Hi all,
Does anyone know if the Bachmann 2-8-0 is based on any specific prototype class or type of consolidation? I assume that it is a "generic" model, but thought I'd ask. Thanks
A few details like the sand dome and cab windows were changed for a more generic look.
Dave
Just be glad you don't have to press "2" for English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_ALEdDUB8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hqFS1GZL4s
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/steemtrayn/media/MovingcoalontheDCM.mp4.html?sort=3&o=27
The NEB&W (model railroad club at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)website has a page dedicated to Bachmann engines.
http://nebwrailroad.com/index.php/NEB%26W_Guide_to_Bachmann_Steam_Locomotive_Models
I'm assuming the OP is referring to the more recent Bachmann engine, but note that there was an earlier Bachmann HO 2-8-0, based on a Reading prototype. It has been out of production for many years now.
Oddly this 2-8-0 could easily make a fairly good stand in C&O G9 2-8-0 by adding a C&O style tender or a Vanderbilt tender.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
As I recall, Bachmann first advertised the Spectrum 2-8-0 as a Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation, and, as you probably know, most locomotives were built to match the requirements and specifications of the road ordering them. A locomotive might be built pretty-much to Baldwin's generic specifations (or not), but could still end-up looking quite different.
In the linked NEBW offering on Consolidations, they neglected to mention the CNR's several hundred Consolidations with 63" drivers (they had many with smaller drivers, too). The Bachmann model can be made into an acceptable stand-in for a CNR N-3-d, with the addition of a couple of details...
...and, in my opinion, very good versions of CNR's N-2-b and DW&P's N-2-a. If I ever get time to work on my own stuff, I'll be doing two of the former and one example of the latter. I have the models and all of the detail parts on-hand, and all have been started...just too busy finishing projects for friends at the moment.
Wayne
doctorwayne As I recall, Bachmann first advertised the Spectrum 2-8-0 as a Baldwin 2-8-0 Consolidation, and, as you probably know, most locomotives were built to match the requirements and specifications of the road ordering them. A locomotive might be built pretty-much to Baldwin's generic specifations (or not), but could still end-up looking quite different. In the linked NEBW offering on Consolidations, they neglected to mention the CNR's several hundred Consolidations with 63" drivers (they had many with smaller drivers, too). The Bachmann model can be made into an acceptable stand-in for a CNR N-3-d, with the addition of a couple of details...
They also neglected to mention the Frisco (SLSF), which had many 63" driver consolidations, made by both Alco and Baldwin. The Bachmann model dome placements seem to match several of the Alco-built models, oddly enough. It's close enough for me...
Gary
From a link I found some time ago.
The quality has improved as I have watched the Bachmann forums for some years.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Yep, they are based on a Baldwin built Consolidation. I don't know much about how Lima's 2-8-0's looked like; but ALCO tended to build a smaller and burlier style of engine than Baldwin. The domes and bell were often mounted in different parts of the locomtoive on an ALCO than they were on a Baldwin. A few ALCO designs even had the steam piping internal through the frame and into the pistons, meaning they lacked any external piping on the pistons themselves. Now you can shave off the domes and pipes on a Bachmann 2-8-0 and re-arrange things to give it an ALCO look; but there is no doubt that out of the box the Bachmann model is based on a Baldwin engine.
Thanks to everyone who replied! I appreciate all the great info.
The old pre-Spectrum ones with the arched cab windows and pancake motor with lifetime measured in minutes not years, plus with smoke and operating headlight! were based on the Reading I10-sa. 30 of which were 'converted' to the T1 Northerns. A shame they went more generic with the better quality Spectrum ones, a Spectrum level shell and drive with a true Reading protoype and I'd buy several. And maybe even backdate my era a little. Just have to avoid certain numbers since I have a couple of T1s so it wouldn't do to have the same I10 that was made into one of my T1s running on the rails at the same time.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Here's the Bachmann Reading boiler shell (minus some of its details) on a Spectrum chassis...
The Reading loco, on its own chassis, survived a 5' drop to a concrete floor, with little damage, and is still a decent-running locomotive, although not to the degree of the Spectrum versions.
The first time I visited Steamtown, on a dreary autumn day, I arrived early, and wandered around viewing the outdoor displays. Knowing its origins, I was more impressed by the T-1 than I was by Big Boy.
Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but the Bachmann 2-8-0 is one of several engines they make that I would love to see issued with Stephenson valve gear, which would make them able to represent many older steam engines, like Duluth & NorthEastern 28 (which I got to ride behind on a fantrip last year).
http://mediacdnopen.cincopa.com/v2/784878/160!EyZDAINPfDwq_C/4/28hero21.jpg
wjstix Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but the Bachmann 2-8-0 is one of several engines they make that I would love to see issued with Stephenson valve gear, which would make them able to represent many older steam engines, like Duluth & NorthEastern 28 (which I got to ride behind on a fantrip last year). http://mediacdnopen.cincopa.com/v2/784878/160!EyZDAINPfDwq_C/4/28hero21.jpg
I'd be pretty enthusiastic to see some in Stepherson valve gear to. The shortline that used to run through my hometown long before I was alive had four Consolidations all from ALCO-Brooks. The two 'modern' engines had Walschaerts valve gear (the preserved locomotive from the line was one of these two). The other two Consols on the line were second hand from the Butte Anaconda & Pacific and came with the Stepherson valve gear. Ironically, the youngest steam engine on the line was one of the Stepherson valve gear ones since it was built in September of 1910 a few months after the 'modern' Walschaerts engines were finished. Its an interesting case of how engines from the same factory built at the same time; but ordered by seperate railroads can have wild differences in their designs.
wjstix...the Bachmann 2-8-0 is one of several engines they make that I would love to see issued with Stephenson valve gear...
If you're referring to Stephenson inside valve gear, you should be able to simulate it by removing all of the extraneous parts from the Walshaerts with which the Bachmann 2-8-0 comes equipped. You're on your own for outside Stephenson, though.
Were there any major issues getting the non-Spectrum Reading boiler on the Spectrum chassis? That might be an easy way to get a fine running Reading version - that and some castings to replace some of the molded on detail on the old model.
While we are on the subject of Bachmann 2-8-0s, does anyone know if you can use one of Bachmann’s out of production Spectrum Vanderbilt tenders with a newer Bachmann DCC (no sound) 2-8-0, or do you need a Spectrum loco?
rrinker Were there any major issues getting the non-Spectrum Reading boiler on the Spectrum chassis?...
None that I can recall, Randy, but it was just a test to see if it would fit. As you may have noticed, I had previously modified (narrowed) the Wooten firebox on the Reading loco, and it still fit.
If I were to do a combination of the two different-era Bachmann Consolidations, it would more likely be, at least on my layout, the Spectrum boiler on the older mechanism, only because I have several extra Spectrum boiler castings, bought for their cabs, so that my freelanced lines would have more of a"family" appearance...
Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0....
Brass ex-B&M B-15 Mogul...
IHC Mogul...
Varney boiler on a Spectrum Ten Wheeler mechanism...
I didn't explore the Reading boiler on the Spectrum chassis issue any further, such as affixing the older boiler to the Spectrum mechanism, but it seems to me that it would be do-able. Updating the details should make the combination look even better.