Was the Saddle Tank version of Bachman’s large scale Porter ever get the Spectrum upgrade? I have the Side Tank version and with a few mods it makes a nice switcher and makes my 1:22ish Jackson Sharpe coaches fit my FN3 railroad. I need a second 0-4-0 for switch duties at the South end of the indoor where only a non-tender loco can get a car into the industries. I know they aren’t current but I’d start looking if the cabs are sized similarly.
They are the same cab, just wooden sided.
Every one I’ve ever seen had a steel cab.
Joe - Thank you. That picture answers all my questions. Now to find one (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-money-mouth.gif)
Edit to add: Ima gonna steal that pic for a WTB post. Hope you don’t mind.
Jon,
The picture came from Google images.
When I got my Spectrum Porter I opted for the side tank model for a place to put the batteries for a radio control conversion. I do love the looks of the saddle tank locos though, so I purchased a USA Trains Docksider 0-6-0.
The 0-6-0 is 1:29, so I think it would be a bit small for me without some bashing. That is a good fall-back if I can’t find a Porter. I think you know I have a Side Tank Porter too since we discussed battery-R/C install some years ago. I love mine for small equipment moves and switching my R1 districts.
Jon,
This is one of our favorites…my daughters always ask to run it. The only thing to be careful with it is the headlamp…(breaks right off).
Rocky Canyonero said:
Jon,
This is one of our favorites…my daughters always ask to run it. The only thing to be careful with it is the headlamp…(breaks right off).
I guess it’s a pretty common problem when a search for images of one finds this in the top of the results…
Looks like it’s only attached with two small pins (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Yeah…mine came like that when i bought it used. I applied some Loc-tite super glue gel 5-6 years ago and its held up just fine.
I really love what Kevin Strong did with his. From his post of 2010 over on MLS…
Jon Radder said:
The 0-6-0 is 1:29, so I think it would be a bit small for me without some bashing. That is a good fall-back if I can’t find a Porter. I think you know I have a Side Tank Porter too since we discussed battery-R/C install some years ago. I love mine for small equipment moves and switching my R1 districts.
Jon,
Yes you were very helpful when I converted mine. It is now my second most used loco. The most used one is a battery/radio converted Bachmann Davenport. They are my go-to switchers. (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
It is seen at the beginning of this short video hauling the work train. https://youtu.be/0aSWdtgrSdE
Rocky Canyonero said:
Yeah…mine came like that when i bought it used. I applied some Loc-tite super glue gel 5-6 years ago and its held up just fine.
I liked the photo Jeff! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Jon,
Did you finally get your saddle tank Porter from Nico? Is it going to be converted to radio/battery? How about a picture? (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Not yet. I’m not in a hurry and didn’t want to pay for shipping, so I plan on going to his clubs Christmas display and pick it up there in early December. Just have to remind him to bring it.
It will get battery & R/C control. I’m thinking of trying to do something similar to Kevin’s bash of Rockhill #2. That may be the kiss of death as my Connie bash is still in pieces for over two years.
Joe Zullo said:
Jon,
Did you finally get your saddle tank Porter from Nico? Is it going to be converted to radio/battery? How about a picture? (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Marilyn and I drove down to Stroudsburg today to check out the Pocono club’s Christmas display and pick up the Porter. The thought was to avoid paying shipping, but I probably spent three times what it would have cost to ship on this 6 hour day trip. I was thinking we’d stop at McDonald’s for Breakfast, but Marilyn suggested there was a Cracker Barrel on the way. I am a sucker for suggestion and I love their food, so we dropped $25 on breakfast. Another $20 in Shawn’s backyard for cheap gas, and $25 more for lunch/dinner on the way home. I could have got a second locomotive for not much more (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)But it was a fun drive through the Delaware River Nat. Recreation Area on the way down. Got to see some of PA I’ve never been to and had some great food on the way. To top it off I got home in time to get a lot of the leaves piled in my back yard mulched up with the mower.
As far as the Porter goes, it definitely needs some work before going into service. Some type of battery-R/C control needs to be installed, sound would be nice too. I am seriously considering putting it under the knife to shorten the tank like Kevin’s Rockhill #2. I also need to do the same pilot and rear end mod I did on #3 to get couplers mounted at my standard height.
The drive train is not as smooth as my side tank version. I spent some time with the bottom cover off trying to see if it was something I could correct. It surges a bit. The best I can determine is that the wheels are not perfectly true; or perhaps the quartering is off just a tad; or maybe the crosshead guides are binding a little. I can’t quite tell. It’s not a show stopper, so unless I figure out what’s happening and can fix it; I will just live with it,
You want a picture - Here it is it’s already apart to see what kind of room is available for sound, battery and R/C…
Jon,
A year has passed now. Did you ever get the Porter saddle tank project completed? (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Geeze, the pressure is just overwhelming (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
I used this loco as a test bed for Martin Sant’s bluetooth widget for several months with the boiler shell off. After that was done it went into a plastic bag to keep it clean and on the shelf. Summer happened and no time for train projects. Now that it is cold outside I have more inside time, but lately have been dealing with house electrical projects.
Bottom line - no. Still not done and not on the list for the near future. Just another loco apart waiting to be finished. I have a 2-8-0 that’s been in mid conversion for 3 years or so (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)
Ask me again in three months and I’ll dream up some more excuses!
Jon,
I ask again NEXT year! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Jon,
I am curious about the “surging.” Were you able to resolve it? We have the B’mann 2-4-2, which seems to be a stretched version of their various Porters. When we apply power, it is like a speed boat. She “settles by the stern and surges forward,” leveling out as she comes to cruising speed. I had been considering adding a bit of weight over the forward wheels, but didn’t want to fix an annoyance and kill the loco.
Thanks!
Eric
Hi Eric - I never attempted any fix. When I started testing Martin’s R/C system it seemed pretty smooth from what I remember. Initial tests were on track power so it may have been a power pickup issue.