Hi,
I recently read that an HO 0-8-0 or 2-8-0 (?) loco was patterned after an Illinois Central prototype. Blaming a very full "hard drive", I can't recall who makes the loco or where I read it.
Can anybody help here???
Its been a long/difficult week!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mobilman,
Proto 2000 makes a fabulous 0-8-0. I don't know how close it is to an IC 0-8-0 though.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Mobilman,
Yes, the Bachman 2-8-0 Consol is from an IC Protoype.
Check this out.....
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ic/ic-s733bsw.jpg
There's another photo from one of the Kalmbach books of an IC 2-8-0 unloading a cut of cars from a Missisippi ferry boat.
Those of us who model other roads (I'm into the WM), know the Bachman 2-8-0 is a great stand-in but not the real McCoy.
The Bachman models a Baldwin 2-8-0 but with certain modifications (Being both from Philly). Now....the cylinders, stack, and some of the piping are different here, but this photo is the only one I can find with a 5 min search that looks very close. I'm not real familiar with the IC's steam classification system but I'm sure others on this site would perhaps, know.
Also, this topic has been discussed on other threads but I can't seem to make the search engine produce them.
Hope you have an easier Thanksgiving!
Mark Wallace
Collegeville, PA
The only quality IC 2-8-0 on the market is the Bachmann Spectrum model, since it was based on the MR plans for the prototype engines as well as the brass version mentioned above.
The Bachmann model represents the IC's 943-series engines (NOT the 700 that has a photo link above; that engine is MUCH smaller), which were delivered in 1909. During WWII some of the engines were scrapped, and the remaining ones were turned into either the 3950-series 0-8-0s or the 900-series 2-8-0s. Both engine classes lasted until the end of IC steam in 1960.
One note about the brass model: it sucks. Really. Stay FAR away from them. The Bachmann model, which has been "genericized" by removing a few IC-specific details, is far and away a MUCH better model. The brass model (and I've tinkered with a couple of them) runs horribly, is detailed worse, the driver tires slip off, the gears strip, etc ad nauseam.
Fixing the Bachmann model to look like the IC engines is pretty easy. I've done one and have talked three other modelers through about a half dozen others. Head over to the HO section of the Bachmann forum for detailed instructions and photos, and feel free to contact me offlist for any information you might want.
I and a few other IC steam modelers are planning on figuring out how to stretch the Bachmann 2-8-0 into a 2-8-2, since their core dimensions are very similar (the drive train and the front of the boiler are exactly the same).
Ray Breyer
Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943
Thank You!!!
I have one for the ATSF, and added a couple of items to make it more passable.
Also, I am "98% sure" that what you wrote is what I just read the other day. But for the life of me I can't find that reference again. As I get all the train mags, it could be in an MR or RMC or Scale Rails or the RR in WWII or ??? I sure wish I could find it, cause I'm starting to question my memory - or lack thereof!
Thanks again, and I will check out your reference!
Modeling the ATSF - with an IC interface.................. (cause its my railroad, that's why!)
According to the MRR Cyclopedia - Volume 1, Steam Locomotives, the IC was one of the railroads that was 'issued' original USRA 0-8-0s. Unfortunately, there are no photos of any IC locos with the plan.
The USRA 0-8-0, which is readily available in HO, would be accurate for 1919, but the IC was notorious for rebuilding their locos with different appearing parts - notably squared off sand domes. I would suggest finding a picture of a specific IC loco taken at or near the time you are modeling to confirm appearance and provide an accurate road number.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Thanks!
The IC loved to build and rebuild and their facilities in Centralia and Paducah were really producing back then. I just wish they hadn't used those squared off sand domes, as that is the hardest thing to add to a model (and - my opinion - they are ugly too).
You know, my best train memories originated with the IC. I spent a lot of summer vacations in the '50s at my Grandmother's which was right next to the IC main in Anna Illinois (about 40 miles north of Cairo). It was 4 track where she lived on the outskirts of town, with two mains, a passing siding, and an industrial siding.
Once I was "that close" to an 0-8-0 once when it was switching the feed mill, and it was a "monster" of a locomotive. I was 10 or 11, and I was totally blown away by this huffing, puffing, spitting powerhouse. I also remember thinking about how it could possibly stay on those little rails.....
ENJOY the day!
mobilman44 wrote:...and - my opinion - they are ugly too).
...and - my opinion - they are ugly too).
This is somewhat funny to me. I like the IC steamers, too, and I LOVE these sand domes. No other detail beats these square domes. Almost all other steamers have round domes, and here is something really special - which - at least to me - also looks good.
I've had my turkey & pie and I am in a much better mood than when I posted earlier.
What I should have said regarding the square sand domes is that "every" decent steam loco that comes out that has IC potential or worse is labled for the IC has a round dome. So if you want anything that could pass for IC, you have to overcome that - and that changeover is not an easy task.
Hey, ENJOY !
tomikawaTT wrote: According to the MRR Cyclopedia - Volume 1, Steam Locomotives, the IC was one of the railroads that was 'issued' original USRA 0-8-0s. Unfortunately, there are no photos of any IC locos with the plan.The USRA 0-8-0, which is readily available in HO, would be accurate for 1919, but the IC was notorious for rebuilding their locos with different appearing parts - notably squared off sand domes. I would suggest finding a picture of a specific IC loco taken at or near the time you are modeling to confirm appearance and provide an accurate road number.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Chuck,
Thanks for that information. I'll have to write Kalmbach, because that book excerpt is wrong. The IC owned ezactly ZERO USRA steamers. Their heavy 2-10-2s were patterned after the USRA design, but were post-USRA "clones". Their purpose-built 0-8-0s (as opposed to their homemade rebuilds into 0-8-0s, which were more numerous) were VERY loosely based on the USRA design, but actually looked like much older Lima engines (which most of them were).