bachmann spectrum 0-6-0T switcher??? from where?

[Anonymous]

I just recently purchased a 0-6-0t switcher the one made by spectrum has colorado mining co on the tank.. what is the this model based off of?? what prototype did they use in making this one.. is this one acurrate? and is my guess right that they most likely made this one around 1920 or so? or made early like around 1900? I'm interested in changing the name and making it a logging or small industrial for mexican railroad but need to know what era it is for it to be placed in.. and plus is it just me or does the cab have TOO many windows on the side.. as though the cab was lengthed by the company for some reason? any help is appreciated. thank you.

[Anonymous]

It is a fairly generic model. I looks like many engines built in the 1890's for light switching. It could be used for logging, industrial or even a shortline engine. The PRR had some engines that are close to this engine that they used to move cold engines around repair shops and roundhouses.

Hope this gives you a little help

[marknewton]

It's not generic at all - it's an accurate model of an Alco "catalog" engine. Drawings were published in MR many years ago, and were reprinted in the MR Cyclopedia Volume 1. The model is of a locomotive built in 1910 for a coal mining company in Eastern Ohio.

It would be an very suitable loco for an industrial operation, as that's what the real locos were built for. The cab is as delivered form the Alco works - the engineer sits alongside the firebox, not behind it, on locos like these.

All the best,

Mark.

[Anonymous]

well I understand that engineer sits beside the firebox yet why the extra window on the side.. 2 windows and the door window should work but this one has 4 on it.. I guess I'll have to look it up in MR cyc. 1 if its in there. thanks again for your help guys..

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MXferro

well I understand that engineer sits beside the firebox yet why the extra window on the side.. 2 windows and the door window should work but this one has 4 on it.. I guess I'll have to look it up in MR cyc. 1 if its in there. thanks again for your help guys..

It's on page 32. Top of the page

Andre

[tomikawaTT]

Close examination of the drawing reveals (from left to right):
1. Swinging cab door with window.
2. Fixed portion of patio-style sliding window. The engineer's seat back is in this area.
3. Sliding portion of window. This one is where the engineer actually sits, and would be open on all but cold days.
4. Fixed window above the brake stand, throttle lever, Johnson bar and gauges. This allowed for easy visibility forward and down - absolutely essential when switching, since the engineer needed to see the switchstands and people on the ground.

All of those windows were needed, which was why they were there.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by marknewton

It's not generic at all - it's an accurate model of an Alco "catalog" engine. ,

Is'nt the fact that it is a "catalog" engine the same as saying it is Generic? It was not designed for any railroad. And if you check the model carefully you will find a few minor differances.

As for the size of the cab I would expect one or two flagmen or breakmen would also have ridden in the cab as most small industial switching lines did not use a caboose.

Bottom line it is a very good engine and could be used on any size layout.

[timthechef]

I have one and am very happy with it. I'm using it as an industrial switcher for a shortline.

[reklein]

I don't know from where it came,but I just bought one to use as a harbor switcher and if anybody cares. I had trouble with the little circuit board when I tried to install a decoder in it. I bought another decoder, the little Digitrax Z,N,HO, one ,and desoldered all the components from the board to the motor and lights and soldered in the new decoder,being careful to insulate all my solder connections with shrink tube and it works perfectly ,plus the little decoder fits into the space left by the circuit board with no mods needed to the loco's shell.Its still a bugger to get the shell on and off. If you have trouble watch for where the cab front bulkhead catches on the gear shaft.[:)]

[marknewton]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Michaell

Is'nt the fact that it is a "catalog" engine the same as saying it is Generic?

No, they're two completely different things. Consult a dictionary for the meaning of "generic" and you'll see why. At any rate, when you described the model as generic, you were implying that it wasn't a model of any particular prototype - which is not the case.

QUOTE: And if you check the model carefully you will find a few minor differances.

Such as? You reckon these claimed minor differences mean that the model is no longer of an Alco catalog engine?

QUOTE: As for the size of the cab I would expect one or two flagmen or breakmen would also have ridden in the cab as most small industial switching lines did not use a caboose.

Possible, but I reckon tomikawaTT's explanation is more likely.