garden tracks equipped with on/off switches so engines stored on them are silent and do not draw power on start system up. Saves overloading the NCE booster. I'll eventually do the same thing to all the staging tracks, once the permanent ones are built. No need to have a dozen or so trains with motive power all live and making a noise when sitting off stage in staging. :)
Cheers
Roger T.
Well, since you asked....
My intention is to find all the little details that were left out--since this is not a Spectrum model, I suspect I'll have to add tender footboards, cut levers, injectors, crew, weathering, a few extra decals, and so on. I'll find a few good photos of some Q-3s, and go nuts.
For myself, the sound value package is perfect, as I'm a roundy-round operator... the Mike can chuff away all it wants. Soundtraxx seems to be married to the B&O 3-chime whistle for everything. I'm guessing that will be the default whistle when delivered.
These locos will look much better pulling my freight, as I like long trains. Double-heading is SOP on my railroad. If they match speed with my sound/onboard Connies, all the better, though not necessary.
Again, this is really good news, I never thought the Bachmann folks would do a USRA Light-Mike, since so many had been done by others, incorrectly I might add.
Thanks, guys, you bowled me over... again!
Regards,
Jonathan
Jonathan.
I agree, the 2-8-2 is a welcome addition, even if it's not a Spectrum model. Sadly, I also think Spectrum is on the way out to be replaced by the lesser detailed but sound equipped Sound Value line. I guess Bachmann's management feel the inclusion of sound is better than the inclusion of better details. However, like you, I am quite capable of adding the extra details as time permits. All but two of my diesels have already been upgraded as have many steam but the Sound Value steam and diesels will have to wait until a get started on scenery.
You mention long trains.
I've just last night finished enlarging and modifying the track plan, at the expense of the lift up flap, it's now a duck-under, of my temporary staging yard. It's gone from six tracks to eight and from taking a maximum of 2 x 12 car trains plus van and power to a maximum 2 x 21 car train plus van and power, with of course the tracks either side being of the two centre and longest tracks being proportionally small. However, the shortest tracks are now capable of taking 18 car trains. I replace the throat entrances at each end of the yard with wye switches, so that helped by shortening both yard throats by more than a foot each.
The two longest centre tracks are used for the east and west through freights that drop off and pick up a block of interchange cars as they pass through Farnham, my modelled yard. The next two outer tracks are used by the two daily short haul freights. These originate and terminate in Farnham Yard and run east and west bound. These take freight cars to be interchanged are the various interchanges on the east and west division either side of Farnham and so operate between Farnham and Montreal to the west and Farnham and Sherbrooke to the east.
The next two are the way freights that switch local industries to the east and west of Farnham and, so as to keep their train a reasonable length, like the prototype, also switch cars set out for them at major industries by the two short haul freights.
I then have one other track used by the Montreal commuters, these double up on one staging track. One steam and one two car RDC set. The steam commuter also doubles as a branch local as it runs through the staging yard on its early morning westward inbound commuter run to later appear as a branch local from the east. It then get turned and departs as a branch local east bound only to appear later in the evening as the evening rush commuter arriving from Montreal at Farnham. The RDC shuttles back and forward between Montreal and Farnham three times per day. Complicated but it does make sense. :-)
Finally, I'm hoping to add daily overnight passenger trains from Montreal to the Maritimes and back, these will be diesel hauled by both GER and CPR and operate as pool trains with both CPR and GER power and passenger cars. Just need to figure out how to free up a staging track to let one of these trains layover in staging as I don't have room for the extra staging track required.
Of course, once the permanent staging is built, not only will I have room for all these trains but also trains to and from the CNR, NYC, D&H and Rutland. But that's a few years into the future. Unless I win the lottery. :)
Sorry if I've rambled on but, as you know, prototype operate is why I'm into this hobby.
Cheers
Roger T.
PS. With through staging, I'm not adverse to having a sound equipped diesel or steam loco aimlessly doing the roundy-roundy while I'm working at my workbench. :)
Wow, I should love to pictures of that Yard sometime, It sounds Impressive I'm stuck with my Childhood 4*8 still while I spend my spare change on upgrades here and there (Like my previously mentioned Mine). Those darn People at College want me to pay them instead!
I'll be looking at the Mike's myself once they are out, Maybe Make that my next big purchase if I like them enough to ignore how silly they will look on my curves, assuming they can handle 18 inch curves at all without derailing (the 2-8-4 can, albeit with difficulty hence it is rarely run).
I'd Imagine that, Once they have been out, They will sell for much less from retailers, as Is typical with Bachmann Products. I'm glad to see that there is another steam Locomotive coming out. I'd be interested in seeing how road name specific they are as Bachmann seems on and Off about that (I'm always shocked about how accurate those Russian Decapods are to their Prototype) whereas the 2-8-0, 4-6-0 and to a milder degree the 2-8-4 are more generalised
All in all, very interesting product, can't wait to see Photos of the real Model.
Quote from: Irbricksceo on July 21, 2014, 03:09:05 AM
Wow, I should love to pictures of that Yard sometime, It sounds Impressive I'm stuck with my Childhood 4*8 still while I spend my spare change on upgrades here and there (Like my previously mentioned Mine). Those darn People at College want me to pay them instead!
I'll be looking at the Mike's myself once they are out, Maybe Make that my next big purchase if I like them enough to ignore how silly they will look on my curves, assuming they can handle 18 inch curves at all without derailing (the 2-8-4 can, albeit with difficulty hence it is rarely run).
I'd Imagine that, Once they have been out, They will sell for much less from retailers, as Is typical with Bachmann Products. I'm glad to see that there is another steam Locomotive coming out. I'd be interested in seeing how road name specific they are as Bachmann seems on and Off about that (I'm always shocked about how accurate those Russian Decapods are to their Prototype) whereas the 2-8-0, 4-6-0 and to a milder degree the 2-8-4 are more generalised
All in all, very interesting product, can't wait to see Photos of the real Model.
Irbricksceo
Images of my Farnham Yard under construction are in my sig, or at this link: -
http://s94.photobucket.com/user/rogertra/library/The%20new%20Great%20Eastern%20Railway?sort=4&page=1 (http://s94.photobucket.com/user/rogertra/library/The%20new%20Great%20Eastern%20Railway?sort=4&page=1)
I don't yet have any photos of the "improved" staging yard posted. In the next day or two I hope. :)
The Mike should be able to handle 18" curve but will, of course, look much better on 30" curves or greater.
As for your 4 x 8, we all started there at one time or another. :)
I'm sure the "street price" for the Mikes will be much better then the MSRP.
I agree the 2-10-0 is quite accurate, though my three have had their steam dome and sandbox replaced and are scheduled to have their cabs replaced at sometime to make them look less "Russian".
The 2-8-0 is, I've been told by people better informed than me, is based roughly on some Illinois Central engines acquired from Baldwin.
The Alco 2-6-0 is based on Green Bay & Western no. 38.
Both 4-6-0s are Baldwin looking but have compromises. Most noticeable is the slide valve (square) steam chest combined with the outside valve gear, a rare combination. Both models would have looked better with either piston valves and outside valve gear or slide vales with inside valve gear but not the combination. My models of both the high and low boilered 4-6-0s are currently not in service as I'm looking at ways to replace the cylinders and slide valves with more modern piston valves.
I have several each of the 2-6-0, 2-10-0, 2-8-0 and both versions of the 4-6-0s.
Finally the 2-8-4. I can't comment directly on this model as I don't own any. They were very rare birds in Canada, which is why I don't own any of that wheel arrangement. The only two in Canada were owned by the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo railway, which was majority owned by the NYC. Hence, I guess, the 2-8-4s.
Like you, I can't wait to see photos and read reviews of the 2-8-2, fingers crossed it's a good model.
Cheers.
Roger T.
Hello YARDMASTER/The Bachmann,
Seems like they hit a home run with steam here witch Bachmann won me over with there steam power just recently.I was full blown diesel
freak before that...... I see the GP 40 with the 645 sound value prime mover in ho and a N scale sd45 with sound.
But what about ho scale SD45 with the sound or did I miss something again ???Confused as usual.
Jack
Roger, I agree with the valve gear on the 4-6-0, It is unusual. I have seen photos of a locomotive with that combination taken by my grandfather and, according to him, of the hundreds of steamers He's seen and Photographed, that was the only one with such a combination. As I recall, it was a Connie, Could be wrong though.
In any event, I'm Excited by the new Line. It's unlikely I will get the Sound value if I do buy one since, given my curves, It won't see daily action and therefore doesn't really justify sound, I'd just give it a regular decoder from either my SY or one of my Connie's since I plan to, one day, convert one or more of em to sound.
P.S.
I looked at those Photo's, Great work! I've always thought that Making and Breaking Trains is arguably the most fun part of operation, Certainty keep you busy!
Now all we have to do is wait for the new Mikes to arrive... it will seem like an eternity.
I have started studying the 100 Q-3 Mikes from the B&O roster. There were about half a dozen that retained the USRA pilot AND no brakeman's hooch was added behind the fireman's seat. Makes picking a number easier, and makes less work for me. Of course, I will start a thread as soon as I start tinkering with these locos.
In the meantime, here's my brass Q-4 Mike, that will be going back in the box when its plastic brethren arrive:
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/Rolling%20Stock/DSCN3792_zps73cf13d1.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/Rolling%20Stock/DSCN3792_zps73cf13d1.jpg.html)
Regards,
Jonathan
Jonathan.
Just spent a few enjoyable minutes browsing through your website. Great work.
Have a question, do you recall what paint you used to get this great wood colour on your wooden poles?: -
(http://i642.photobucket.com/albums/uu146/jsnvogel/DSCN1044.jpg) (http://s642.photobucket.com/user/jsnvogel/media/DSCN1044.jpg.html)
Cheers
Roger T.
Just an interesting thing, I asked again, the Locomotive with Slide Valves and Outside Gear that was photographed by My grandfather was in fact a 4-6-0, and It seems Baldwin made a few like that between 1905 and 1920 (to the best I could find)
Jonathan, I'm not an expert on the B&O (even though I model the Northeast, I stick mostly to the Tristate So Erie, Lackawanna, NYSW, NYC, CNJ) But I Don't recall Vandy Tenders at the B&O Museum when I visited, was that common on their Locomotives or Specific to the Q-4's? The USRA Mike will ship with a medium Tender so I'm intrigued if you will be swapping it out.
Quote from: Irbricksceo on July 22, 2014, 11:04:36 PM
Just an interesting thing, I asked again, the Locomotive with Slide Valves and Outside Gear that was photographed by My grandfather was in fact a 4-6-0, and It seems Baldwin made a few like that between 1905 and 1920 (to the best I could find)
They did but the operative word is "Few". Steam with slide valves and outside gear was not common. As I said, I'm trying to find suitable piston valves to convert the four 4-6-0s I have, two of each and make them more into modern 4-6-0s as on a Canadian class one in the 1950s, slide valves were rare to unknown. I don't recall seeing any photos of 4-6-0s with anything but piston valves. Even the few surviving 4-4-0s, CPR 144 and 29 both had piston valves.
Perhaps the piston valves from the 2-6-0 will fit? I'll have to look into that.
Cheers
Roger T.
Thanks, Roger. (poles)
The secret is green. First, I stained the dowels with some dark brown acrylic, diluted with about 50% water. Then I stained with hunter green--again diluted with about 50% water.
I noticed the old wooden light poles in my area had a greenish tint, barely detectable.
Addendum: prior to stain, I scraped the dowels to rough 'em up a bit--with the edge of a razor saw I think.
Irbricks:
A few of the USRA (B&O Q-3) Mikes did, in fact, receive vandy tenders... BIG ones--like the C&O Long Vandy Tenders that Bachmann use to sell separately. I used my long Vandy tenders on my Heavy Mountains. Unless some long tenders are re-released, my Mikes will not get that treatment. Most Q-3's retained the USRA tender.
The hard part is finding a photo of the prototype from the rear. I have no idea what the reverse light looked like, if they even had one--some B&O locos never got reverse lights, especially passenger power. Not that it will matter to me. I LOVE reverse lights. :)
Regards,
Jonathan
Quote from: jonathan on July 23, 2014, 07:03:45 AM
Thanks, Roger. (poles)
The secret is green. First, I stained the dowels with some dark brown acrylic, diluted with about 50% water. Then I stained with hunter green--again diluted with about 50% water.
I noticed the old wooden light poles in my area had a greenish tint, barely detectable.
Addendum: prior to stain, I scraped the dowels to rough 'em up a bit--with the edge of a razor saw I think.
Irbricks:
A few of the USRA (B&O Q-3) Mikes did, in fact, receive vandy tenders... BIG ones--like the C&O Long Vandy Tenders that Bachmann use to sell separately. I used my long Vandy tenders on my Heavy Mountains. Unless some long tenders are re-released, my Mikes will not get that treatment. Most Q-3's retained the USRA tender.
The hard part is finding a photo of the prototype from the rear. I have no idea what the reverse light looked like, if they even had one--some B&O locos never got reverse lights, especially passenger power. Not that it will matter to me. I LOVE reverse lights. :)
Regards,
Jonathan
Some B&O Passenger engines did get reverse lights....the 5300 has one, as well as the 4500
5300:
(https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10352741_725016414188484_8288726324714826213_n.jpg?oh=43997bdd91afd97984d84554eb54d6fc&oe=5451AFE2)
4500:
(https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1796533_725007767522682_5800059708623110721_n.jpg?oh=aad5dc413af63107bdcb80d78f76797f&oe=54428749)
Great shots from the museum, Balto. Now I have something to work with. Been to the museum a couple times, but never bothered to snap photos of the rear of the locos. Live and learn.
Regards,
Jonathan