1:29 with Bachmann Coaches

[Benjamin Maggi]

I am interested in modeling a standard gauge steam excursion train similar to the one run by the Arcade and Attica Railraod. Yes, it is the same railroad that uses the 44 tonners that I am working on. For the coaches, I wanted to use the Bachmann ones because I need open vestibule coaches, and though they should be steel-sided cars I cannot justify butchering an Aristocraft heavyweight. At least not now.

In addition, after looking for a good 4-6-0 or 2-8-0 to use as a standard gauge engine (The A&A owns one of each), I think the Aristocraft c-16 oil burner looks modern enough to fit the bill nicely. However, I will need to build a tender that hauls coal.

1. Can someone take a picture of a Bachmann coach NEXT TO some rolling stock that is 1:29 scale, or even better, next to a 1:29 figure? I am trying to see if the coaches doorways at the end and the window will look weird behind my 44-tonner.

2. But, will this engine look okay pulling the Backmann coaches, and standing next to the 44 tonner? What scale is the engine, 1:24 or 1:29, and will the cab look too big in 1:29?

Sorry about all the questions. I know it probably seems annoying to answer them all. THANKS for anyone who does!

[kstrong]

The Bachmann coaches are 1:22.5, and will be too large to look good with 1:29 equipment. Your better bet are the Aristo heavyweight coaches, or if you want something a bit older, perhaps the Aristo "Sierra" coaches or the Hartland long passenger cars. The Hartland coaches are 1:24, and were originally made by the same company that originally made Aristo's C-16, so they'll look great in a train. They should also look pretty good next to the 44 tonner, as the C-16 is a small locomotive.

 

Is the cab too large for 1:29? Probably, but it also depends on how committed you are to scale fidelity. The C-16 and the Hartland coaches will look funny next to the 44 tonner and the Aristo heavyweight cars, as they are different scales. (1:24 next to 1:29)

 

Later,

 

K

[GP-9_Man11786]

I run my USA 44 Tonner with Bachman coaches when the NW-2 is busy with frieght duties. It looks just fine. I usualy stick a boxcar in the consist for extra baggage.

[kstrong]

Just as a resource, here are the measurements of the Bachmann coaches, and how they scale to 1:29.

Length of carbody - 16.25"
Length of car including end platforms - 19"
Width of carbody - 4.125"
Height of carbody (to edge of roof) - 3.625"
Height of carbody (to roof peak) - 4.75"
Height of door on car end - 3.188"

Bachmann car measured at 1:29:
Length of carbody - 39.27'
Length of car including end platforms - 45.9'
Width of carbody - 9.97'
Height of carbody (to edge of roof) - 8.76'
Height of carbody (to roof peak) - 11.47
Height of door on car end - 7.7'

"Typical" dimensions of similarly styled prototype standard gauge passenger cars:

Length of carbody - 55 - 60'
Length of car including end platforms - 62 - 67'
Width of carbody - 10'
Height of carbody (to edge of roof) - 7.5'
Height of carbody (to roof peak) - 10'
Height of door on car end - 6'

Ultimately, the aesthetics of how something looks will be up to each individual. From a scale perspective, the Bachmann car is close to the correct width, but too tall to be close to "scale." Since we typically look down on our models, the excess height is diminished by perspective, so it's easier to accept. The length doesn't really come into play, since the B'mann cars are shortened anyway.

Bottom line--if it looks good to you, run it! Don't worry about what others think.

Later,

K

[Benjamin Maggi]

KStrong,

   Interesting that you posted that, as it is almost identical to a response I received on the Bachmann Forum for the SAME QUESTION! Were you the kind person who answered me there, or did you just cut and paste it over. Either way, thanks for helping me out. I think I will have to use Aristocraft Heavyweight cars, and just modify the vertibules.

[kstrong]

If yours was the question about the DL&W coaches, then yes, that was me--and I just copied what I wrote over there. If it wasn't that thread, then someone may have quoted what I had written.

Good luck with the conversion. I rode the A&A a few times when I lived in that neck of the woods, but certainly not as often as I should have--nor did I ever get down there to do any "serious" railfanning. (Strange, since it was only 45 minutes away.)

Do you know if they're working on getting their steamer up to FRA specs? Their website says it's inoperable at the moment.

Later,

K

[Tom The Brat]

And anybody who says, "That's a model of a narrow gauge coach and should be much smaller than..." is ignored