Looking For "The General"

[starman]

I am looking for a HO, 4-4-0 equipted with DCC and sound, W&ARR, better known as “The General.”   Does anybody know where I can find one.  Thanks!

[zstripe]

Check Bachmann. They made the General in HO. I believe they are sold out.

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/

Found this also just a few minutes after post.

http://www.hobbylinc.com/bachmann-4-4-0-american-dcc-w-arr-the-general-w:wood-load-ho-scale-model-train-steam-locomotive-52705

Take Care! 

Frank

[IRONROOSTER]

Trainworld has them at a discount - 2 versions.

Paul

[OT Dean]

starman

I am looking for a HO, 4-4-0 equipted with DCC and sound, W&ARR, better known as “The General.”   Does anybody know where I can find one.  Thanks!

 

Excuse me, but I think you're probably out of luck as far as DCC and sound.  The boilers and cabs of HO 4-4-0s, especially of that vintage (mid to late 1800s) were too small for the motors.  Motors of the Mantua/Tyco and the AHM models (and, come to think of it, even models of later, larger 4-4-0s from the brass builders) were in their tenders which were none too roomy even for the smallest motors.  (Cudgelling my elderly noggin, I just realized that even O scale Americans and even some Ten-wheelers had motors in their tenders.  'Course, smaller motors are available these days, yet I've pretty well come to the conclusion that if I ever build that gaudy [O scale] "Old Lady" for which I've been collecting parts for close to thirty years--including a Japanese can motor--will have to have a drive shaft between the tender and firebox...)  Good luck and stay safe.

Deano

[BRAKIE]

Deano, A N Scale decoder would probably fit in the General's boiler.. Bachmann has  small mid to late 1800 4-4-0s that comes DCC equipped.

[Tinplate Toddler]

Deano - the Bachmann HO model of the "General" comes equipped with DCC & sound. Cuuently sold out at Bachmann´s, it is still available at other retailers.

[Darth Santa Fe]

The only problem with the Bachmann model is it's based on the Central Pacific Jupiter, so it's not actually a scale model of the General.  Outside of brass, the most accurate model is the one from Mantua/Tyco.  I bought one of these as a new-in-the-box kit a few years back, and was able to make a pretty nice model with only the basic included details and some quality Microscale decals.

The motor is tender mounted, but if you replace the original motor with a smaller, more modern flat can motor, you can also fit an N scale DCC/sound system inside the tender.  It might even be possible to put a larger speaker under the cab roof.

[dknelson]

Yes there have been 4-4-0s offered in Western & Atlantic lettering which are not actual models of The General; Mantua's is pretty accurate at least for some versions - actually post Civil War -- of how the locomotive looked.  

You certainly don't want to do anything, like grind away metal inside the boiler/cab, that would decrease its pulling power such as it is.  I think one practical course of action would be to think about putting the DCC and sound if any in a more or less permanently coupled car behind the tender.  Or have two cars, with a "plug" system, one a freight car and one a passenger car. 

Just in case you want to recreate the Andrews Raid itself.

Dave Nelson

[RR_Mel]

I have a Rivarossi General, Jupiter, and a 119, both tenders will accommodate a sugar cube speaker behind the motor and an N decoder will fit above the drive assembly in the cab.

I haven’t added a DCC decoder in either mainly because they are for display.  They do run pretty good on DC but not very good pullers.  They do OK on level track with three light cars but have some wheel slip engine and tender only on my 3½% grades.


Mel


 
My Model Railroad  
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Bakersfield, California
 
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