BrianinBuffalo For me the Big thing is the Drive Unit. Is it smooth, quiet, good puller - a good runner in other words? Reasonably accurate sound is nice as well when available. (HO: Kato & Atlas; N: Kato only). For track I like Kato (HO & N). The RR ties are spaced farther apart than NA Train lines BUT it is really easy to use and works well. When painted and ballasted it looks great IMHO.
For me the Big thing is the Drive Unit. Is it smooth, quiet, good puller - a good runner in other words? Reasonably accurate sound is nice as well when available. (HO: Kato & Atlas; N: Kato only).
For track I like Kato (HO & N). The RR ties are spaced farther apart than NA Train lines BUT it is really easy to use and works well. When painted and ballasted it looks great IMHO.
So you don't run any HO steam? Because last time I checked Atlas and Kato have never made any HO steam. That's OK, I don't run any Atlas or Kato, because as good as they are, they make very little that fits my modeling era - 1954. I don't buy trains just because "someone makes them" as suggested earlier, and I don't settle for what one or two brands offer.
As for Kato track, glad you like it. Personally I prefer to not be locked into unprototypical sectional track.
Brian, no disrespect, but your response to this thread speaks directly to several other posters who suggested that the model train market is more diverse than ever. Obviously you have no interest in the prototypical correctness of the BLI Pacific - OK we understand.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL There is often much conversation on this forum about proto specific, high detail models and how that is what most modelers appear to want these days. Yet, a number of recently released models are anything but proto specific - and some are from those very companies who would seem to be promoting this trend. Finally, after many years of promises, BLI has offered a Pacific that is NOT a PRR K4 - ....Being a freelancer and a "prototype" modeler, I can find a place for generic models and am not shy about saying so. But I sure thought we were headed in the other direction? Sheldon
There is often much conversation on this forum about proto specific, high detail models and how that is what most modelers appear to want these days.
Yet, a number of recently released models are anything but proto specific - and some are from those very companies who would seem to be promoting this trend.
Finally, after many years of promises, BLI has offered a Pacific that is NOT a PRR K4 - ....Being a freelancer and a "prototype" modeler, I can find a place for generic models and am not shy about saying so. But I sure thought we were headed in the other direction?
Edit Are we going backwards?
No. At least the answer is no for diesel era modelers. For steam, maybe, but that is to be expected because there isn't the demand for companies to produced prototypically correct steam engines to near the same level as diesels.
Unfortunatelly because you are in the wrong era/time this will probably continue to be a problem for you. We are going forward, not backwards, that is for those of us in the diesel era. From what little I know about steam, you are probably not going to see much proto specific stuff in the future, not like the diesel folks. So to me, this topic and the points you are trying to make apply to a pretty small percentage of the rr modeling community.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
And you know this to be fact why? Because you don't model steam? Which diesel era? There were diesels in the era I model.
Actually, I can point out a number of detail mistakes and/or lack of high quality detail on diesels as well - some of those also from Broadway Limited.
The example that comes to mind quickly is the poor quailty of the diaphragm detail on their E units when compared to Proto2000.
I would give more credit to the argument that diesels were more mass produced and the "variations" were fewer and simler over a larger number of prototypes making it easier for model manufacturers to get it right at a lower cost.
Last survey anybody took, the transition era still was the number one modeled era.
P.S. - In ten years are you going to move your modeling era forward by ten years? I know some do, but most modelers I know don't, and I'm surely not.
riogrande5761 ATLANTIC CENTRAL There is often much conversation on this forum about proto specific, high detail models and how that is what most modelers appear to want these days. Yet, a number of recently released models are anything but proto specific - and some are from those very companies who would seem to be promoting this trend. Finally, after many years of promises, BLI has offered a Pacific that is NOT a PRR K4 - ....Being a freelancer and a "prototype" modeler, I can find a place for generic models and am not shy about saying so. But I sure thought we were headed in the other direction? Sheldon Edit Are we going backwards? No. At least the answer is no for diesel era modelers. For steam, maybe, but that is to be expected because there isn't the demand for companies to produced prototypically correct steam engines to near the same level as diesels. Unfortunatelly because you are in the wrong era/time this will probably continue to be a problem for you. We are going forward, not backwards, that is for those of us in the diesel era. From what little I know about steam, you are probably not going to see much proto specific stuff in the future, not like the diesel folks. So to me, this topic and the points you are trying to make apply to a pretty small percentage of the rr modeling community.
Actually, I want steam locomotives based on prototypes. Being in S scale I don't expect the same variety as HO. But I do prefer a steam locomotive to be based on an actual prototype locomotive and to be nicely detailed. That it is labeled for other roads is fine with me. And I'll use it if it fits the spirit of my prototype.
While you diesel guys may be going forward, this steam guy is staying in the early 50's. If I move at all, it will be backwards - the early 1900's have always interested me.
Enjoy
Paul
ATLANTIC CENTRALThere is often much conversation on this forum about proto specific, high detail models and how that is what most modelers appear to want these days.
Gidday Sheldon, do we really know what we actually want or do we just go along with what we're told we want? Are we, (and I can offer no reliable percentage of numbers), as "The Kinks" sang about,just a "Dedicated Follower of Fashion"?
As one of the "Great Unwashed" I'm just happy to be able to purchase, for a reasonable price a reliable running ,(hopefully) highly detailed steam locomotive that I can marvel at as it runs around the layout. So the detail is wrong but as I have never and am highly unlikely to ever see the prototype, I enjoy what I see. As long as it is lettered for my favourite railroad, even if they never had that loco let alone that particular wheel arrangement, do I care? "Ignorance is Bliss".
Prototype fidelity has long been a problem for "serious" modelers, (now I do feel like I'm trying to teach my Grandmother how to suck eggs ) which been addressed by those modelers by kit bashing or scratch building their specific engine/ rolling stock for their specific railroad. I admire them.
Is our general lack of ability, our excuse of" lack of time", the need/ demand for" instant gratification" the actual cause for the hobby to go backwards?
Cheers, the Bear (or in this case. "the Sheep").
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
"JaBear" ATLANTIC CENTRALThere is often much conversation on this forum about proto specific, high detail models and how that is what most modelers appear to want these days. Gidday Sheldon, do we really know what we actually want or do we just go along with what we're told we want? Are we, (and I can offer no reliable percentage of numbers), as "The Kinks" sang about,just a "Dedicated Follower of Fashion"? As one of the "Great Unwashed" I'm just happy to be able to purchase, for a reasonable price a reliable running ,(hopefully) highly detailed steam locomotive that I can marvel at as it runs around the layout. So the detail is wrong but as I have never and am highly unlikely to ever see the prototype, I enjoy what I see. As long as it is lettered for my favourite railroad, even if they never had that loco let alone that particular wheel arrangement, do I care? "Ignorance is Bliss". Prototype fidelity has long been a problem for "serious" modelers, (now I do feel like I'm trying to teach my Grandmother how to suck eggs ) which been addressed by those modelers by kit bashing or scratch building their specific engine/ rolling stock for their specific railroad. I admire them. Is our general lack of ability, our excuse of" lack of time", the need/ demand for" instant gratification" the actual cause for the hobby to go backwards? Cheers, the Bear (or in this case. "the Sheep").
For some of us, there is no doubt you are correct. And please understand, I am not a rivet counting extremist by any means.
My primary points with this include the fact that some of these manufacturers have told how "dedicated" they are to prototype fidelity in an effort to win our business - then we get this, even the simplest details are over looked.
I agree with all the posters who have suggested that many modelers don't really care, and that the interests and goals of modelers are more varied and diverse than ever.
I do also believe, that the introduction of sound has shifted some focus away from prototype fidelity and detail. Maybe not intentionally, but in deciding how to invest money in their products, where is BLI going to cut corners first? Not in the sound/DCC department, their whole original marketing concept is based on sound - same with MTH.
It has only been with reluctance and a need to make money that either company has ever offered products without sound and DCC.
And, admittedly, my bias is in the other direction since I don't use DCC or sound.
While I surely would like a nice, accurate model of a B&O P7 without buying some old piece of brass and revamping it, I would have been very happy if the BLI piece was just a little closer - and even happier if it had been offered without sound for $75 less. As it is I will just do the one for the ATLANTIC CENTRAL and let it be - maybe one day.
At the beginning of this "golden age" of detailed models that began with Spectrum and Proto2000, it was all about the detail, but now we hear stuff like "the little parts are too fragile".
The HO side of the hobby has definitely splintered into at least four or five "camps" that have widely different interests and goals - and the manufacturers don't always know which way to go.
One other note about this.
There have been several posters who suggested in one way or another that few people really care because few people today model steam, or that they have never seen a steam loco in real life to know or care.
Well maybe, and maybe I'm the exception, but I never saw a steam loco in revenue service when I was child or young adult - I'm too young and lived in the wrong place to see the last few.
But I choose to model a time before my birth, and have since seen lots of steam in "tourist" service and on display. And then there is the Internet, full of pictures of our past. And those old fashioned things called books - it realy is not that hard to know what steam was like - if you have the interest.
I am one of the posters who made the "don't care" comment about prototypicality on steamers.
I am old enough to have witnessed steam in operaton, living just a few doors away from the GTW main line in Chicago. And, I model some steam engines on my layout.
Still, I don't care all that much about the correctness of the boiler or other such detail as long as it somewhat resembles, maybe closely resembles, the real thing.
Rich
Alton Junction
This subject is nearly as old as dirt - seen it in 50+ year old magazines even.
Part of the issue is part of how diesels overcame steam int he first place - steam locos WERE mostly custom jobs. Sure companies like Baldwin had their 'catalog' locos but other than small market builds, most railroads had them customized to their specific designs. Even the supposed 'standard' USRA designs - Railroad X may have gotten exact USRA designs, but Railroad Y got them with say a modified trailer truck. And 5 years later, Railroad X had modified all theirs with some new appliance. So we get 'average' models with some of the easily swapped detail parts modified per road name as needed, but the basic boiler and chassis remains the same.Sure there's some demand for absolute accuracy, but the volume is definitely too low to make such things in plastic tooling. There's still a market for brass, which can pull off that level of detail.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker This subject is nearly as old as dirt - seen it in 50+ year old magazines even. Part of the issue is part of how diesels overcame steam int he first place - steam locos WERE mostly custom jobs. Sure companies like Baldwin had their 'catalog' locos but other than small market builds, most railroads had them customized to their specific designs. Even the supposed 'standard' USRA designs - Railroad X may have gotten exact USRA designs, but Railroad Y got them with say a modified trailer truck. And 5 years later, Railroad X had modified all theirs with some new appliance. So we get 'average' models with some of the easily swapped detail parts modified per road name as needed, but the basic boiler and chassis remains the same.Sure there's some demand for absolute accuracy, but the volume is definitely too low to make such things in plastic tooling. There's still a market for brass, which can pull off that level of detail. --Randy
Randy, I'm not expecting absolute accuracy by any measure.
I said in the beginning of this thread that I would even overlook the wrong boiler and incorrect driver size if simple signature details like the bell and headlight location and the Delta trailing truck were correct.
I have long advocated the production of steam loco models that could be easily adapted to represent lots of different prototypes and that the manufacturers could easily do this.
Bachmann has shown us it is possible, and at least for while, they did it on a moderately large scale with a number of models.
Broadway could have done it with these Mikado's and Pacific's. Later I will see if I can get some pictures up of my modified BLI Mikes and Pacific
Bachmann put three different headlights, two different cabs, tenders, sand domes, and pilots on its Berkshire to get four versions of three different roadnames. And they could have done even more. With one more sand/steam dome setup they could have done the Virginian Berks. With the same parts they have they could have done both early and late PM versions (I'm sure a few PM modelers have already done that).
I really do believe that in this RTR market, they could increase sales with these small extras. Once you have a 63" driver Mikado and a 73" driver Pacific frame/mechanism there are endless locos you could make with just different boilers and different detail parts.
Would they all be "perfect" - no, but many would be a lot closer than anything we ever had before in an affordable model.
Hmm, the review of the BLI Heavy Pacific went out of the way to mention it had the correct trrailing truck - the Delta was a later addition by the railroad, the model is an as-built. Shouldn;t be too difficult for them to get a Delta trailing truck tooled up and then offer later variations as well as some that may have had the Delta as-built. They've done it in the past, releasing a series of models done either as the as-built or a later in life version, then come back to the same model and released a different variation.
rrinker Hmm, the review of the BLI Heavy Pacific went out of the way to mention it had the correct trrailing truck - the Delta was a later addition by the railroad, the model is an as-built. Shouldn;t be too difficult for them to get a Delta trailing truck tooled up and then offer later variations as well as some that may have had the Delta as-built. They've done it in the past, releasing a series of models done either as the as-built or a later in life version, then come back to the same model and released a different variation. --Randy
Agreed, but they painted it in B&O Green. The B&O locos were not USRA locos, they were USRA clones built in 1927 WITH Delta trailing trucks.
rrinker They've done it in the past, releasing a series of models done either as the as-built or a later in life version, then come back to the same model and released a different variation.
They've done it in the past, releasing a series of models done either as the as-built or a later in life version, then come back to the same model and released a different variation.
Yep, the new T1 is an example of that...
As delivered:
Modified:
The original release was of the latter. Now they offer both types.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Tom, my point exactly. I'm not even asking for that level of accuracy - but of course the model in question is not some flashy, rare, out of the ordinary monster.
But rather just one of the most visable, day to day, successful and longest lasting 20 locos in the Mid Atlantic region on America's first railroad. That pulled all sorts of famous and not so famous passenger trains out of important cities like Washington, Batlimore, Philly, New York, Chicago, etc, etc.
But I know the real problem - If one of these plastic manufacturers actually made a good P7, they would be pressured to make some of those unique B&O passenger cars to go with it.
Passenger cars are generally more "custom built" than steam locos were - another prototype "accuracy" topic for another day.
Sheldon,
It gets back again to speaking with your wallet. If Manufacturer A doesn't manufacture a given model to your satisfaction but you can reasonably modify it with not a lot of effort, then it makes sense to buy and modify it. If it does take a considerable amount of effort or you just don't want to go to the effort of modifying it, then it makes sense NOT to buy it. Your options? You can either ask Manufacturer A to offer the said modifications for a possible future release...or wait until Manufacturer B comes out with a close enough proximity of the given model.
Although I haven't looked at the model very closely, the only Bachmann NYC steamer that I could reasonably buy without needing MAJOR modifications is one of their Niagaras. However, since I already have a BLI Blueline Niagara (that will do 0.5 sMPH on speed step 001), I have no need or desire for another one - at present.
BLI has more than met my need in regards of obtaining good to very good models for my NYC roster. Despite needing some tweaking, they've generally performed well. Until Bachmann releases an NYC model to my liking, I'll keep buying my locomotives from BLI.
Sheldon - I fully understand your point. For the price we have to pay for those "mass-produced" models nowadays, we can except them to be fair representations of their prototype. Given the vast amount of variations possible, this is nearly a hopeless task for any manufacturer.
I am afraid we will have to live with those foobies, unless we are prepared to honor the extra effort with a steep surcharge to the price.
Being a detail fanatic myself, I had a hard time to redirect my thinking. My eyes are beginning to age, making it impossible to see all those details out of a normal viewing distance. I need to take close-up shots to see most of what I paid for. I have learned to settle with less detail, but traded that in for more a overall atmosphere and authenticity of my layout. I no longer care that the HO cop on the street wears the wrong badge
Sir Madog I no longer care that the HO cop on the street wears the wrong badge
I no longer care that the HO cop on the street wears the wrong badge
Ulrich,
And you call yourself a model railroader. Slacker.
tstage Sheldon, It gets back again to speaking with your wallet. If Manufacturer A doesn't manufacture a given model to your satisfaction but you can reasonably modify it with not a lot of effort, then it makes sense to buy and modify it. If it does take a considerable amount of effort or you just don't want to go to the effort of modifying it, then it makes sense NOT to buy it. Your options? You can either ask Manufacturer A to offer the said modifications for a possible future release...or wait until Manufacturer B comes out with a close enough proximity of the given model. Although I haven't looked at the model very closely, the only Bachmann NYC steamer that I could reasonably buy without needing MAJOR modifications is one of their Niagaras. However, since I already have a BLI Blueline Niagara (that will do 0.5 sMPH on speed step 001), I have no need or desire for another one - at present. BLI has more than met my need in regards of obtaining good to very good models for my NYC roster. Despite needing some tweaking, they've generally performed well. Until Bachmann releases an NYC model to my liking, I'll keep buying my locomotives from BLI. Tom
Tom, I understand and agree completely. And that is why most of my steam locos are Bachmann.
I have no interest in PRR or NYC, prototypes. Or much else that Broadway has selected.
I have a few Broadway locos - two Reading T-1 4-8-4's, one N&W Class A 2-6-6-4, two USRA heavy Mikado's, and now one of these Pacific's - all lettered ATLANTIC CENTRAL. Most of the rest is either too "unique", or too "west coast" to fit my theme. And I don't buy any really long wheelbase monsters like the C&O 2-10-4.
And I only have that many of their locos because I freelance!
I also model the C&O, B&O and WM - and their offerings for those roads have been limited at best.
But over at Bachmann, good running affordable locos, without expensive sound decoders I have to remove, in "work a day" type locos that are well detailed, reasonably correct for my roads (or at least reasonable stand ins) and lots of extra parts for kit bashing.
Things like all the seperate tenders offered for years, extra Delta trailing trucks offered with locos and from the parts department, different versions that could be combined to make unique versions, and their focus on a full range of sizes and wheel arrangements rather than just mostly "famous mosters" have made them a winner for me.
Four of those six BLI locos I do have - now have Bachmann tenders so they fit into the fleet better.
Bachmann seems interested in modelers like me - Broadway does not.
So here on the ATLANTIC CENTRAL Bachmann wins at a rate of about 6 to 1.
I rather like doing the kit bashing to all of them, but I would sure be happy if things like the B&O Pacific could be just "out of the box" ready and if some variation of "factory parts" helped with some projects like it does with Bachmann.
Here is one more good example for you. All these Broadway locos now come with DCC and sound. But What if the prototype you want to kit bash it to has a different tender? Even if you want the DCC and sound it is a major project with Broadway because you have to adapt some other brand of tender for sure. With Bachmann there is a large selection of tenders, and even though not in production right now, most are still available out there in the market place or from the parts department.
And did not even mention that the tender on the BLI Pacific is too short for the B&O - I would let that go too if the other stuff was right.
Someone asked earlier about Spectrum engines and problems caused by bad engineering or why you can't just change this or that. Sometimes it is a clearance issue, hole to mount y rear truck works because it was designed that way, x truck dose not because it now hits detail or dose something like derail backing up do to it being too close to drivers or -------, you get the idea. Even such things as packaging, a loco with x truck needs new design of packaging. As far as bad design, springs that are too stiff or not stiff enough, clearance issues, biggest one is wiring, on many I had to stuff the excess back into the shell as that what was causing derailments, only discovered that because I had one of a type that ran perfectly and two that would derail, went over with a fine tooth comb to find differences, this was the only difference and the reason for this part is little things can mess with the reliability of a steam engine, they can be quite fickle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tstage Sir Madog I no longer care that the HO cop on the street wears the wrong badge Ulrich, And you call yourself a model railroader. Slacker. Tom
Tom - objection, your honor. I gave up on calling myself a model railroader. I think of myself as an illusionist, creating miniatures worlds, where railroads just happen to be a focus.
Court adjourned, Mr. Madog...You're free to go.
After a quick wade through all this, I think my answer to Sheldon is, no, we are marking time. You still get what you want from Bachmann, or at least what you're willing to pay for, and even MTH is apparently still doing pretty well in the market to which it caters. BLI is pumping out locmotives at an almost alarming rate suddenly, and I think they're doing pretty well for themselves.
Ergo, not going backwards, just marking time. And if everyone can find a way to have fun buying what appeals to them, whether from Bachmann or MTH, or still finding the materials to bash or scratch their own, the hobby can't be losing much ground.
Crandell
Edited - corrected 'back' to 'bash'
selector And if everyone can find a way to have fun buying what appeals to them, whether from Bachmann or MTH, or still finding the materials to back or scratch their own, the hobby can't be losing much ground. Crandell
And if everyone can find a way to have fun buying what appeals to them, whether from Bachmann or MTH, or still finding the materials to back or scratch their own, the hobby can't be losing much ground.
That about sums up the hobby..
Find your interest and have a go at it..If its kit building,that's your enjoyment..If its wanting 110% correct models that's your enjoyment.If its buying RTR and operation is your goal then that's your fun..The list is endless on the direction we can go in the hobby..Nobody will fault you for choosing the path you take in the hobby.
Like Crandell said buy what appeals to you and have fun..
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Guess I am lucky and a number of others, too, I would imagine. I have to pay top dollar for high scale, detailed C-19 consols and K-27 mikes and do my best to destroy their proto nature, (rip off a pilot and redo or alter original looks to be realistic to my fanatsy road or make excuses about leasing motive power from the D&RGW, RGS, etc.
I did this with Y6b's on my old HO pike wrecking their identity as much as possible with cal-scale stuff once I ripped off the proto goodies.
Still, I feel sorry for the guys who want proto and don't get it.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
narrow gauge nuclear Guess I am lucky and a number of others, too, I would imagine. I have to pay top dollar for high scale, detailed C-19 consols and K-27 mikes and do my best to destroy their proto nature, (rip off a pilot and redo or alter original looks to be realistic to my fanatsy road or make excuses about leasing motive power from the D&RGW, RGS, etc. I did this with Y6b's on my old HO pike wrecking their identity as much as possible with cal-scale stuff once I ripped off the proto goodies. Still, I feel sorry for the guys who want proto and don't get it. Richard
I actually do the same thing for my ATLANTIC CENTRAL stuff to give it home road identity.
But I do like the B&O, C&O and WM stuff to be reasonably close to correct.
Like you, I model mostly steam, my cutoff date is 1950. I have 6 steamers to every diesel. Most of the diesels are painted for other proto roads, or my shortline. IIRC, I have only 3 diesels in SRR livery. One of these will have to be re-painted back to the color it would have been in 1950.
But after all the discussion about the cost of tooling up for a correct Delta truck, wouldn't the delta truck off of the K4 work? Is there something special about it that prevents it from being used? Seems to me that since they have the K4, they have the tooling already. What's the hold-up?
Most of my steamers are brass, not because of the details, or their running abilities, its because these are the only way to get engines that are correct for the Southern. The are, however 3 exceptions, The Bachmann 2-10-2, light 4-8-2, and believe it or not, the Spectrum 4-4-0, in SRR livery is a match for the same engine its numbered.
I have no problem buying a loco that is close, as I do re-detail many of my locos, even the brass ones.
Overall I totally agree with your original point. Even to me, a major detail like the trailing truck, I feel that the detail should match the loco during most of its service life. If that means using another truck different from the "as-built", then so be it. I have never seen a pic of the B&O pacific that you were referring to, with a USRA trailing truck. They were all Deltas.
Carey
Keep it between the Rails
Alabama Central Homepage
Nara member #128
NMRA &SER Life member
PackerIf you changed your 2-snubber sideframes for 1-snubbers, what did you do with the 2-snubber sideframes?
Okay, I found the set of side frames. Took me less time than I thought. They are the 2-snubber variety.
I'll send you a PM.
Carey,
Thanks for your thoughts. Actually, the PRR trailing truck is not a Commonwealth built Delta, it is the PRR's own hybrid design. And if you look closely at them you will see several differences.
The "arms" of the Delta are straight. The arms of the PRR design have downward "bow" in them.
And in prototype application they work differently. Delta trailing trucks support the rear of the loco at the rear of the trailing truck - two big rollers ride on a cross plate under the very end of the frame at the back of the firebox.
The PRR design actually supports the frame on the arms, in front of the trailing truck axle, like a lever. If you look close at a K4 you can see the plate on the frame that rides on a matching plate on the arms of the truck.
I used Delta trailing trucks from the original Athearn Genesis Pacific's for both my BLI Mikes and the Pacific. I will try to get some photos up soon.
Yes, the point is it would have been pretty easy for them to get that part right, and the availability of that alternate part may have driven a lot of sales - who knows.
Thanks for the differences in the K4 truck and the "regular" Delta truck. I'm not a PRR fan, as every engine that has a trailing truck on the SRR, had Cole/USRA trucks. So I don't pay attention to really what other "peripheral" RRs really do. I'm somewhat familiar with the B&O, as at one time I was going to model that road and started researching. But nothing ever came of it. I think I was 12.
Oh, a thought! How about the Delta's on older AHM/Rivarossi & Mantua engines? There are always junkers on evil bay, and the other swap sites.
You will probably have to kitbash the attachment point.