Hi there, can anybody tell me the dimensions of the driver wheelbase of
1] 2-10-2
2] 4-8-2
3] 4-8-4
Thanks.
As an afterthought i meant HO scale not prototype. Thanks again.
Are you talking about Bachmann's model? If you are talking about the models, the only one I know for sure is the 4-8-4 is 80 inch. My guess would be the 2-10-2 would be 62 or 63, the 4-8-2L 69 and 4-8-2H 73
Wheel base is the distance between the drivers from the middle of the first to the middle of the last. This is a function of the driver diameter and the spacing between drivers.
Driver diameter is a function of the size of the individual driver.
Gene
The actual driver wheelbase on my Bachmann Spectrum 2-10-2 Santa Fe type is approx. 2 and 15/16 inches (centre of front drivers to centre of rear drivers).
djp,
First, you need to tell us more specificly which locos. Bachmann makes several 4-8-4's, many with different wheel base and driver dimensions. same with 4-8-2.
And, do you want actual inches or scale feet or both? I can measure a 4-8-2 heavy if that is what you are looking for. I do not have the others.
RAM,
It pays to not quess about things you don't know. Which 4-8-4 with 80" drivers?
The N&W J is a 4-8-3 and has 70" drivers. The 4-8-2, both light and heavy have 69" drivers, and the USRA light 2-10-2 has 57" drivers.
Sheldon
Sheldon, the 4-8-4 Niagara, the 4-8-2 Heavy mountain and the 2-10-2 Light. I have the 2-10-2 made by IHC so if you can measure your 4-8-2 heavy that will make it two engine dimensions i have. Please measure them in inches for me. Thanks. The reason i make this strange request is because my 2-10-2 does a terrible job negotiating 18" curves at low speeds. So if the other two engines have the same wheelbase [i intend buying both] then i know it will be a waste for me. I will have to settle for the K4 4-6-2. Thanks Sheldon for the diameter dimensions. Judging from that i think all three engines will have approximately the same wheelbase.
djp,
I can tell you without measuring it that the Bachmann USRA Heavy Mountain will NOT run on 18" radius curves. Bachmann has a note in the packaging recommending 22" minimum, and even that is pushing it in my opinion.
None of these large locos run well or look good on such small curves. This has been a point of much discussion on this board over the years. It is a major reason why those of us with experiance in the hobby keep calling for more medium sized steam, 2-8-2's, 4-6-0's etc.
Sheldon
DJP,
Sheldon is right. I'm amazed you can get your 2-10-2 to negotiate an 18" curve. It really must look strange doing so. You might want to look into smaller locomotives, especially if all your curves are 18 inch. Go for the Spectrum 2-8-0, 2-10-0, 4-6-0, or the IHC 2-8-2 or 4-6-2. But if you buy any IHC, make sure they are the newer ones and maybe wait until the newest ones with the smaller flanges are released.
Gene
Sheldon and Gene, thanks for the help there, i guess the 4-8-2 is out for me. Well i am sure i will be happy with the 4-6-2. My 2-10-2 does a terrible job going round those curves and looks...... forget it. You guys would probably get a heart attack seeing it. I like to run my loco's ultra slow so you can just imagine how this baby goes round the curve. I am afraid it will one day burn the motor out or end up grinding some gears. I was surfing online and internettrains.com says they are getting stock of the new IHC 4-6-2 in a month or so. I'll keep a check on that . Thanks once again gents, saved me from making another blunder and made my mind up for me. Medium sized locos from now onwards.
Keep in mind that the normal job of a 4-6-2 was hauling passenger trains. Yes, a few railroads used them for light, fast freight, but when one thinks "4-6-2," one thinks a 5-8 car heavyweight passenger train. If you want the 4-6-2 and passenger cars, cosider Athearn or the IHC 72 footers.
Gene
Gene, my theme is only freight. No passenger cars. What other loco would you suggest next after the 4-6-8? I am planning on buying two steamers, so any suggestions would be welcome. I would prefer a loco with good low speed control. I, at the moment have the Bachmann EZ command. So till i upgrade and am able to control the CV's for voltage and speed steps some good low speed steamers is what i am looking for. Thanks for your time.
DJP, I can say otherwise. I own a heavy mountain and I own one of the daylights.
They both can do 18"s, the 4-8-2 needs to have the tender connected throught the rear hole, but it'll do it. The 4-8-4 glides right through, it has lots of sideplay.
DJP, small, good current freight steam power:
Spectrum 2-8-0, 2-10-0
IHC 2-8-0, 2-8-2, 2-6-? (I can't remember if they have a Mogul or a Prarie) (Hold out for the new flanges)
BLI USRA light 2-8-2
Price wise, from lowest to highest: IHC, Spectrum, BLI
Gene
Thanks Gene for all that information and help you have given me. I will keep a lookput for the IHC engines and check out the Bachmann ones too. I will be asking you questions along the way if that's ok with you.
Quote from: SteamGene on August 27, 2007, 02:52:13 PM
Keep in mind that the normal job of a 4-6-2 was hauling passenger trains. Yes, a few railroads used them for light, fast freight, but when one thinks "4-6-2," one thinks a 5-8 car heavyweight passenger train. If you want the 4-6-2 and passenger cars, cosider Athearn or the IHC 72 footers.
Gene
Another Option for a more local passenger train, is the spectrum NYC heavyweights with 2 Axle trucks. A combine and 4-5 coaches. :D :)
GG,
He said he didn't want to run passenger trains! ;)
Gene
Right.... I knew that....
Just wondering if you have thought about running some of the smaller artics as I do. They work great on the smaller radius curves and as you are hauling frieght cars they should fit right in. The Bachmann 2-6-6-2 and the Mantua loggers could be a starting point. Cheers KiwiRob.
Hi Rob, i have the Mantua 2-6-6-2. Great little engine. So do you run the USRA 2-6-6-2 Bachmann engine on 18" curves? Read on some of your previous posts that you were having some drive problems. Glad you got it fixed. If you are running it on 18" curves could i trouble you to post a picture of it? Thanks.
Since both the front and rear engine of the USRA 2-6-6-2 swivel, it performs like two x-6-x's, just like the Rivarossi C&O H8. Now how GOOD it looks doing this is another matter.
Gene
Any idea on how the new 2-8-4 Berks from Bachmann will look and perform on 18" radius curves?
djp,
While the new 2-8-4 may run on 18" radius, it most certianly will not look good doing so. 2-8-4's have a 18' scale wheelbase and then a wopping 22' of firebox and cab behind that which will overhang on sharp curves.
Sheldon
Good grief forget it. It would probably look worse than my 2-10-2. LOL. I loved the look of the Berk and the price was equally good. Well i guess i'll have to stick to the smaller loco's. So far i have on my list
1] K4 4-6-2
2] 4-6-4 Hudson
3] 2-8-2 Mikado
4] 2-8-0 Consolidation
5] 2-10-0
I don't want anything smaller than that. Any more you can add would be highly appreciated. Low speed steamers. The slower the better. Out of these 5 i can afford to buy 3. My theme is freight. Whick one would you buy? All the pro's out there, your input would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
1] K4 4-6-2
2] 4-6-4 Hudson
3] 2-8-2 Mikado
4] 2-8-0 Consolidation
5] 2-10-0
I don't want anything smaller than that. Any more you can add would be highly appreciated. Low speed steamers. The slower the better. Out of these 5 i can afford to buy 3. My theme is freight. Whick one would you buy? All the pro's out there, your input would be highly appreciated. Thanks.
Okay, the K4 Pacific was a PRR passenger locomotive, not found on any roads but the PRR and some of its subsidiaries, most of whom had a Belpaire firebox like the PRR K4, so strike the K4.
The Hudson also was a passenger loco. The C&O tried to use their brand new Hudsons as freight locos when they went to all diesel passenger power in 1953. It didn't work out.
However, IHC is coming out with both the USRA light Mike and Pacific with new, small flanges. I'd recommend them, though as of now they don't have a front operating coupler.
The Spectrum Consolidation is a honey of a locomotive. If I were you, I'd spend my money on three of them and renumber two, or buy undecorated and letter them as you wish.
The PRR 2-10-0 was a large locomotive. If you mean the Russian Decapod, it's small and apparently useful.
Gene
Looks like i have a No.1 loco already. Spectrum Consolidation. ;D I will go for that as my first as i have heard everybody making a song and dance about that baby. So now i will keep a lookout for the USRA light mike and pacific made by IHC. Russian Decapod comes in at 4th place. [if finance permits] ;D