Bachmann Online Forum

I have been in the hobby for many years and I have several groups of train buddies I hang out with and visit several on line blogs.

I would like to see Bachmann or anyone for that matter produce an HO Southern Pacific AC9 "Yellowstone" 2-8-8-4. It is a very unique looking locomotive and SP is a very popular road. I think it would sell in N scale also! There are few pictures of the Prototype available, so many may not even know what it looks like. Is is the only AC series that IS NOT a Cab Forward! It has a "skyline casing" running the length of the boiler like the GS4 and also has a front pilot similar to the GS4 with double air pumps up front!

I would also like to see a 2-6-2T or a 2-8-2T in HO and in On30! Great for small layouts and logging or mining operations.

Another suggestion would be a 2-4-4-2 "Little River" in both HO and On30! A small mallet that almost everyone could use.

That's wishful thinking?

Well bachmann is doing a baltimore and ohio yellow stone ,mabey you could modify it . What I would like to see bachmann come out with is a 2-10-2 Baltimore and Ohio big six !

well given bachmanns dive into the large steam category with the EM-1, if it proves successful and markets right, you may see some more larger engines in the near future, whatever idea they come up with that'll sell most.


Big boys and Challenger and that ilk have been way overdone so you can definitely say they're out of the picture. You might see a yellowstone as well some more non-USRA mikes and pacifics, maybe even a hudson.

a B&O 2-10-2 is unlikely as it's been done over in brass and in plastic

a growing trend in locomotive sales lately is what's been popular in brass is now going plastic/diecast, errr going the way of the diesel so to say(brass diesel don't hold value normally once a plastic model of the same engine comes out)

a good example is the southern pacific 4-8-2 MT class athearn released, before you could only buy in brass, now you're not subjected to doing so

Small, small, small a thousand time small.  Suitable for the typical model railroad.

Why all this fuss of large engines when most of them look completely out of place on your typical model railroad?

What ever happened to tank engines? need some of those!

2-6-2T, 4-6-4T, a good 0-4-0T... DCC for these would be great.

a commuter engine would be just awesome like 4-6-4t or 4-6-6t they looked like baby hudsons

I would say a small 2-8-2.  With 54 inch drivers.

Good Afternoon all,

        Since Bachmann has already done a Pennsy K4,  then let them beat everyone else to the market(save for brass and Bowser) and do a Pennsy mike,  L-1.  I would also love to see an N&W 4-8-0.  In the On30 market I would love to see a 2-6-2T or 2-8-2T.

I am looking forward to the new Bachmann 2-6-0. Although it is not a Spectrum the detail level can always be enhanced. I have no need of any large engine such as the EM1, the layout is simply too small for such a brute.

I would request a new URSA Pacific, not all of us model the Pensy. Other than that an older 4-8-0 would be fantastic. I have pictures of the GN 4-8-0's servicing the coal mines in BC's Southern boundary. They were not that large an engine.

not to offend anyone whatsoever, but I'm kind of tired of seeing pennsy and USRA stuff come out to be honest I'm glad to see more and more different prototypes come out in plastic but I notice lately I've begun to like brass alot and been looking at more brass more than I ever have lately. I guess I just don't like seeing too much generic or mainstream stuff, I worship steam so it only makes sense to want unique locomotives to me

well, I like the Pennsy, I'd like to see a streamlined K4 Pacific, this should be easy since you already have the mechanism all you would need would be the shell, preferably die cast metal with your usual superb paint job, Mikado (not USRA) old PFM brass ones used to be a dime a dozen, but not any more, and Bowser has discontinued their kits so these are things of the past too and H series Consies, these would cover a lot of models because there were over 1000 of them on the PRR and several series (H7, H8, H9, H10 etc) several years ago Sunset ran these in brass with interchangeable tenders, smokebox fronts and other parts, allowing the modeler to mix and match, as the PRR did with the real ones, these were used throughout the system right up until the end of steam both as road engines and heavy switchers (the Pennsy only had 2, I think, 0-8-0s) so any Pennsy layout can use a hand full

with all the good stuff they already make, why not offer them in different roadmnames than the ones currently offered. this especially pertains to the diesels. examples would be gp40s in say illinois central, burlington, or b&o.

or how about a retooling of the gp50 to make an accurate model with the larger radiator screens?

or maybe a reissue of the u33b/u36b using the drive from the b23-7?

how about the same for the f9, using the f7 drive?

lastly, since athearn evidently no longer makes theirs, how about a cow and calf set of emd switchers. the tr5 (sw9 cow and calf) would be nice, or the tr2 (nw2).......

how about the norfolk and western K-3 4-8-2's? 3 railroads owned them namely N&W and D&RGW

"the Wheeling &Lake Erie purchase the M69 from the Rio Grande in 1948.   During  1926, the Norfolk & Western Roanoke Shops built ten White Class Mountain (assigning road numbers 200 through 209). The locomotives, designated Class K-3 by the N&W, but also called Water Buffalos by their crews, had 28 x 30 cylinders, 63" drivers, developed a boiler pressure of 225 psi and could exert over 68,800 lbs of tractive effort.  During 1945, four of the class were sold to the D&RGW who assigned them the class M69 (a reference to the rounded off 69 thousand pound of tractive effort they produced).  The locomotives were assigned to freight duty and were sold to the W&LE during 1948"

"Only" three roads?  It's better than that; there were ten such locomotives, and D&RGW only got six.  The other four wound up on the Richmond Fredricksburg & Potomac (where they weren't liked either, due to being too slow on that fast road, but it was wartime, you had to live with what you could get).  After the war, all ten were reunited on the Wheeling & Lake Erie, and at least some survived long enough there to be inherited by the Nickel Plate!

Some locomotive histories do get involved!

http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/nw-mailing-list/Week-of-Mon-20040531/000428.html

Quote from: J3a-614 on August 13, 2011, 04:49:26 PM
"Only" three roads?  It's better than that; there were ten such locomotives, and D&RGW only got six.  The other four wound up on the Richmond Fredricksburg & Potomac (where they weren't liked either, due to being too slow on that fast road, but it was wartime, you had to live with what you could get).  After the war, all ten were reunited on the Wheeling & Lake Erie, and at least some survived long enough there to be inherited by the Nickel Plate!

Some locomotive histories do get involved!

http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/nw-mailing-list/Week-of-Mon-20040531/000428.html

J3a you never cease to amaze me but this would be a perfect opportunity for a new loco

You want to know what's really weird about those engines?  They were considered failures by their original owner, and those shortcomings made them unliked by about all their subsequent owners.

The N&W built them for fast freight service, but they had counterbalance problems, due to smallish drivers for the speeds N&W needed for them (their replacements were the famous and successful Class A 2-6-6-4s); despite this, they did run on passenger trains in the early part of WW II, when the N&W needed anything that could do the job.  As it turned out, the A was a good passenger locomotive for heavy troop trains, so the engines became available, and that's how they wound up on D&RGW and RF&P.  They were somewhat outdated on the D&RGW by this time (the road already "graduating" to big Baldwin 4-8-4s and 4-6-6-4s), and were absolutely hated on the RF&P, which had a lot of hotshot operations behind a fleet of beautiful Baldwin 4-8-4s, a handful of their own 4-8-2s, some Lima 2-8-4s purchased under wartime restrictions, and a bunch of dual-service 4-6-2s (the RF&P, like the Florida East Coast it had indirect connections with, was a relatively flat road, and as I recall, was one of the few in the US to never roster a 2-8-2).  

It's some indication of their lack of popularity that they were only on their respective second owners' roads for the duration of WW II.  They wound up on the W&LE because they were available cheap; the road needed additional power in the postwar era, but the merger with NKP was already in the works (it would take place in 1948 or 1949--got to look that up), and the management didn't want to spend too much money on new power that would mostly work for the successor, so they went shopping, and brought home what the W&LE crews called the "Water Buffaloes."  They had a reputation for being cranky and cantankerous on that road (partially due to their age and wear by then), and that carried on into the NKP years.  I understand they didn't last but a few years after the merger, while a number of other older W&LE engines, including 2-8-0s, USRA heavy 2-8-2s, and USRA 2-6-6-2s all outlasted them.

Fascinating history for power that was considered a failure!

Now, the question is, does this justify Bachmann tooling up for a locomotive that numbered only 10 units, was considered a failure, and is rather obscure?

Yeah, no thanks on the K-3. You can get a brass one for  a decent price on ebay these days. They show up alot. My vote is for an N&W M 4-8-0.

My other vote would be for a 2 truck shay.

Not sitting around and waiting...I already bought a brass two truck shay and I'm saving for the M.

-Brad

Brad,

      Whatever you do,  when looking for the 4-8-0,  stay away from the one from Sunset.   It is beautifully done,  but low geared and does not pull worth a dime.  I had one for a while and on a flat track with good rolling cars it hauled about 8-10 cars.    On a grade of less than one percent,  that number of cars dropped down to about 4 cars.   BTW....the engine had decent weight.

ebtbob-

What about putting a larger can motor in the Sunset Mastadon?

                                                      -- D

EBT, what would happen with the Sunset model in a stall?  Did the engine slip, or did it just stop, without the wheels turning?  And was the low-speed performance otherwise good, i.e., would the engine creep nicely as we want them to do for switching?

A diesel: BL-2 or slug or cow/calf... funny... they all fit together. Cow/calf is like a switcher companion, which includes a slug of some king, and a BL-2 used slugs! :)

EBT Bob- This is very interesting to know! I have talked to many people about the sunset model and I have heard nothing but praise. What run did you own?

Re-motering would be an option but it would be a lot of work because of the lack of room(space is also an issue for a decoder install). Or I could contract the work out... = lots of money. I don't know if my skills are up to the task.

I've also watched for the PSC 4-8-0 M2c to be on sale online every once in awhile. They are expensive, but gorgeous locomotives.

It would be really nice if Bachmann would make one and save me the time and money.

-Brad

i wouldnt mind a couple 4-8-0's

Quote from: jettrainfan on August 14, 2011, 03:35:57 PM
A diesel: BL-2 or slug or cow/calf... funny... they all fit together. Cow/calf is like a switcher companion, which includes a slug of some king, and a BL-2 used slugs! :)

the calf unit is not like a slug. it is the switcher equivalent of a b unit.

bl2s have been put out by proto2000, i believe in several runs.

slugs, the problem with modelling slugs is that they are all custom built, and every road that operated slugs built them to different designs. they do make good kitbashing projects.

btw, the bl2 on most roads didn't last long. only on bangor & aroostook  and western maryland did they last into the 1970s and 1980s. and only the wm used them with slugs.

probably the simplest slugs to model would be the road slugs of csx. you'd take a bachmann gp30 or gp35, blank out all the air intakes and remove the radiator fans and, instant slug......

jward, That's actually a road slug, its like a cab unit. I see them on the yard transfers that pass through berea around noon on the CSX line, interesting units. Caught a pair being dropped off at collinwood about 3 weekends ago on a mixed freight.

How about a Southern Ps-4 or a 3 truck Heisler? (Specifically Cass #6)
Or even a re-release of the two truck climax WITH improved gears.
I very much approve of a N&W 4-8-0 being added to the range.

Good Morning All,

      Sorry for the delay in answering you questions.   I think I got my 4-8-0 when they were announced,  what 10-12 years ago?   My version would slip when to many cars were behind the draw bar.   I loved the way the engine looked,  but not pulling,  say 10 cars up my 1% or less grade,  did not set well with me.
       For those interested,  if you are wondering about the N&W 4-8-0,  there is one running on the Strasburg Railroad in PA.  Also,  here is a pic of an N&W 4-8-0 with the tender I am would love to see on a model from Bachmann.

Anything that's not an odd ball.  So no 4-8-0s or 4-4-2s or tank engines of any kind.  (Sorry guys)

Something that's not obviously a design of a particular railroad.  (No more Pennsy anything, or Sunset Limiteds etc., etc..)

Something that's not articulated.  (Way too many of them already)

Something that's not too big.  Smaller than say a 4-8-4 (No more 2-10-4 etc..)

How about a good quality generic looking, though it may be prototypical, 4-6-2 or even a 4-8-4?

A galloping goose, or other hi rail vehicle similar to it? that's not really been made (i know con-cor made a galloping goose earlier, but i found it for $200...)

Quote from: jettrainfan on August 26, 2011, 04:34:07 PM
A galloping goose, or other hi rail vehicle similar to it? that's not really been made (i know con-cor made a galloping goose earlier, but i found it for $200...)

MDC roundhouse made a 3 in 1 kit also, if you're talking On30 then sure maybe but HO and HOn3 have already been done.

a decent american mikado should be next at least

 decent American mikado.  Yes, but not a USRA design.

After the Mogul, how about a smallish Consolidation, one appropriate in size and detail to the same era as Spectrum 4-6-0 and the 4-4-0s? Yes, MDC/Roundhouse has done a small Consolidation for years, but for my money--literally--the Bachmann Spectrum engines look nicer.

Quote from: RAM on August 26, 2011, 10:05:45 PM
decent American mikado.  Yes, but not a USRA design.

definitely and not pennsy either

I think bachmann might go larger with steam if the EM-1 proves to be a success

Ram,

       I have a question for you and it is definetly not meant to be confrontational.   You said you would like to see an American mikado,  not of USRA design.
       Was there any other type made other than USRA that was not specific to any certain railroad such as a Pennsy L-1?

ebt-

Prior to the USRA, all locomotives were built to specifications set by the railroads. The various builders had "catalogs," but they weren't like a Sears catalog where you could order an already constructed item. They were more general in nature and the designs would be modified to satisfy the buyers' requirements (things like power needed, limits on wheel loadings, system pressure, types of appliances, fuel, speed requirements, cab style, locomotive's intended use and many others though these are pretty much the major considerations). None of this was centralized prior to the USRA. A couple of thousand steam engines were built under the USRA but the manufacturers and railroads were left to their own devices after the USRA was folded in 1920 or something like that. Essentially that meant that the situation was the same as before World War I with one big difference: the railroads found that the USRA designs were pretty good and a bit cheaper to build since they weren't one-of-a-kind items any longer. That meant that more steamers were built more-or-less to USRA standards after 1920. In fact, more locomotives were built to roughly USRA standards after the USRA was abolished than were built under the USRA. There were also lots of locos built to non-USRA standards, too, but the USRA designs endured. In fact, the last steam engines to be built (some 0-6-0s for the N&W I think) were built to USRA standards in the early 1950s. I may have the details mixed up on the last part of that but it's absolutely true that the last steam engines built in the US were basically USRA designs. That's quite a tribute to the USRA's work if you ask me.
                                                                                                    -- D

I think you will find that they were 0-8-0s

the valley railroad's mikado here in Connecticut along with the engine used in Emperor of the north would be an interesting mikado just a nice chunk harriman type. do something that's only been done in brass or not done at all.

I am  surprised bachmann didn't go with their own heavy USRA 2-10-2(one of the few USRA engines i do actually like, I just don't like w**t**rs version, the drawbar makes things difficult)

you also have the  NYC mikes with elesco's, LNE with franklin booster trucks on the rear of the tender, and the erie and lackawanna  mikes, there's a ton of non-USRA engines to be done, another USRA mike or pennsy mike would just make  me unimpressed


New haven and Boston & Maine 2-10-2's would be awesome!!!


norfolk and western 2-6-6-2's would  be pretty cool too, the DRGW had them too


or maybe DRGW m-78's or  M-75's? ;) ;) but i already have both in brass(yep you guessed it I got another brass engine on top of the one I own(it's addicting :-X ))

to add to my comment on brass, the only reason I'm buying brass is because there isn't anything unique anywhere else, but I'd still use bachmann mechanisms to power my brass regardless

Among 2-8-2s, the Harriman engine (and its passenger-service 4-6-2 counterpart) would fill in gaps in the model roster; both were used on roads beyond their immediate Harriman orbit.  As I recall, roads that used variations of both included UP, SP, IC, and the Alton.  There were some second-hand sales to short roads, too.  At least some of the Alton's engines may have worn B&O lettering for a while when that road controlled it.   A number of them survived into the merger with the Mobile & Ohio to become GM&O locomotives; there is at least one photograph, in color, of one of the 4-6-2s in a bright red paint scheme.

The Oregon, Pacific & Eastern engine from "Emperor of the North Pole" is actually a Baldwin logging mike, and would be another good choice.  An interesting aspect of these smaller logging mikes was that they usually had drivers in the 44-to-48 inch range; if I measured things right, a set of 44-inch drivers is what is under the Bachmann 0-6-0T.  They certainly are smaller than the 50-inch drivers used under USRA 0-8-0s made by Walthers and the 0-6-0s by Walthers and Bachmann.

The N&W 2-6-6-2s were copies of early C&O engines; the first fifteen even duplicated the valve gear (later engines had Baker).  The big difference was that the C&O later rebuilt virtually all their 2-6-6-2s with the "flying pump" look.  To get a pre-1930 2-6-6-2 on the C&O, and the engines used by several other roads as well, Bachmann could move the air compressors and associated plumbing to the left side (along with suitably modified running boards to accommodate this), and use a plain boiler front forward. 


http://www.railarchive.net/gmogallery/alton_steam.htm#selections

didn't someone kitbash a 2-6-6-2 into a norfolk and western engine on this forum?

That was GN 2-6-8-0; he made up a Southern Pacific MM-3.  These were two engines that originally had been owned by a company called La Verde Mining and Smelting, if my memory is right.  One of the two prototypes, late in its life, got a big 12-wheel SP semi-Vanderbilt tank, which also happens to be something Bachmann has, or at least used to have; don't know if they are still using it on certain engines.

Quote from: ebtbob on August 29, 2011, 08:36:47 PM
Ram,

       I have a question for you and it is definetly not meant to be confrontational.   You said you would like to see an American mikado,  not of USRA design.
       Was there any other type made other than USRA that was not specific to any certain railroad such as a Pennsy L-1?

The Great Northern 2-8-2 was quite distinct, having said that I think the USRA version would be a better choice as it would have the potential to cover far more railroads.

The USRA version would not be a better choice.  Sure a lot of railroads used them, but the market is already flooded with them. 

Quote from: Johnson Bar Jeff on August 29, 2011, 01:44:17 PM
After the Mogul, how about a smallish Consolidation, one appropriate in size and detail to the same era as Spectrum 4-6-0 and the 4-4-0s? Yes, MDC/Roundhouse has done a small Consolidation for years, but for my money--literally--the Bachmann Spectrum engines look nicer.

I was looking forward to a connie to add to my 4-6-0 and 4-4-0 roster.

I gave up on waiting and found there are plenty of the old early MA & PA Consolidation engines available in brass. I bought a couple, updated their open core motors to can motors and added DCC.

It was quite an easy job and now I have two connies with fantastic detail added to my small steam roster. I look forward to finding some early 2-6-2's and 4-4-2's to my steam roster as well.

How about this little guy?  http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=5374&ppid=1122&image=502827322&images=502827322,502827374&formats=0,0&format=0

That's an example of a Baldwin logging Mike, similar to the Oregon, Pacific & Eastern engine mentioned above.  Other examples include California Western's 45, and a pair of 2-8-2s on the Sierra Railroad.  There used to be many others.

and it looks alot like the engine we have working on the Valley Railroad here in essex, I would definitely pick up a few with sound. I'm already making plans to purchase a few of the moguls

I'd like to see the Maryland & Pennsylvania roster continued with a Consolidated with and without feedwater heater. Also the correct 0-6-0 with slopeback tender.

This thread has taken on a life of its own..."if wishes were wings..." OK, I'll put in my two cents: How about an early American 4-4-0 of the same quality as Bachmann's excellent modern 4-4-0? To model the Civil War, and late 19th century we are left with the less than desireable AHM/Pocher/IHC/Bachmann units (think: Jupiter). With the technological advances, and miniaturization, in today's market place surely we can do better. On the other hand this would be a small, niche market that probably wouldn't justify the expense. Oh well...

Regards,
Ray

That OP&E Mike--#19--has been back on the Yreka Western for many years ago.  It is presently  undergoinmg repairs at Yreka.  Sister #18 is at the V&T. in service.  gj

I agree with CNE that a Civil War-era 4-4-0 (the William Mason comes to mind) would be an excellent choice.  I'm sentimental for the early Ma & Pa 2-8-0's, which fit in better with the Richmond 4-4-0 and the 4-6-0, but would also be happy with the modern Ma & Pa 2-8-0's as well.  I also agree with the early comments on the thread about the need for a nice medium to heavy Mike.  A Harriman style would be a good alternative to the USRA locos, though my personal favorite is the B&O Q-4b. 

Quote from: ebtnut on September 08, 2011, 01:26:33 PM
I agree with CNE that a Civil War-era 4-4-0 (the William Mason comes to mind) would be an excellent choice.  I'm sentimental for the early Ma & Pa 2-8-0's, which fit in better with the Richmond 4-4-0 and the 4-6-0.

Both excellent suggestions!

Just a side note but not completely off topic

I was talking to a postmaster the other day while shipping out my sold items and he said hes heard that brass engines are really expensive, and I replied stating that my generation onwards would care less for such models and the price would soon diminish, simply due to video games and online media taking the world by storm. He asked if I was sure, then I told him about older generation brass and how cheap its become due to inflation and lower demand. What keeps bachmann progressively moving forward is it's quality and sound with digital command control competing against open frame coffee grinders modelled from engines of a previous century and I must say bachmann has surpassed many of my expectations in many ways with prototypes not produced anywhere else besides brass and I'm grateful. Now the alco 2-6-0 and the EM-1 are coming out, both a nice surprise and both never done nicely(or at all) besides brass while at the same time the quality and dcc added at a still lower cost compared to brass, I applaud you bachmann! and shall keep my fingers cross for the next exciting steam locomotive

rye-

You have some interesting points on loco prices, and brass in particular. Actually, it's only the older brass which is affordable today, though.

When brass made its big entry into the market in the late 50s and early 60s, the prices were anywhere from $50-60 all the way up to a couple of hundred. That was prohibitively expensive, especially on a teenager's nonexistent salary. Today those early locos mostly sell for $200 - $450, probably less than inflation, and I have a little more money so they have grown affordable. But, and this is a big BUT, high-quality new brass is very expensive. It's rare to see a completely brass current production loco for less than $1000 in HO and they can go much, much higher. And if that sounds outrageous, check O-scale brass! So they're unaffordable again.

I have found that good quality older brass locos which have been tuned by a former owner (just about always necessary in the old days) can be an excellent value. Also, a couple of manufacturers have "hybrid" locos which are a mixture of brass, die cast and plastic; these look pretty good to me. And I absolutely agree that the quality of plastic locos is worlds ahead of what it was even ten or 20 years ago. That's true both operationally and in appearance. So while I have a fairly large brass fleet, I mostly depend on the newer plastic locos for daily duties.

Thanks for your post.
                                                -- D

Quote from: Doneldon on September 09, 2011, 01:00:55 PM
When brass made its big entry into the market in the late 50s and early 60s, the prices were anywhere from $50-60 all the way up to a couple of hundred. That was prohibitively expensive, especially on a teenager's nonexistent salary. Today those early locos mostly sell for $200 - $450.

I can vouch for that. Literally--I'm not kidding--yesterday, I paid just above that lower end sum for a vintage brass engine (my second). Even now, I still had to justify the purchase to myself on the grounds that it was something I've wanted since I was a teen, a Gem NYC #999 4-4-0. I hope it can be brought into good running condition, though mainly it will be a display piece--and either way I'll be very glad to have it.

Incidentally, my first vintage brass engine, bought earlier this summer for a comparable price, was a Gem PRR D16sb 4-4-0--something else I've wanted since youth, with the added incentive that I used to ride behind the prototype on the Strasburg Rail Road when she was still operable.

My first brass loco was an Olympia Ma and Pa 4-6-0 (yes, the same prototype as the Bachmann model) for $29.95!  It ran quite well for a model with an open frame motor.  I was (and still am, to a certain degree) a big Ma and Pa fan.  At one time I owned every Ma and Pa brass piece, locos and cars.  Switched to On3 in the mid-1970's and sold almost all of it off.  Still have the Alco Models No. 6, which I had to almost toally redetail to make it correct.  Since I've joined an HO club (it is still On3 at home), I've started to assemble some more HO motive power, so now I have the Bachmann Ma and Pa 4-6-0, and both the No. 4 and No. 6 4-4-0's.  I also still have the original Westwood Ma and Pa passenger train from the 2-car kit that had the RPO and coach. 

Quote from: ebtnut on September 12, 2011, 01:42:40 PM
My first brass loco was an Olympia Ma and Pa 4-6-0 (yes, the same prototype as the Bachmann model) for $29.95!

:o  Thud!

(Recovers quickly from dead faint)

The Gem #999 arrived yesterday. She runs pretty darn good, and to my delight, it turns out that she has a working headlight--and the headlight actually works! The engine looks appropriate with a string of the Roundhouse-now-Athearn 50-foot Overland cars. Now all I have to do is find some with NYC lettering. (Somebody has a set listed on eBay right now for buy-it-now at $95, but those cars are not worth $95. I'm not "biting.")

The engine has an open-frame motor, and she would probably run a little better and a little quieter with a drop of oil here and there, but at the present time I do not have the nerve to try to figure out how to take her apart in order to get at the motor bearings. This is a used engine and it came without the original box or any original paperwork.

Same deal with the D16, except she did come in her original box. She ran a couple of feet on the layout and then came to a dead stop. I suspect she also only needs lubrication and breaking in, but, again, I'm afraid to try to take her apart. Right now she's resting in a small display case in the center of the dining room table, between Grandma's sterling candlesticks, where I can look at her over my supper every evening.  ;D

Someone has an Aristocraft FP #999 listed on eBay now, starting at $150. I don't know whether that engine is brass or not.

J-J

I'm pretty sure that the Aristo 999 is brass.

                                  -- D

My HO D&RGW 4-8-2 M-75 is probably the best brass I've bought to date, can take a 22 inch radius runs smooth(after I messed with the running gear some) weighs about 3 pounds(boiler filled with lead to the max) and I have yet to test it's pulling power. Miraculously my bridges can take it's hefty weight. Best $250 spent+details and some paint work. next will be adding a tsumani sound decoder