A little Q about what came in the box with the Spectrum 2-6-6-2...

[Kozzie]

I recently had the pleasure of purchasing a Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-6-2, and in the box was a little plastic packet of black powder/granules. Just not sure what it's for..[:I]

Is it for glueing over the top of the plastic coal mold on the top of the tender? [:I]

Cheers [:)]

Kozzie

[M636C]

Dave,

Does the moulded coal come out, showing a bunker underneath?

There should be an exploded parts diagram with the loco which should show that (so don't play about with the tender) but I think one of my locos has that option.

Is the "coal" listed inthe parts list anyway?

One loco of mine came with glued coal, but they said you have to be careful that it doesn't scratch the paint - so there's a reason it would be separate.

All I've bought lately are some Walthers Super Chief cars!

Peter

[Kozzie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M636C

Dave,

Does the moulded coal come out, showing a bunker underneath?

There should be an exploded parts diagram with the loco which should show that (so don't play about with the tender) but I think one of my locos has that option.

Is the "coal" listed inthe parts list anyway?

One loco of mine came with glued coal, but they said you have to be careful that it doesn't scratch the paint - so there's a reason it would be separate.

All I've bought lately are some Walthers Super Chief cars!

Peter

Peter

Thanks for coming back on this. [:)] I had a look at the exploded parts diagram, but I may need to take another look.

That's basically my big purchase for the year - using the lifeline of lay-by payments.
I'm hoping to run it on the club exhibition layout pulling a fair rake of older box cars etc.

Those Super Chief cars look good in MR magazine. Are you happy with them?

Dave

[twhite]

Kozzie--it's scale coal. Have no idea why it's in there, maybe Bachmann wanted us to have 'weathered' coal in case we bought one of the 'weathered' models. Isn't that little 2-6-6-2 a honey, though? Mine will out-pull my Proto 2000 USRA 2-8-8-2! In fact, I double head them occasionally, just to amaze myself.

[Kozzie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by twhite

Kozzie--it's scale coal. Have no idea why it's in there, maybe Bachmann wanted us to have 'weathered' coal in case we bought one of the 'weathered' models. Isn't that little 2-6-6-2 a honey, though? Mine will out-pull my Proto 2000 USRA 2-8-8-2! In fact, I double head them occasionally, just to amaze myself.

Thanks twhite, sounds like that's what it is. If I do decide to glue it down on top of the fake coal, I'll have to be careful.

Interesting you mention that it pulls better than your Proto 2000 USRA 2-8-8-2, others who own both are saying the same thing. [;)][:)]

Dave

[M636C]

Dave,

I've only bought the "key" cars, the Diner, the Dome and the Sleeper Observation.
They look pretty good to me. I have my own photos of the Super Chief, run by Amtrak with the High Level cars up front, but it still had the original diner and dome car.

To get back on topic, the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is made in China, while the Life Like is from Europe. If the Bachmann is better, that says something about design and quality!

Peter

[Kozzie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by M636C

Dave,

I've only bought the "key" cars, the Diner, the Dome and the Sleeper Observation.
They look pretty good to me. I have my own photos of the Super Chief, run by Amtrak with the High Level cars up front, but it still had the original diner and dome car.

To get back on topic, the Bachmann 2-6-6-2 is made in China, while the Life Like is from Europe. If the Bachmann is better, that says something about design and quality!

Peter

Peter, I'm going to have to ask for your indulgence here [:I] [:)] but when did Amtrak start using the High Level cars? [:I][:I] (Running with the orgininal cars sounds very interesting! Sure make an interesting train to run on a layout! [;)])

Cheers

Dave

Dave

[M636C]

Dave,

The "High Level" cars were introduced by Santa Fe on the "El Capitan", a sitting car train that ran on a parallel schedule to the "Super Chief". I think the first cars were introduced in 1956 and the full train by 1958. At some time in the 1960s, I think, the "El Capitan" and "Super Chief" were combined with the high level cars running at the front of the train. Some of the "High Level" cars had vestibules at the normal level, with steps down from the upper level, for coupling to normal cars. Fleischmann made models of the sitting car and glass topped lounge car in the 1960s but they were less than full length. If you are interested, keep your eyes open at second hand sales.

So the "Super Chief" had the High Level cars when Amtrak was formed in 1971(?).

The Amtrak "Superliners" are very similar to the "High Level" cars (but even taller!!). Some "High Level" cars remained in service with Amtrak, some as dormitory cars for crew, and one of the Lounge cars worked on the Coast Starlight for some years.

I think I saw a High Level dormitory on the "Desert Wind" in 1994 (but I might have the train wrong!)

Peter