Hey there everyone,
I've been collecting large scale Thomas models since 2010 with my first product being the large scale Thomas, Annie, and Clarabel set.  I've got probably just a small handful of the models from the range and also models from Bachmann's Big Hauler and Spectrum ranges.  I've also got a few Lionel, LGB, and Aristo Craft models as well.  Just last winter my collection of large scale trains expanded so much that I actually built a shelf layout for around my room.  The shelf itself is done, but I still need to get more track to finish building the layout around it.  I also upgraded from steel alloy to brass track.

Although I can't show everything I have at the moment, here are a couple of the Thomas models I have in my collection.  You'll notice I have switched from hook n' loop to Bachmann knuckle couplers to make my Thomas models compatible with other models in my collection.  Questions and comments welcome.






-Rusty

Really this is a post I've been wanting to make for a while, so here it goes.  I can honestly say that I do not see Gordon and/or Henry having much of a chance in large scale.  My reason for this all comes down to 1 word.  "SIZE"  The models are just too big and that effects their chances of being made in 2 ways.  Performance and cost.  I think most of this can just be summed up by explaining dimensions and prices of existing models.

I think Bachmann's choice to make Emily can tell us a lot about what would happen if Gordon and Henry were to be made.  To start off, Emily is the largest engine in the range.  As I have her in my collection, I know that the model is roughly 27" long with a wheel base length being roughly 14 1/2".  Now when I measure James, (who is the second biggest model in the range) he is roughly 21" long and has a wheelbase roughly 10 1/2".  If you want to take this a step further, my Bachmann 4-6-0 locomotive is about 30" long and has a wheelbase length of about 12 1/2".  Keep in mind that all wheelbase measurements are locomotives only and don't include the tender.  To paint the bigger picture here, Emily herself has a longer wheelbase than that of Bachmann's 4-6-0 locomotives.

Now because of Emily's size, Bachmann had to alter her chassis and mount both the front and rear axles on pony trucks.   The tender coupling also has it's pivot point right behind the driving wheel and there are 2 holes in the coupler to allow the tender to be spaced further back from the locomotive.  It's pretty clear these changes were made so that Emily could run on tighter curves.  I'm sure that most modelers out there who got into Large Scale Thomas models when they first came out purchased the Thomas and Percy sets.  Sadly these sets come with 4' diameter steel alloy curved track.  If Emily's chassis had not been modified the way it was, she would not be able to negotiate those curves.

The same issue would come up with Gordon and Henry.  Both models would have a wheelbase length being longer than that of Emily's, and with very little room to modify the chassis.  The overall length of the models would not help matters either.  Personally I don't see Bachmann wanting to bother with modifying Gordon and Henry to work on 4' diameter curves.  More than likely the models would require larger radius curves which are only available in brass track which cost more than steel alloy.  That being said, I can assure you that no one is going to go out, buy new track, and start a new track system just to run 1 or 2 models.

As for prices of the models, it's pretty simple.  If Gordon and Henry were made, their cost would be too high for a lot of modelers out there.  Bigger models cost more to make, and therefore have a higher price tag when they become available.  Being that Emily is already $429 and considering that Bachmann's 4-6-0 models hover around the $475 range, Gordon and Henry could be anywhere from $500-$550 if not more.  Not everyone has that kind of money and it limits the number of sales.  Keep in mind that over the years prices on Bachmann models have gone up and will continue to do so.

So my final thoughts on Gordon and Henry being made in large scale is this.  There just isn't enough positives with the models.  Based on the information I've seen from previous Bachmann products, I could honestly see characters like Rosie, Mavis, or even Arry and Bert having more of a chance than Gordon and Henry.  Like I said before, size plays a big factor in a model being made and I know for a fact that's why we got Winston over an actual locomotive.  And no, I don't consider Winston to be a locomotive because he is clearly referred to as a track inspection car.

I'm not trying to sound negative, but if Bachmann is going to produce anything in large scale, it's more than likely going to be models with simple or existing toolings, or in the case of what we got this year, existing models with new features.  If Bachmann were to do a larger model, it wouldn't be a character any bigger than James.  Within the last 2-3 years, Bachmann's large scale announcements have been pretty much nothing but recolors with the exception of Winston and the Ice Cream Wagon.  Personally I feel that if we were to get any model(s) in large scale it should be Edward and Henrietta, but that's a discussion best left for another day.

-Rusty

Hey there,
Since someone has made a topic for this particular Bachmann product, I'd like to make a post about it as well.  I've kind of been interested in getting one of Bachmann's rail trucks for my collection, but I've been looking for the red and black one.  As it always goes for me, I'm after stock that has been discontinued.  I'm finding every color of truck online except for the one I want.  Any idea's when Bachmann introduced the rail truck in large scale and when they stopped making it?

-Rusty

Hey guys,
I've got another question in relation to another locomotive.  I didn't want to post another thread, so I figured I'd ask in an existing one.

I noticed that Bachmann's Lyn locomotive (item number 91196) was not in the 2016 catalog.  Does this mean that Bachmann has discontinued it?  This is the one I am referring to.



-Rusty

I'm happy to announce that I received all my passenger cars this week.  The D&RGW baggage car had to have the bathroom wall put back in, new couplers added, and I still need to order a new railing and break wheel for it, but overall was very good for the price I paid.



The D&S passenger cars were pretty good overall.  I had to do some soldering to the North Star to get the lights working properly and also had to replace a damaged knuckle coupler.  The Alamosa had a bad bulb in the roof, so I pulled the one out of the back of the car for now and will order a new one later on.  I also have to replace a missing break wheel on the car.  Both cars were dusty and dirty and looked a lot better after they were cleaned. 




I took the time to get some photos of everything today.  Since I already have D&S Locomotive #179 from the D&S freight set, I'll be using it with this train.







Since the D&S cars came in a set from eBay, I also got a few extras with them.  Locomotive (#177) is in rough shape with a broken and poorly reglued cowcatcher, missing parts, but does run.  A lot of steel alloy track (21 curves, 17 straights) was included, but I don't care for this kind of track and have upgraded to brass track.  Also a power pack and 1 amp speed controller, connection wires, and power connectors were included.  All this is going to be sold since I can't use any of it.





Once again I'd like to thank everyone for their help and I'm really glad to finally have these D&S cars in my collection.  It's taken me a couple years to get them, but it was well worth the wait.  Again, thanks everyone.

-Rusty

The only problem I see with upgrading to 8' curves is going to be the price, but I can see where replacing 4' curves every few years would cost more.  Then I've got the cost of replacing train wheels on top of that.  Either way, the layout I currently have is only a small 6x9 nailed to the floor in my room and its not really much a layout anyways.  Needless to say, this thread has got my thinking a lot more of building a new layout than it has me going and buying a caboose.  I've been collecting large scale since 2010 on and off and even though I've been doing it this long, I'm still very much new to the hobby.  Really appreciate all the advice I'm getting here.

-Rusty

Quote from: Loco Bill Canelos on February 01, 2016, 04:26:10 PM
Unfortunately the Porter coupler is not available in the parts store.  You might be able to in some way use the standard Bachmann 1:22.5 coupler which swivels just like the porter coupler, but you would have to deal with a way to hold the centering spring in place.  There is also a coupler with a coupler box and spring you may be able to adapt. These couplers can be found in the "universal parts" area in the parts store.  As Chuck N says there is often a problem with coupler heights.   Since you have both scales I am sure you have run into height issues before.

Bill,
Are you saying that the Porter couplers would make the caboose compatible with tighter radius curves?  If that's the case and I can't get them separately, I could possibly machine some out of aluminum that would fit on the caboose and also be at the correct height.

-Rusty

Hey again,

Quote from: Chuck N on February 01, 2016, 10:34:36 AM
What cars and engines are you going to run with the long caboose?  It is a Spectrum model that is 1:20.3.  It will look very large if you are running it with Big hauler rolling stock.  Those are 1:22.5/24.

I do in fact have a few Spectrum products so size is not an issue for me in terms of what I'm running it with.  In terms of what I'm running it on, you and the other Chuck both made a point to put regular trucks on the model which is what I may end up doing myself.

Something I wanted to show everyone was the Bachmann Porter locomotive I have and something I've noticed with it.  If you look at the photos I've supplied, it too has body mounted couplers, but works on the 4' curves when hooked to rolling stock with truck mounted couplers.





Considering the back of the model swings out quite a bit and that there is enough pivot in the couplers to prevent any issues, can the same thing be said for the long caboose?  I am very much aware we are dealing with 2 different sizes of models here, but it's just a thought.

-Rusty

Hey there everyone,
I'm looking to purchase yet another piece for my large scale collection, this time being the Bachmann long caboose model number 88799.



I'd like to purchase this piece because I feel its more eye-catching than the bobber caboose that I currently own.  However, one thing about the model concerns me and I'd like to get a few options and ask questions before I purchase it.

One of my biggest concerns is how well will the model work on 4' diameter curves?  Bachmann says it preforms best on 8', but my layout has 4' as well.  Bachmann's features on the product state and I quote "die-cast scale knuckle couplers (body-mounted coupler pockets for wide radius use only)".  So does that mean the couplers require the model to be run on 8' diameter curves?  I was wondering if this issue can maybe be gotten around if you have the caboose hooked to anther piece of rolling stock that has the coupler mounted on the trucks?  Has this ever been tried before and does it work?

Another question I had with the model is how good is it?  I've seen reviews on the model and it is highly detailed both inside and out.  What really pulled me into wanting it was the interior.  If I were to point out what draws me in the most, it would have to be the kerosene lamps.  Does anyone else have this model?  If so, can you share your thoughts about it?  Wouldn't mind seeing some photos as well.

Thanks,
Rusty

Good morning everyone,
I'm happy to announce that I snatched up the Durango & Silverton passenger set along with some extra track on eBay last night in auction for $135.  The locomotive has seen better days, but the passenger cars are in like new condition with the exception of 1 light not working.  My plan is to keep the cars and sell the locomotive and track.  Here's a couple pics.




Also earlier in the week I snatched up a Denver & Rio Grande Western baggage car at a buy it now.  It's missing 1 of the railings and needs some new couplers, but at $30, how could you go wrong.  Here it is as well.



I'll make another post once everything arrives.  Thanks for all the advice and helpful comments.  I especially want to thank Bill for the tip he gave me about setting up a search on eBay.  Definitely helped me out a lot.

-Rusty

I really don't need another D&S locomotive.  Maybe for the right price.  I've upgraded to brass track instead of the steel alloy that's included in the set, so if I were to get the set I'm left with a locomotive and track that I really have no use for.  I think I'm better off trying to get the cars separately, but at the same time I probably wouldn't want to let the set slip by if it happens to pop up.

-Rusty

Hey Chuck,
I've seen the Durango & Silverton LGB cars on eBay, but they want $250 for it.  The D&RGW cars are plentiful though and are hovering around the $70-$100 mark.  If I can't get the D&S ones by Bachmann, I'll take your advice and see if I can decal some other ones.

-Rusty

Hey again,
Thanks for the reply.  I think the best bet is to go with what Bill suggested and hunt them down on eBay.  It may take a while, but as he said, "Patience will be rewarded down the line."

I think it was back Christmas of 2012 when I got the Durango & Silverton freight set.  Other than the black and yellow (Bumble Bee) paint scheme, I don't think there was any particular reason I got the set.  Shame I didn't get into large scale sooner, but hopefully I can get the matching passenger cars to go with this set sometime in the near future.





-Rusty

Hey guys,
I've been looking for Bachmann's Durango & Silverton passengers cars Alamosa and North Star.  The cars I'm looking for are pictured below.



After researching Bachmann's large scale products, I found that all their D&S stock has been discontinued other than the fire suppression tank car.  Since that was the case, I also looked through their passenger car and train set selections, but there's really nothing there.  eBay hasn't really been that reliable either.  Does anyone know where I could find these 2 cars?  I have looked other places online and everyone seems to have the D&S passenger set, but it's since long been sold out.  Any help would be very much appreciated.

-Rusty

The USA trains one looks good, but a little pricy.  Might be able to find it cheaper as a used unit.  I'll see what I find.

-Rusty