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Finally getting a small steamer!

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  • Member since
    September 2020
  • 432 posts
Finally getting a small steamer!
Posted by JDawg on Monday, November 29, 2021 9:51 PM

     Hello all. I realize I may be jumping the gun slightly on this one, but I was just able to purchace a Bachmann Baldwin modern 4-4-0! In stunning GN green, red and graphite of course! It will be arriving next week.

     Normally I would not post until I have the locomotive in hand but I simply cannot contain my excitement. I got a smoking hot deal on it, so all the better! This will only be my second steamer, my first was a BLI 2-8-0 which I was forced to return because of decoder problems. So painful but sadly so necessary. Dots - Sign It was a truely beautiful engine but it was not worth dealing with the Paragon nightmare. So off it wentCrying.

     I will be posting some photos and an update when the 4-4-0 arrives. I have been coveting this model for many a month, hence my ecitement at one being sold for only $135. (No I was not scammed, I just have some GOOD connectionsWink). Anyway, just wanted to give this earth moving news!Laugh

JJF


Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing. Smile, Wink & Grin

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present. 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Monday, November 29, 2021 11:10 PM

Ya gotta be happy in this hobby or you ain't doing it right.

  • Member since
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  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, November 29, 2021 11:38 PM

Dawg, I am headed to my bar to mix up a Rusty Nail to celebrate your find. Drinks

Sorry to hear about that 2-8-0. Crying

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 12:26 AM

I wonder if JDawg's 2-8-0 ended up in the same place as my 2-6-6-4?

I am imagining something like the final scene in Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 12:49 AM

SeeYou190

I wonder if JDawg's 2-8-0 ended up in the same place as my 2-6-6-4?

I am imagining something like the final scene in Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

-Kevin

 

LOL.  The Island of Lost Locos. 

That is so sad with that 2-8-0. Since Dawg loved it so much, maybe a replacement decoder should have been considered.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    August 2020
  • 581 posts
Posted by Southgate 2 on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 3:52 AM

Great one, Kevin!

'Dawg, NICE SCORE! As far out of era as they are on my layout, 4-4-0s are my favorite steam arrangement, and a Rivarossi "Genoa" was my first ever steam loco. I snuck a peek on google, that's a great looking loco. Thanks for sharing. 

Now, get out there and set up camp by that mailbox... Dan

  • Member since
    September 2020
  • 432 posts
Posted by JDawg on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 7:44 AM

Southgate 2

Now, get out there and set up camp by that mailbox... Dan

On it! Stick out tongueLaugh

JJF


Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing. Smile, Wink & Grin

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present. 

  • Member since
    September 2020
  • 432 posts
Posted by JDawg on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 7:59 AM

Here is a stock/marketing photo. I will post a photo of the one I recieve soon!

JJF


Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing. Smile, Wink & Grin

Yesterday is History.

Tomorrow is a Mystery.

But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present. 

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 8:08 AM

Hey, that's a great reason to get excited. I have two of them, and they are sweet little runners. A bit light on their feet, but the real ones were light too!  Here in Canada, the last 4-4-0 ran until 1960, so I can run it along side with diesels without shame Smile. Mine came without sound, but I managed to install a sound decoder and bury the speaker under a heap of coal. Definitely a favorite.

Enjoy!

Simon

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 8:34 AM

JDawg
Here is a stock/marketing photo.

That is a honey.

Even though it is less colorful than a lot of 4-4-0s, it is still a lot more colorful than most steam locomotives.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 10:35 AM

And here's a curiously similar one:

 

 

I see it, too, as a compound air pump on the side, though a different brand.  And the boiler sheet metal DOES look a bit lighter than black.....

 

Ed

  • Member since
    March 2017
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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 10:35 AM

That's a handsome 4-4-0 you got there Dawg! Yes

I'm still looking for a good GN 4-4-0.  I'm looking for that Old West kinda look like I found with this 4-6-2.

She's a handsome little beast but I'll have to say I was unpleasantly surprised.  I didn't do my research on this Key Brass before I bought it.  It's equipped with Tender Drive because the motor wouldn't fit in that slender body style.  It doesn't have much pulling power to speak of at all and is almost worthless in reverse.  That's okay, it will just be a show and go locomotive. 

A while back I got a Roundhouse GN 34' Overton four car kit.  These little western-looking passenger cars are quite small and will look like they're made for that locomotive with a small caboose.  I did a test and she pulls those up a 2% curved grade no problem.

For the inexpensive price I paid being that it's brass, I'd probably buy it again after all because I really like the Cosmetic look of it.  

The thing is really heavy, it's just too bad the drive is pushing all the weight, otherwise I think it would have a lot of pulling power.  It probably performs the same way it did when it was new out of the box because the thing does run smooth.

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by snjroy on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 12:16 PM

TF, I really like the low profile look of that loco. Reminds me of narrow gauge equipment. Is there any room in the tender to add weight? Seems like a shame to not have it as part of your regular roster.

Simon

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 3:26 AM

snjroy

TF, I really like the low profile look of that loco. Reminds me of narrow gauge equipment. Is there any room in the tender to add weight?

 
That's a good idea Simon.  Back in the day I used to put sand bags in the back of my 2 wheel drive truck bed in the winter for traction, that really helped.  Same principle I guess.
 
I have a lot of lead split shot fishing line weights from when I lived on the resort.  They could be easily melted down and formed into plates or bars.  Even a plaster mold of the coal load could be made to do a lead cast if there's no room in the tender. 
 
Thanks for the idea Simon, I'll have to check that out.
 
 
 
 
 
 
TF
  • Member since
    August 2020
  • 581 posts
Posted by Southgate 2 on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 3:27 AM

snjroy

Smile... Mine came without sound, but I managed to install a sound decoder and bury the speaker under a heap of coal. Definitely a favorite.

Enjoy!

Simon

 

I looked for a DC version, couldn't find one. Was there ever one made? Dan

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,775 posts
Posted by snjroy on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 8:21 AM

Eons ago, these models were available in DCC and DCC-ready versions. 

I'm on the lookout for the new Civil War 4-4-0, with new tooling. The reviews are very positive...

Simon

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