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Discussion Boards => HO => Topic started by: Alex V. on March 10, 2007, 06:11:57 PM

Title: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Alex V. on March 10, 2007, 06:11:57 PM
How many of you guys want to see Bachmann produce a generic 2-8-2 Mikado in HO Spectrum?  Something to go along with the 4-6-0, maybe.  I'd like an 8-coupled loco for my pike, but the 2-8-0 doesn't really jump out at me.  Who's with me?  I know they're disgussing it on the 4-6-2 thread, but I thought I'd give it a seperate topic to itself.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Orsonroy on March 10, 2007, 06:29:49 PM
I would, but so long as it's NOT NOT NOT anything USRA (there are PLENTY of those on the market already!)

How about a Harriman Mike? Designed in 1906, they're anything but a USRA lookalike, and would satisfy SP, UP, IC, Alton, GM&O, and other proto modelers, while giving freelancers something new to use in their fleets.

(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/529/IC_1259.jpg)
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Virginian on March 10, 2007, 06:44:48 PM
What I would like to see is a separate board for all the "I wants".  But, I guess that's about as likely as B'mann satisfying a lot of these requests.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: lanny on March 10, 2007, 07:51:33 PM
I'm in total agreement with Orsonroy's suggestion. My layout would doubtless find room for 3 or 4 Harriman style Mikes, specially if they were of Spectrum quality.

lanny nicolet
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Hoople on March 10, 2007, 08:04:19 PM
Harriman mikes in SP and UP sounds fine n' dandy to me.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Nigel on March 10, 2007, 11:28:15 PM
Quote from: Alex V. on March 10, 2007, 06:11:57 PM
How many of you guys want to see Bachmann produce a generic 2-8-2 Mikado in HO Spectrum?  .....

There is an HO Spectrum 2-8-2 - the SY.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Orsonroy on March 11, 2007, 01:20:43 AM
Quote from: Nigel on March 10, 2007, 11:28:15 PM
Quote from: Alex V. on March 10, 2007, 06:11:57 PM
How many of you guys want to see Bachmann produce a generic 2-8-2 Mikado in HO Spectrum?  .....

There is an HO Spectrum 2-8-2 - the SY.

Nigel, that's like saying that Bachmann shouldn't have come out with a 2-10-2 because they already had the QJ. You know as well as anyone else that the SY is a CHINESE engine, and that we're talking about AMERICAN prototypes. While you CAN make the SY look "Americanish", you can't really turn it into a 1940s-1950s era US or Canadian engine (it's the drivers that do it in)
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: SteamGene on March 11, 2007, 09:40:12 AM
What Nigel is pointing out is the simple fact that a Spectrum 2-8-2 actually does exist.  It's possible that the original poster is not aware of this fact.  He did not indicate that the SY is a replacement for a Mike built in the U.S. between 1915 and 1940.
Gene
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: brad on March 11, 2007, 11:05:36 AM
NO,

I'd rather see a 2-6-0. 2-6-2, 4-6-2, high drivered 4-4-2 anything but ANOTHER Mikado, there's enough of them already.

brad
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Bill Baker on March 11, 2007, 02:46:27 PM
Count me in on another Spectrum 2-8-2.  I mentioned on another thread that I would like an Americanized 2-8-2 SY, but after seeing a picture of the Harriman that Orsonroy posted, I would definintely get a couple of those.  They are very beautiful and clean locomotives.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: wade on March 11, 2007, 04:09:43 PM
Well how about properly detailed to the transition era USRA mikes. They often look completely different than the stock 1918 originals. NKP H-5s and H-6s were technically USRAs but the pictures from the 40s and 50s make them look like a different animal . Or how about a B&O Q-4b. While they were only slightly larger than USRAs ,they were distinct in appearence and Bachmann already makes a vandy tender to match! Brad mentioned 4-4-2. That would be cool. Or how about a dutch (fat boilered, WM or RDG styled) 2-8-0 or 2-10-0.
Wade
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Orsonroy on March 11, 2007, 04:29:05 PM
Quote from: wade on March 11, 2007, 04:09:43 PM
Well how about properly detailed to the transition era USRA mikes. They often look completely different than the stock 1918 originals. NKP H-5s and H-6s were technically USRAs but the pictures from the 40s and 50s make them look like a different animal .

H-5 Mikes were anything BUT USRA engines! They were built starting in 1914 by the NYC out of NYC-designed large Consolidations. The NKP's 35 examples were some of the later (1917) engines built from the ground up. None of the NYC's Mikes, with the exception of the H-6 and H-9 series, looked anything like USRA engines.

As an example:
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/510/NKP_586_in_scenery-1_2_.JPG)
H-5 Mike to the left, H-6 to the right.

Unfortunately, we'll never see a road-specific later-period Mike, unless it's something like a Pennsu L-1 or an NYC H-10. USRA engines went through a LOT of changs over the years, changes that were too numerous and varied to make them cost-effective to do in plastic. That's why you have to "roll your own", like I do:
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/558/04_fireman_s_side_complete.jpg)
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: r.cprmier on March 11, 2007, 05:43:25 PM
While the SY is a mike, and that Bachmann did indeed produce it is a fact; it is a Chinese prototype-not an American; and an American prototype is what people would like.

I have built what could have been a small mike on almost any American standard gauge road out of an SY 9 (a lot of you have seen those pictures).  THis little engine had lent itself marvelously to my endeavour, but I think a mike might be  food for thought. 

On the other hand, BLI has a great USRA (heavens, that word...) light and heavy, that could lend themselves to a wide variety of adaptations.  To flood the market with what may be too many themes of the same kind might not be all that good a move.

RIch
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: lanny on March 11, 2007, 06:13:25 PM
Orsonroy,

You once sent me the name of a supplier of the NKP/ICRR style steam headlights, which I have subsequently lost or deleted ( the beautiful model of your NKP mike is a good example of that headlight).

What companies make them as super detail parts ... I need to stock up on several for my Spectrum 'kit bashes'.

Thanks!

lanny nicolet
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Alex V. on March 11, 2007, 09:31:13 PM
Gene,
   I had temporarily forgotten about the Spectrum SY, but it's still CHINESE!  >:(  For those who are good at modifying and superdetailing, then just buy an SY and "Americanize" it - but people like me, that aren't very good at heavily modifying models, need something that they can bring home and run without having to completely rebuild it first.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: RAM on March 11, 2007, 10:48:26 PM
The Santa Fe early 3100's would be a nice locomotive for a small layout.  I think they had 57 inch drivers.  The first group had high headlight. The next group had the center headlight.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: wade on March 11, 2007, 10:56:00 PM
Quote from: Orsonroy on March 11, 2007, 04:29:05 PM
Quote from: wade on March 11, 2007, 04:09:43 PM
Well how about properly detailed to the transition era USRA mikes. They often look completely different than the stock 1918 originals. NKP H-5s and H-6s were technically USRAs but the pictures from the 40s and 50s make them look like a different animal .

H-5 Mikes were anything BUT USRA engines! They were built starting in 1914 by the NYC out of NYC-designed large Consolidations. The NKP's 35 examples were some of the later (1917) engines built from the ground up. None of the NYC's Mikes, with the exception of the H-6 and H-9 series, looked anything like USRA engines.

As an example:
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/510/NKP_586_in_scenery-1_2_.JPG)
H-5 Mike to the left, H-6 to the right.

Unfortunately, we'll never see a road-specific later-period Mike, unless it's something like a Pennsu L-1 or an NYC H-10. USRA engines went through a LOT of changs over the years, changes that were too numerous and varied to make them cost-effective to do in plastic. That's why you have to "roll your own", like I do:
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/558/04_fireman_s_side_complete.jpg)

I thought H-5s appeared to have different dimensions than H-6s but I couldn't find It in writing. They would seem to be ideal canidates for the the next mass produced  mikes as they were a NYC design. And I have to disagree with you about not seeing a mass produced late period mike. The Ma & Pa 4-4-0s and 4-6-0 are extremely specific and yet they seem to have sold well. You have done an excellent job of detailing. At some time in the future I would like to get into that but many other things need done first. The 4-4-2 idea Brian mentioned would be cool in W&LE but they were gone before the transition era - I would buy one anyway.
Wade
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Alex V. on March 14, 2007, 11:09:38 PM
Bump.  8)
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Paducah Style on March 18, 2007, 08:14:19 PM
Contrary to the comments about there being too many Mikados out there on the market, I can only conditionally agree.  Without a doubt there are too many USRA designs out there (Trix, Athearn, BLI, old Bachmann, et.al.)!  The Harriman design, as was pointed out nicely by Orsonroy however, has been conveniently ignored.  From a purely UP and SP perspective, that's nearly impossible to fathom.  Obviously those two roads are sentimental favorites to alot of modelers who, I'd venture to guess, would be glad to populate their rosters with that design.

For us Illinois Central guys, that design is critical for an accurate rendering of the ICRR under steam.  That road, alone, rostered several hundred of that style (and no USRA models!).  How manufacturers make the argument to keep cranking out 4-8-8-4s and the like, while ignoring such a prototypically popular design as the Harriman-style 2-8-2, is one I suppose only the Bach Man can shed light on!!  

Brad
Modeling the Illinois Central in Bloomington and Normal, Illinois

P.S. That's not a dig on Bachmann, by the way.  They at least had the foresight to lead/drag the rest of the industry into the world of affordable, quality plastic steam locomotives so those of us that aren't burdened by heavy bank accounts can still enjoy the "glory" days of railroading.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Jake on March 18, 2007, 08:54:17 PM
Quote from: Orsonroy on March 10, 2007, 06:29:49 PM
I would, but so long as it's NOT NOT NOT anything USRA (there are PLENTY of those on the market already!)

How about a Harriman Mike? Designed in 1906, they're anything but a USRA lookalike, and would satisfy SP, UP, IC, Alton, GM&O, and other proto modelers, while giving freelancers something new to use in their fleets.

(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/529/IC_1259.jpg)

I'd buy that! Along with the SY. ::)
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: lanny on March 18, 2007, 10:45:20 PM
Hey Brad!

Great to see you on board! This is a great forum! Welcome to another 'die-hard' ICRR steam guy!

lanny nicolet
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: pvt64 on March 19, 2007, 10:15:48 AM
I'd love a PRR L-1.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: rallygsc on March 20, 2007, 03:33:45 AM
Hello Everyone  ;D

a 2-8-2 would be nice, there is some alternatives on the market but they are kinda high for some of us operators.

also how about a a nicely priced 2-8-4 :)

I am a Nickel Plate fan, and I would like to see someone other than Walthers or Rivarossi producing a nice 2-8-4

take care
George
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: SteamGene on March 20, 2007, 08:16:40 AM
I don't know about Nickle Plate, but brass C&O 2-8-4s are not very expensive.  Check e-Bay or swap meets.
'Gene
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: pdlethbridge on March 24, 2007, 03:16:49 AM
How about a generic Maine Central mike?
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/pdleth/614.jpg)
(http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u134/pdleth/607.jpg)
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: SteamGene on March 24, 2007, 04:17:01 PM
That's a nice looking locomotive and doesn't shriek any one particular railroad.  How's this for a plan?
Something like this basic locomotive with some spare parts - pumps to mount on the pilot deck or side, top, center, or low mounted headlight, feedwater heater and pump to add.  All that might add $5 to the price, but look at the possibilities of detailing the locomotive.  I notice it has Delta trailing trucks....
Gene
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: r.cprmier on March 24, 2007, 05:17:39 PM
Gene;
IF I miss my guess-Cal-scale parts?  Add five dollars?  For all of that?   Where?  I wanna shop there, too.
If you are perhaps inferring that they might include the parts, I am of the opinion that it would not behoove them in any way.  Besides, I think brass parts-with their higher resolution-are a bit better than plastic, even though plastic is going to be an easier proposition.

Rich
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Scott S on March 25, 2007, 12:02:22 PM
Rich -

Regarding -
>If you are perhaps inferring that they might include the parts, I am of the opinion that it >would not behoove them in any way.

Is there not already precedent? I believe the undec 8-40CW comes with 3 cabs. (Diesel I know,  but the same idea). Some of the steamers, such as 4-6-0 come with a set of alternate tender trucks. It is a bigger step I agree to include other detail parts, particularly in the case of a headlight if it is to be operational. In this case the vendor would probably have to design the model to accommodate the option (to meet the expectations of non-expert modellers).

Nitpicking on grammar- *you* are inferring - from what Gene wrote; Gene was *implying*.
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: jon grant 4472 on March 25, 2007, 04:37:11 PM
I agree that a non-USRA 2-8-2 would be a good option.

Jon
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Scott S on March 25, 2007, 06:02:54 PM
I would love to see something that could be a NYC H-5. Also their H-10, larger than the USRA and again, like H-5, with the much less tapered boiler than the USRA design (H-6 on the NYC).

Quote from: wade on March 11, 2007, 10:56:00 PM

I thought H-5s appeared to have different dimensions than H-6s but I couldn't find It in writing.

Dimensional data on all the variants  on the NYC and subsidiary B&A are in
Steam Locomotives of the New York Central Lines, Volume I, parts 1 & 2, compiled by William D Edson and H.L. Vail, published by The New York Central System Historical Society, 1997. (The Big Four, Michigan Central and others should be covered in Volume II)

As already stated, the H5 were rebuilds of the G5 class consolidations, or new machines built to the same specifications. Diagrams in the book show the difference in the boilers - the H5 had about 85 1/2  inches at widest, the H6 90 inches, while at the smokebox, the H5 boilers were 80 inches, the H6 76 5/8.  The smokebox front of an H5 was 84 5/8 and the front of the H6, 79 inches. Weight for the H5 ran from 275000 to almost 300000 lbs - that is, just shy of the H-6 at 300500 pounds (but that range for the H5 may be due to added boosters, which add 20000 lbs to the quoted figure for the H6 as well). Driver size was the same, but overall wheelbase was a little longer for the H6 than any H5 due to pilot and pony moving further out from the drivers and the drivers being 1" further apart for the H6.

The H10 was 40000 pounds heavier than the H6, and looked it. While the wheel base was only  4" longer (all in the pilot wheels being 4" further from the drivers, due I guess to the eight foot depth of the smokebox, compared to a couple inches shy of 7 feet for the H6 and five and a half feet for the H5.) the diameter of smokebox and boiler were larger: 871/2 inch smokebox, boiler from 84 1/2 inches at smokebox to almost 891/2 at firebox. Again noticeably less taper than the USRA's 131/2 inches.

Here is what I believe is an H-5e:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc-s1222s.jpg
Here's an H-10:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc-s2127ahv.jpg
and another from the other side:
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/nyc/nyc-s2154o.jpg
What plumbing! These might have been a steam fitters' nightmare
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: SteamGene on March 25, 2007, 06:09:38 PM
Rich,
I was not thinking Cal Scale.  I was thinking plastic from molds that mostly already exist.   Major missing component would be feedwater heaters and their pumps. 
Gene
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: wade on March 27, 2007, 04:44:37 PM
Scott, Thanks for the information. I thougth Bowser had produced an H-5 . I could be mistaken. Does anyone know?
Wade
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: SteamGene on March 27, 2007, 10:14:07 PM
AFAIK, Bowser has done the PRR Mike (L-1?) and the USRA light.
Gene
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: Orsonroy on March 28, 2007, 11:12:12 AM
Quote from: wade on March 27, 2007, 04:44:37 PM
Scott, Thanks for the information. I thougth Bowser had produced an H-5 . I could be mistaken. Does anyone know?
Wade

Gene's right: Bowser has only done the USRA light and the L-1 (they've got the Cary USRA heavy boiler, so I suppose you can count that too).

But NO ONE's done an H-5 besides Overland. I know; I'm modeling the NYC (P&E) and NKP in the 1940s, and need a few. What's below represents a HUGE chunk of my hobby budget over the past decade!
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/NKP_H-5_s_3_.JPG)

These things are rare and expensive. From what I've heard, only 225 were ever made in the early 1980s, and they're lusted over by most HO scale NYC and NKP modelers. It took me five years to find my three!

I'd absolutely love it if someone came out with the H-5 in plastic, almost as much as I'd enjoy seeing the Harriman Mikes. I'd rather they were NOT released by Proto though; their models are too expensive, don't pull well, and aren't released often. Bachmann would be perfect: I'd be willing to sacrifice some fine detailing for a solid, reliable, affordable, and AVAILABLE engine!
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: lanny on March 28, 2007, 04:09:14 PM
QuoteI'd be willing to sacrifice some fine detailing for a solid, reliable, affordable, and AVAILABLE engine!

Sorry about this Gene, but I have to again say 'yes indeed' to Ray's comment (for the 405th time now, I think! Let's have some Spec Harrimans!   :D

lanny nicolet
Title: Re: Would you like to see a Spectrum 2-8-2!
Post by: wade on March 28, 2007, 05:12:22 PM
Quote from: Orsonroy on March 28, 2007, 11:12:12 AM
Quote from: wade on March 27, 2007, 04:44:37 PM
Scott, Thanks for the information. I thougth Bowser had produced an H-5 . I could be mistaken. Does anyone know?
Wade

Gene's right: Bowser has only done the USRA light and the L-1 (they've got the Cary USRA heavy boiler, so I suppose you can count that too).

But NO ONE's done an H-5 besides Overland. I know; I'm modeling the NYC (P&E) and NKP in the 1940s, and need a few. What's below represents a HUGE chunk of my hobby budget over the past decade!
(http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/data/500/NKP_H-5_s_3_.JPG)

These things are rare and expensive. From what I've heard, only 225 were ever made in the early 1980s, and they're lusted over by most HO scale NYC and NKP modelers. It took me five years to find my three!

I'd absolutely love it if someone came out with the H-5 in plastic, almost as much as I'd enjoy seeing the Harriman Mikes. I'd rather they were NOT released by Proto though; their models are too expensive, don't pull well, and aren't released often. Bachmann would be perfect: I'd be willing to sacrifice some fine detailing for a solid, reliable, affordable, and AVAILABLE engine!
Thanks for more great information.Brass only-225 of them. Come on Bachmann, help us out! NKP and NYC are both rather popular! I shouldn't be greedy. Thanks again Bachmann for the 2-8-0s, the 2-6-6-2s, the loggers and especially the Ma&Pa engines.
  I found some additional information on the NKP H-5s. Nickel Plate Magazine, produced by the Nickel Plate Road Historic and Technical Society, Spring 2006. Being a member usually I read them pretty quick but this one got buried in the workshop. Its disapointing to read how close to being saved the 524(965) was but still got scrapped.
  Wade