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U.P. Steam locomotive for Christmas?

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Friday, December 15, 2017 9:44 AM

It looks like the package is actucally on the way via UPS mail inovations. That's why it's not in USPS's tracking system yet. Whew! 

Yes

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Posted by RR_Mel on Friday, December 15, 2017 9:29 AM

How about some good words guys, everything I’ve ordered this year is doing very good.  I even got two orders from China one in 8 days the other in 10 days.
 
Don’t give up yet!
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
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I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by tstage on Friday, December 15, 2017 9:12 AM

Most of the time I don't have any issues with Amazon shipping.  However, it's Christmas rush and things run behind.  Maybe you'll be suprised.  At least it's 10 days before and NOT 3 days. Big Smile

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Friday, December 15, 2017 8:52 AM

Lonnie Utah
Now lets just hope UPS Santa makes it to grandma and grandpa's house before the 25th... 

 

  

Well, my fears may be warrented. 

 

I ordered the item Monday off Amazon from one of the vendors. It listed as "shipped" on Tuesday. I clicked on the USPS tracking number today, and the USPS still doesn't have possession of the item. I fear that if they don't get it today, it won't arrive in time for Christmas. That will HIGHLY disappoint a 6 y/o. 

 

The thing that really upsets me about this, is I fear this is a repeat of the last time I ordered an Amazon item two years ago. It was the exact same situation, the vendor listed the item as shipped so Amazon wouldn't do anything. Finally after almost a month of waiting, the vendor shipped the item. By that time I had "canceled" the item with Amazon.  It didn't matter. When I request a return shipping label from the vendor, they never responded. It was a mess. Amazon finally refunded my money, and I SWORE, I'd never use them again. 

 

When the pain of that experience wore off, and I relented on my promise, look what happens. HOPEFULLY everything will work out. As of this moment, I'm not optimistic. 

 The other thing that upsets me is that I'm not shipping it to my home. I'm shipping it to my parents house. So even if it does arrive after the fact, someone will have to mail/ship it to me here.  

What a dang mess. 

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Posted by Medina1128 on Monday, December 11, 2017 6:15 PM

Lonnie Utah

Found a Bachmann DCC ready Alco 2-6-0 Mogul for less than $100 and pulled the trigger. Now lets just hope UPS Santa makes it to grandma and grandpa's house before the 25th... 

 

Of course he'll make it. He uses the "magic dust"...Smile, Wink & Grin

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Monday, December 11, 2017 11:52 AM

Found a Bachmann DCC ready Alco 2-6-0 Mogul for less than $100 and pulled the trigger. Now lets just hope UPS Santa makes it to grandma and grandpa's house before the 25th... 

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Monday, December 11, 2017 7:54 AM

Thanks Tom. 

I saw than and after reading some online reviews of the product, I was a little leary of controlling the train only out of the app. I'm not sure how well that would work on our DCC layout. Then there's the issue of getting a dedicated divice for the layout and handing it over to a 6 y/o. If we were starting from scratch, I think that might be a viable option, but in our case there just might be too much water under the tressle. :) 

But you might have solved the issue unintentionally. After much thought, what I think I might do is get one of the other 2-6-0 Alco and just remove the decals and reletter it as a UP. There were lots of options on that page that would work. 

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Posted by tstage on Monday, December 11, 2017 6:08 AM

Smart 6-year old, Lonnie.  Read my earlier post.  There are still two on "super sale" at M.B. Klein at well-below $150 and they are a terrific outfit.  It will operate on either DC or DCC.  You'll still need a transformer.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Monday, December 11, 2017 5:49 AM

New wrinkle from yesterday, while talking about this he said, "Dad, IT HAS to be a 2-6-0. Because that's what pulled passenger coaches..."

lol

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Friday, December 8, 2017 10:23 AM

dstarr
At six years old, he ought to be overjoyed with just about any steamer just so long as you put some UP decals on the tender sides.

And you might be surprised at the road names he knows number and the locos he can identify even at 6.... 

 

He said to me the other day, "Dad, I think the SP Daylight is my new favorite locomotive.  It's colorful." This is after the Big Boy being his favorite for at least a couple of years. 

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Posted by Deane Johnson on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 11:44 AM

dstarr

At six years old, he ought to be overjoyed with just about any steamer just so long as you put some UP decals on the tender sides.

Six is temporary, you know!Smile

 

 

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Posted by dstarr on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 4:33 PM

At six years old, he ought to be overjoyed with just about any steamer just so long as you put some UP decals on the tender sides.

 

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 12:20 PM

Sir Madog
Check this: Bachmann UP 4-6-0

 

I've been able to deduce that the "DC" version of Bachmann's Alco's are DCC ready. Most of their others are not. 

 

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/HO_260_DCC_ready.pdf

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 11:20 AM

dti406
Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings! Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4. Another reason not to buy Botchmann!

 

You may not like them and that's fine. Everyone has their personal preference. Given our budget and the fact that 6 year olds, while respectful with the layout, can be rough on the equipment, have served us well. And if they DO get damaged, they have a very good repair policy that we've used a number of times. 

 

So we are not personally opposed to Bachmann products on our layout. But thanks for your opinion on the matter. And if you dislike them so much, why not offer alternatives that fit the criteria I posted above and I'll expore them as well.

 

As I said, ALL sugestions welcome. Yes

 

 

selector
To our OP, my apologies.  I hadn't actually gone and looked for the specs on that loco because Bachmann has had, I guess until recently, a practice of making all their locomotives run on 18" radius curves.  Their Decapod and Class J are two examples that, like their prototypes which had smaller drivers than almost all others in their class of locomotive, were manufactured to negotiate smaller curves.  So, unless you are willing to enlarge your track plan, I'm afraid the FEF won't do.

 

No worries, it was unintentional and I left out some critical advice as well. 

Caveat Emptor

 

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 11:10 AM

Sir Madog
You are a blessed man to have him as your grandchild!

 

He's my kid, I'm just helping my parents with what to purchase. Yes

 

Going to hit the LTS this PM and see if they have anything that might fit the bill. 

If I had my druthers (and didn't just have to had replace our 19 y/o furnace and AC), I'd just get him the Jupiter and 119 set.  We live just about 90 mins from Golden Spike NM and he is familar with and really likes both of those locomtives.  Here's the replica 119 from the Steam Fest they have over the holidays couple of years ago. 

 

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Posted by PRR8259 on Monday, December 4, 2017 10:30 PM

Athearn original version UP 4-6-6-4 challengers are due near end of December.  I am on the hook for one at a good price which I would gladly pass along to someone else...sorry cant do as low as $150, but will be a good price.

For budget reasons, including kids' baseball, I dieselized and sold all steam save one...

Replacements include Intermountain IC and ICG diesels...

John

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Posted by Mheetu on Monday, December 4, 2017 8:37 PM

Here is a few from ebay

First one usra 4-8-2 from bachmann

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-SCALE-BACHMANN-SPECTRUM-81603-UNION-PACIFIC-USRA-4-8-2-STEAM-LOCOMOTIVE-7009/272965343562?epid=6003304273&hash=item3f8e00994a:g:fngAAOSwPCVX~Zo9

Second one is bachmann 2 8 0

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-51315-HO-Union-Pacific-2-8-0-Consolidation-Steam-Locomotive-w-DCC-617/391926504927?epid=2255451355&hash=item5b40a3dddf:g:uz4AAOSwdkpZeaoz

This last one is are little higher in price but it a UP 4 8 2 MT-73 dcc with sound (listing say brass but it not)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Broadway-Limited-Imports-BLI-044-MT-73-4-8-2-UNION-PACIFIC-7018-Brass-Gray-HO/391939171439?hash=item5b4165246f:g:7OAAAOSwR2RaJFLL

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Posted by tstage on Monday, December 4, 2017 3:01 PM

Given that it's a 6-year old, I would look at some smaller than a 4-8-4.  That's a handful - even for an adult. Surprise

You might consider the Bachmann UP 2-6-0.  M.B. Klein has the E-Z App control version on super sale for $100 and 2 are in stock.  (Note: M.B. Klein has "live" inventory.  So when they say they have "2"; they actually have two in stock.)  That particular Bachmann locomotive should be a quality engine, operate easily on R18" curves, and give you years of good service.

Hope that helps...

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by Deane Johnson on Monday, December 4, 2017 2:34 PM

Nice little engine.  I had to order one, don't you know.

Deane

Sir Madog

Check this:

Bachmann UP 4-6-0

 

 

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Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, December 4, 2017 2:11 PM

Actually it’s a Lionel UP FEF 4-8-4, I used that picture because it is a nice looking locomotive for a 6 year old.
 
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
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Posted by selector on Monday, December 4, 2017 1:45 PM

dti406

 

 
RR_Mel

I second Selector’s choice, A UP 4-8-4.
 
 
 
EDIT:
 
You are correct, the minimum radius on the Bachmann 4-8-4 is 22".
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
 

 

 

Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings!

Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4.

Another reason not to buy Botchmann!

Rick Jesionowski

 

Apparently you have no idea of the context in which the OP asks for helpful advice.

To our OP, my apologies.  I hadn't actually gone and looked for the specs on that loco because Bachmann has had, I guess until recently, a practice of making all their locomotives run on 18" radius curves.  Their Decapod and Class J are two examples that, like their prototypes which had smaller drivers than almost all others in their class of locomotive, were manufactured to negotiate smaller curves.  So, unless you are willing to enlarge your track plan, I'm afraid the FEF won't do.

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Posted by msrrkevin on Monday, December 4, 2017 12:49 PM

Sir Madog

I have no idea how that posts contributes to the OP´s question, other than showing your strong dislike for Bachmann products, for which you appear to make use of every opportunity there is.

Not very helpful, I´d say!

 

 
Not to mention tends to disagree with the philosophy mentioned in the poster's signature Surprise

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 4, 2017 12:41 PM

dti406
Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings! Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4. Another reason not to buy Botchmann! Rick Jesionowski

I have no idea how that posts contributes to the OP´s question, other than showing your strong dislike for Bachmann products, for which you appear to make use of every opportunity there is.

Not very helpful, I´d say!

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Posted by dti406 on Monday, December 4, 2017 12:21 PM

RR_Mel

I second Selector’s choice, A UP 4-8-4.
 
 
 
EDIT:
 
You are correct, the minimum radius on the Bachmann 4-8-4 is 22".
 
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
 

Why put a picture of an Athearn UP 4-8-4 which is nothing like the foobie Botchmann UP 4-8-4 which is obviously a NYC Niagra with UP Markings!

Of course Botchman also did a UP 4-8-4 in the past using the boiler from an ATSF 2-10-4.

Another reason not to buy Botchmann!

Rick Jesionowski

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 4, 2017 12:04 PM

Lonnie Utah

 

 
Sir Madog
It´s probably a foobie, but I don´t think that matters much to a 6 year old.

 

 

A 6 y/o with a vivid imigination. Big Smile

 

Love that! Reminds me of myself - 55 years ago!

You are a blessed man to have him as your grandchild!

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Monday, December 4, 2017 11:57 AM

Sir Madog
It´s probably a foobie, but I don´t think that matters much to a 6 year old.

 

A 6 y/o with a vivid imigination. Big Smile

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 4, 2017 11:26 AM

It´s probably a foobie, but I don´t think that matters much to a 6 year old. It´s a nice little engine which does not look awkward pulling a string of Harriman coaches. For the price, it comes with DCC and sound - looks like a good deal to me!

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Posted by Lonnie Utah on Monday, December 4, 2017 11:12 AM

Sir Madog
Check this: Bachmann UP 4-6-0

 

That's pretty good. 

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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 4, 2017 10:30 AM

Check this:

Bachmann UP 4-6-0

 

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