Several times before I have urged Bachmann to get more use from all their engineering by offering new locos using different boilers on their existing mechanisms. Recent posts have asked for a wagon top 2-6-0. I have converted the Bachmann mogul by using an old Spartan Series On3 boiler. It took a LOT of grinding of the weights, but Bachmann could offer the same simply by making smaller weights around the motor and popping on a new boiler. Presto, a different offering with the minimum of engineering expense. Similarly, the Forney could be made as an 0-4-4 by simply shortening the frame and tank. If they ever get around to building the much requested SR&RL prairie, the running gear could be used to market a mogul, 0-6-2, or 0-6-0, all in both tender or saddletank.
This would seem to offer the synergy of a much wider line at very minimal additional manufacturing cost.
View my conversions of the Forney and Mogul at
http://www.tradewindsvt.com/gallery/main.php/main.php?g2_itemId=1858
Dear Dave,
VERY nice!
Thanks!
the Bach-man
Please Bachmann.
Royce
I agree - excellent modeling, both for the motive power and the scenery. I would note the article in the latest NG&SL Gazette on the "Cold Water Brooks" moguls. I haven't scaled the drawings yet, but it looks like you could do one of the them over the basic Bachmann mogul mechanism with smaller drivers and a wagon-top boiler.