Hey all,

I have a quick question. I'm readying myself for a little kitbash project in Large Scale and I need to replace the smokebox front with a more detailed one. I was browsing the Bachmann Parts site and saw the C-19 smokebox front replacements.

How much to they measure in diameter? Real life measurements preferred, thank you.

Hey!! What about a "Left Handed" Shay!!?


And NO, this is NOT an altered photo!!

Hey, does anyone know when the new Porter locos are going to be released? I know they've been announced, but I do recall what the release date was. 

Well I've given it some more thought and I would REALLY like to see the Emma Nevada in On30.


Also I would like to see a Heisler, 2 truck preferably.
I wouldn't mind seeing a class B Dunkirk either! 

I would LOVE to see a Mason Bogie!! One of my favorite locomotives. However I wouldn't mind see this either. 



I think it'd make a nice companion for the OF 2-8-0.

I think this one would be more suitable for On30. 

http://www.steamlocomotive.info/onephoto.cfm?display=181&size=1024&submit=1024

Dear Mr. Bach Man,

This is a though I wished to share with you, for I think it deserves serious consideration. Although modeling narrow gauge is not as wide spread as those who model standard gauge, but it is still a rather large percentage of modelers. I myself toyed with the idea of modeling HOn3 because I am quite fond of narrow gauge and Colorado narrow gauge in particular. However as I explored what was available in terms of motive power for HOn3 I discovered that the choices are quite limited from a financial aspect.

Most locomotives are made of brass and thus cost a pretty penny. Some of the older brass models can be found for reasonable prices, but to my knowledge many of these models are either rare, out of production, or just plain hard to find. New brass models are often quite expensive. Also most brass HOn3 locomotives are DC and not intended for DCC operation. Thus the only option here is to hard wire a decoder into a relatively small model. This is not a huge limitation, however there are those who lack the knowledge or the time and materials to make the conversion.

What I am proposing is for you to consider production of an HOn3 portion of you already renowned Spectrum line. I have had the privilege of owning and operating both HO and On30 locomotives that are Bachmann products and have found little or no reason to be disappointed. As a side not I eagerly await the release of the improved On30 Porters.

Currently the newest locomotives in HOn3 are the new Blackstone models. They are very nice and I greatly enjoy their detail, but their price tag is a little too high for my comfort zone. For any HOn3 modeling I wish to partake in I have to look for the old MDC kits, which sadly are no longer in production. This is where I think that Bachmann Trains can fill a niche. You have already proven yourself to one of the leading model train manufacturers and are always pushing the bar for higher standards.

An HOn3 line would be wonderful because it would rest somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. If you were to release such a product line the models would no doubt be beautifully detailed and, at the same time, wouldn't cost an arm and a leg.

One locomotive I would love to see a model of is the Death Valley Railroad #2.



A Baldwin narrow gauge 2-8-0, inside frame, builders number 42864. (If I'm correct)
Perhaps an HOn3 version of the On30 Porter as well, just to give you a challenge!

And then there are the traditional Colorado narrow gauge prototypes, such as C-16s, C-18s, C-19s, C-21s, and C-25. K-27s, K-28s, K-36s, and K-37s. Or the Colorado & Southern narrow gauge locomotives. Or the Denver South Park & Pacific. Perhaps even the Denver Boulder & Western, the list goes on. And even with Eastern Narrow Gauge, there's the ET&WNC (Tweetsie) or the East Broad Top, the Quincy & Torch Lake, the Argent Lumber Co., ect... There are endless possibilities!!

I know that I am a single voice amongst thousands, but I do not speak for myself alone; but for many narrow gauge modelers who feel the same way. Again, this is just a though I wish to pitch to you and for your consideration. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter.

Sincerely, Andrew J. Davis.

I'm planning an interesting kitbash project for a 4-6-0 and I'm considering using the Bachmann 4-6-0 as the chassis. However the engine I'm trying to depict/portray has 44" diaeter drivers and the lead wheel diameters are 24".

Can anyone tell me what the scale drive wheel and lead wheel diameters for the B-mann 4-6-0 are?
Much Obliged in advance. 

Dear Mr. Bach Man,

As someone who comes and checks out this forum on occasion I have noticed a constant I see with every visit. On30 Modelers practically demanding a Heisler locomotive. I myself would like to see one as well, though I'm not holding my breath.

Perhaps the issue is decerning a prototype? Well there's the West Side Lumber Co.'s Heilser(s). The wood burning Heisler on the Sumpter Valley Railroad, but my preference would be this loco. http://www.steamlocomotive.info/onephoto.cfm?display=181&size=1024&submit=1024

Although it's 3ft gauge, its proportions make it look more of a smaller gauge loco. That and the fact that it has a wooden cab, something of an extream rarity that I have seen. Though in this case I would remove the cowcatcher if favor of a more traditional Heisler type pilot. I would like to hear your thoughts on this suggestion Mr. Bach Man. I feel that others would like this prototype as well. 

Yes I agree with you! The cowcatcher/pilot need to come off. Other than that I think this loco is the perfect prototype. 

I wouldn't mind seeing a Heisler myself in On30. I've drawn up a freelance, and blatantly unprotypical  , concept for one. I like thw WSL Heisler, but I think it's a bit "Steriotype" becuase whenever someone thinks od a Narrow Gauge Heisler, a West Side one is what people think of.

I am more in favor of a loco like this:
http://www.steamlocomotive.info/onephoto.cfm?display=181&size=1024&submit=1024

I think this prototype is practically screaming to become an On30 model. Not to mention her proportions look good for a 30" gauge model. (This loco is 3ft gauge if I'm corect) And this Heisler is one of the VERY select few with a wood cab. Now this is just my preverence. Whatever Bachmann does I'm sure we'll be happy with, or at least I hope.

Wow! This is VERY interesting timing! I was just fiddling with the idea of bashing an On30 C&S/RGS #74 the other day! It would save me a lot of trouble, that's for sure!
I do hope they make it. It is a decent sized locomotive, I'll admit, but I thyink it has attractive lines and it has a uniqueness to it.

I cannot describe how happy I am to see the Porters return. I love those little locos, not to mention I've been planning a lot of loco projects that use them as a base.

Did the 2-6-0 get an update like the Porter's? I wouldn't mind if it had no sound, but DCC Ready or Equiped would be nice.
Also, at the rate we are all asking for a Heisler I wouldn't be too surprised to see one soon. The WSL Heisler is a nice looking loco, but still a tad "modern" for my tastes. I'd like to have something similar to the "White Mountain Central's" Heisler.

http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/8/3/6/5836.1222474606.jpg

But with a wooden cab. (I think asking for fluted domes would be too much) 

If I recall correctly the first On30 loco bachmann produced with optional parts, included with the model, were the 2-8-0s. Almost every steam loco there after has had optional parts in one way or another. Except for the Forneys, I think thay come As-Is. but the 2-8-0, 4-4-0, outside frame 4-4-0, 4-6-0, and 2-6-6-2s all come with optiona parts. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Wow!    An Na or Hawiian style 2-6-2 would be a fantasic addition to the Bachmann On30 locomotive roster! Ever since I saw one of these locos I've been wanting one as a model. So much That i had tinkered with the idea of kitbashing one.

So I am in favor of Bachmann producing an outside framed 2-6-2 with all the features and interchangable parts that are now becoming the standard on their newer models.