Rich,
I have a large layout and about 90% of the steam is small engines, mostly 4-6-2's and 2-8-2's with some 2-8-0's and 2-6-0's to round out the fleet plus my mallets. The problem is finding any quality mallets in the B&O livery. All of the mallets I have are Rivarossi's and I have repowered and rebuilt these engines to try to keep them running and perform well. My view is the only quality big steam available currently is a big boy, there are plenty of smaller steam of quality and cost. I run alot of double headed steam with a pair of 4-6-2's which is fun to watch but I would like to either upgrade or at least enhance my steam fleet with some P-7's and some EM's and EL's from a quality manufacturer such as BLI or Spectrum.
Ray
Hi Ray;
Am I mistaken or does Proto/Heritage line put out a "Y6-B" mallet? I am mostly a free-lancer and my road was dreamed up in my not so spare time, so I mostly do not keep track of B&O or N&W engines. I have looked at the Y6's and they are pretty nice looking rig. I bought a 2-6-6-6 when they first came out (one of the early numbers) and was extremely happy with its looks as well as its running quality. Rivarossi, in my opinion, outdid themselves.
Where did you find your 2-6-0s? Working over the superstructure into a New Haven-ish/Alco G series presents no particular problem, but I would rather stay away from monkeying around with the mechanisms. I figure as long as they have Baker or Southern mechanisms I would be "in keeping" with Northeastern engines.
Earlier this week, I was down at Valley Railroad in Essex, Ct, and there is a 2-8-0 down there that is a really sharp little engine! Next to it was the Chinese version of a New Haven tender-with spoked wheels! The tender is waiting for the SY to come out of its cocoon (the shop) and boogie on! THe engine looks as if she will look asnice as the tender!
While I won't part with my 2-6-6-2s, and 4-8-2s, and 2-8-2s etc any time soon, I would love to find some good smaller engines.
EF-3 Yellowjacket
ef3 yellowjacket A few shprt years ago , I probably not have been writing this; but we grow in our thinking and aspirations within this hobby, at least. In my opinion, way too much emphasis has been placed on larger steam; in reality, how many railroads did in fact, own articulateds and mallets? Now, in opposition, how many owned smaller engines like 2-6-0s et al? I am not advocating everyone shift to small engines, but instead that perhaps a little more attention whold be given them; as I said, Moguls, ten-wheelers, praries (and not just the "one size fits all" concept). Several years ago, I did an "Americanization of an SY miike, and it really looks nicely proportioned for the purpose intended (approx. 16 or so car general freight engine). It is dwarfed by the heavy-duty mikes on my roster. OK, just my opinion. EF-3 Yellowjacket
A few shprt years ago , I probably not have been writing this; but we grow in our thinking and aspirations within this hobby, at least.
In my opinion, way too much emphasis has been placed on larger steam; in reality, how many railroads did in fact, own articulateds and mallets? Now, in opposition, how many owned smaller engines like 2-6-0s et al?
I am not advocating everyone shift to small engines, but instead that perhaps a little more attention whold be given them; as I said, Moguls, ten-wheelers, praries (and not just the "one size fits all" concept). Several years ago, I did an "Americanization of an SY miike, and it really looks nicely proportioned for the purpose intended (approx. 16 or so car general freight engine). It is dwarfed by the heavy-duty mikes on my roster. OK, just my opinion.
Unfortunately it costs almost as much for the manufacturer to make a 2-6-0 as a 2-6-6-2, just one set of running gear. The modeler sees a 2-6-0 that costs only twenty dollars less than a 2-6-6-2 and the modeler goes ballistic at the price differential. So the manufacturer only makes big engines that the modeler sees as a prudent investment.
The same thing happened in brass years ago when the work on building a tank car was only a little less than a small steam locomotive but would the modeler pay $40.00 for that tank versus the $50.00 for the engine?
Just my
Rick
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!
Just a few of my "dream engines" would be:
Norfolk Southern (the REAL one!) 2-8-4
N&W M & M-2 4-8-0s
Western Maryland H-8 & H-9 2-8-0s
Western Maryland J-1 4-8-4 POTOMAC
Roger Huber
I'd like to see an E-5 since they were CB&Q Exclusives (unless I'm wrong, I've only seen them done in brass). I have a love affair with 9911A out at IRM. Actually, I have a love affair with covered wagons in general.
DragonFyreGT aka Snowball aka Nate.
WolfCreek & Iron Mountain (Keeping The Burlington Northern Alive since 1995)
"We took those Cascade Green engines for granted. Every Age. All of us. And in the blink of an eye, the era ended as quickly as it began."
D&SL 2-6-6-0 with the rear engine solidly mounted to the boiler and not pivoted. The United brass ones are made this way, and I have no problem with 18" radius curves. They make for a terrific small but mainline husky articulated engines.
I second the N&W M and M2 class 4-8-0.
Re-issue of the old MDC IR Box cab.
Baldwin catalog 2-10-0 (Strassburg, Great Western, and many other shortlnes).
PRR H8, H9, H10 2-8-0.
PRR B6 0-6-0
Fred Carlson
For me, SD 80 MAC in HO scale, in Conrail colors.
SCL U36B
Amtrak SDP40F "flat nose"
New Haven FL9
New Haven EP5
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Antonio;
to thebest of my knowledge, a brass FL-9 was made a number of years ago-I want to say "Alco" products (Japanese brass models), but I stand to be corrected.
IN terms of an EP-5, I believe that "Branford Hobbies" of Branford, Ct, is making the bodies. They are resin, and from a distance, look pretty good. The chassis they are using, I think, is a cut-down Athearn PA-1, as the trucks would be somewhat correct. The last time I saw one was a good ten years ago, so I cannot vouch for either the supply or quality of product one was or the other, at this point.
I do know that a reasonable EP-4 can be built by modifying a unit made by a Brasilian company, Fratesha (sp?), but the side frames for th traction motors would have to be re-worked .
/
Hello Yellowjacket.
1. I checked with Branford a while back. No EP5s available and they rarely show up on ebay. I guess the owners that purchased past runs are hanging on to them. I'll contact Branford Hobbies again.
2. I remember those attractive brass FL9s. The few that show up on ebay today fetch the price equivalence of a used Motor Scooter in very good shape.
Just cooks my grits that an Athearn sales rep commented that Athearn's management doesn't believe that an FL-9 would sell enough to recoup their investment (but a DDA40X will?).
3. The Frateschi company makes the South American version of the EP4. However, the body would need a lot of modifications and the truck side frames would have to be replaced.
ef3 yellowjacket Antonio; to the best of my knowledge, a brass FL-9 was made a number of years ago-I want to say "Alco" products (Japanese brass models), but I stand to be corrected. IN terms of an EP-5, I believe that "Branford Hobbies" of Branford, Ct, is making the bodies. They are resin, and from a distance, look pretty good. The chassis they are using, I think, is a cut-down Athearn PA-1, as the trucks would be somewhat correct. The last time I saw one was a good ten years ago, so I cannot vouch for either the supply or quality of product one was or the other, at this point. I do know that a reasonable EP-4 can be built by modifying a unit made by a Brasilian company, Fratesha (sp?), but the side frames for th traction motors would have to be re-worked . EF-3 Yellowjacket /
to the best of my knowledge, a brass FL-9 was made a number of years ago-I want to say "Alco" products (Japanese brass models), but I stand to be corrected.
What I want isn't an engine but but medium and long haul oil tenders, non vanderbuilt design. Jeff
Jeff;
aside from Conning Broadway out of an "SP" tender, ( and good luck with that) I am not sure what to say; other than find the closest thing you can, get out your exacto, and start cutting and re-working, because, unles you are extremely lucky (which I am not) you will have your work cut out for you.
As mention in earlier posts, CB&Q E5 passenger locomotives would be nice in HO with today's modeling high quality technnolgy.. I have the Hallmark E5 re-powered with Hobbytown drive and can motor in DC.
Also, Burlington's 1960's steam excursion trips included 5632 (4-8-4) and 4960 (2-8-2) These would look good in HO.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Hobbytown drives pull like there is no tomorrow. I have one that I want to put into an Alco DL-109 body. Have you done yours in DCC? If so, what did you run across?