Maybe Bachmann will improve and release C&O 1309???
PRR8259 Maybe Bachmann will improve and release C&O 1309???
I don't know what there would be to "improve", but they would have to make some detail changes to make an accurate 1309. The previous models are the H5 USRA design and the earlier H4 (with a few very small errors).
You have to give Bachmann credit for their efforts to offer variety, get reasonably close to prototype details, and offer affordable, good running models.
Have there been a few been duds or semi duds? Sure. Some brass are duds........
Is every Bachmann loco spot on for every roadname offered? No.
BUT, at least they can build a USRA Mikado and Pacific and change basic obvious details like trailing trucks, headlights, bells, tenders to get close. Are you listening BLI?
If you look at the Spectrum USRA/H4 2-6-6-2 (4 versions), USRA 4-8-2 Heavy (3 versions + options) and the USRA 2-10-2 Light (7 versions), they went to great lengths to offer a wide selection of proto correct versions, in roadnames seldom modeled at all in mass produced locos.
Similar facts are true of the Russian 2-10-0, 4-6-0, shays, K4's, etc.
But such efforts are ignored by many because it does not happen to be what they want..........
Even the "generic" but well detailed 2-8-0 had a stephenson valve gear version and number of different tenders when it was a Spectrum model.
And for those of us who kit bash or freelance, Bachmann has been a gold mine in the last 20 years.
Seperate tenders that interchange on many of their models, common parts that interchange from model to model, A parts department with well explained pictures and parts list online, and more.
Here is a perfect example, my ATLANTIC CENTRAL 2-6-6-2's (three of them) include Bachmann V16 tenders (offered seperately and on the 4-8-2H) and Delta trailing trucks also offered with later production 4-8-2H locos. Both the tender and the trailing truck transplanted to the 2-6-6-2 without needing any modifications.
Just one of many such projects.
I have used Bachmann tenders behind countless other locos to, in my case, provide a family look to the ATLANTIC CENTRAL fleet, including some brass and a number of BLI locos.
Enough for now,
Sheldon
Beautiful model, Sheldon!
JOHN C TARANTO Beautiful model, Sheldon!
Thank you for the kind words John.
PS - And, the beauty of that locomotive is that I created it for the some total investment of about $175.00 - a result of careful shopping and luck.
...stupid B-units are always brass, grumble, grumble....
Julian
Modeling Pre-WP merger UP (1974-81)
fieryturbo ...stupid B-units are always brass, grumble, grumble....
Except for Bachmann, BLI, Athearn, Bowser, Intermountain...... so not always.
BMMECNYC fieryturbo ...stupid B-units are always brass, grumble, grumble.... Except for Bachmann, BLI, Athearn, Bowser, Intermountain...... so not always.
Also Rapido, Fox Valley, Walthers (Mainline and Proto).. Okay thats all the non-brass B units I could find in the 2017 Walthers Catalog.
Modeling steam even of such a "common" road like the Santa Fe is difficult if your space is restricted. Compounding the problem is the fact that the Santa Fe did not use the USRA standards; many of the offerings labeled "Santa Fe" are foobies. In "plastic", BLI has produced the 3751 class 4-8-4s and the 3800 class 2-10-2s and 2-10-4s. These are all rather large engines, and (even in "plastic") restricted to radii of 22" or more. The Bachmann Spectrum "Russian Decapod" 2-10-0, which is a beautiful little engine and runs on 18" radii, is a pretty good representation of three locos that the Santa Fe inherited from the KCMO; however, they did not stay on the roster for very long (only until 1936). Now, the Santa Fe community is eagerly awaiting the 4000 class 2-8-2s announced by BLI.
It seems to be counterintuitive, but if you model steam on the Santa Fe and are restricted in space, your best option might be brass. In 2004, Division Point produced 100 class 885 2-8-2s and some more (I tried to get the precise number from Jack Vansworth, the DP owner, but he was evasive) class 900 and 1600 2-10-2s. The 2-8-2s are handling 18" curves easily, the 2-10-2s run well on 22" curves. And of course, they all look gorgeous...