Actually Royce,
you are right on the money as far as a suitable locomotive for canefields, mining and light logging uses.
A pretty loco like this (and she is pretty) could be the new "Porter" for Bachmann
see her at: http://www.lmlr.org.au/locomotives/index.htm
Restored on the Lake Macquarie Light Railway in NSW Australia. 
regards
Geoff

Chatham,

another interesting loco in On30 would be the dinky little 20 ton Diesel loco built for Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Pennsylvania. It would be a great replacement model for the Davenport, and very simple to power as it had no visible motion.

This is a simple Whitcomb 0-4-0 DE with tons of character.

Track gauge: 2ft 6 inches    Wheelbase: 5ft Length over buffers: 14ft 11inches   Width overall 6ft   Height overall 8ft 10 inches Wheel diameter 33 inches.

Bethlehem Steel Corps No 21 was operated in California apparently. A good image appears on page 63 of "Westinghouse equipped Diesel-Electric locomotives 10 to 80 tons"" reprint of 1942 edition by Railhead Publications ISBN 091211309X circa 1980.

Other 20 ton 3ft gauge Whitcombs were operated by Bethlehem Steel, but I reckon this one 30 inch one has real potential and charm. I can find images on the web of similar Whitcombs, but not this one. If anyone has a photo they can post of this loco, that would be great!
regards
Geoff Potter

Chatham,

I would like to see Bachmann create an On30 ALCO 2-6-2 which could be built in a minimum gauge of 30 inches in reality. Don't know if any were actually built to 30 inches
http://narrowmind.railfan.net/262T-ALCo30-42.jpg

I think this would be a good small but chunky engine suited to logging and mining lines. It has character and is something a little different. It gets back to the idea of small locos that have wide appeal and many uses.

regards
Geoff Potter

Brokemoto,
I too had similar misgivings, but the friend (very knowledgeable in all matters model train-wise) assured me that the trains would not slip (true from the full day exhibition running of my narrow gauge layouts) and that crud wouldn't build up (this also seems true). The tiniest amount of graphite pencil is rubbed in one spot only on each rail. The graphite is then carried around the layout by the wheels. It is indeed a miniscule amount of graphite. The improved running qualities of the locos sold me. Maybe build a test loop and see what you think. All I can go on is my own experience with my On18 and On30 layouts,


cheers
Geoff

Brokemoto,
recently a friend showed me how to put a small swipe of graphite art pencil on track. The miniscule amount of graphite helps conductivity enormously. A small exhibition layout I own ran beautifully all day without a hitch using this method. I do like the idea of the plug-in boxcar (or water tank tender???) to aid conductivity
cheers
Geoff

Dear Bach-mann,
I really miss these wonderful little locos. How about an updated version? Also, selling the chassis for scratchbuilders in other scales (notably HOn30 and On18) would be a nice little earner for the company. Please consider,
thanks, Geoff

Guys,

I welcome this addition to the On30 range  ... my attempts to kitbash HO diesels to On30 never looked "quite right". The loco is a nice beefy industrial addition to the On30 range. It will look great with the industrial layouts I prefer.  The 50-tonner is similar to ones used by the Louisville Cement Company, and Eastern Sugar Associates in Puerto Rico. I can see a wide range of applications for this model. Porter, Vulcan and Davenport made similar locos used in steel mills, Navy yards, and no doubt in lumber operations. From the catalog pictures I found, you have done an excellent job of capturing the hood and grille feattures.

Thanks Bachmann, I think your new offering will be very welcome,

Geoff

Hi,

a Murphy roof is covered in flat metal sheeting. Discussion with links to more information has taken place on the On30Conspiracy yahoo group a few days ago.

I think there is a good photo in the Bachmann G scale boxcars of a Murphy roofed version,
regards
Geoff