Large Scale Central

Bachmann mallet prototype

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

I did a bit of research and found a few things. However, I’m not saying my research is iron clad. Just what I’ve found out so far.

Aside from the two Uintahs, which were simple articulates as we all know, and completely different locos, Baldwin only built one mallet in narrow gauge for export to south or central America.
Only one other narrow gauge mallet for US use was in the works, but the owner canceled it.

All the others were standard gauge. And therefore should be 1/32 scale.

Here is the last operating unit in the US. The rest are static.
http://www.1880train.com/
http://loggingmallets.railfan.net/list/list.htm

So, has Bachmann gone south of the border for another model?
(The Mexican Connie was the first.)

I ain’t complaining. I just find this interesting.

#2

Umm No…its based on the ‘never built’ plans…

http://loggingmallets.railfan.net/list/prop/bilescoleman.htm

#3

Well, I guess that Potlatch Lumber Company #24 will find a home on the Washington, Idaho and Montana Railway Company in the near future. Funny, Until just a few moments ago, I had no interest in Botch Mons latest submission. Now, I just gotta have one.

#4

I would love to have one: Just need to get paid for some of the work I’ve done this year!! Finding some work to do in the new year would be good too.

Note that in the U.S. prototype 3’ gauge world, this locomotive represented a late model advanced design. It was to deliver in 1929 or '30, so was designed very late in U.S. NG steam logging RR era.

Its specialized design included small drivers, high operating pressure and articulation to accomplish the difficult logging railroad tasks previously done with either geared or very small rod engines. Note also that it was to burn oil rather than wood. Good modern design and engineering for 1929. Even though no prototypes were built, it’s still a very valid model based on what was actually specified and proposed ~80 years ago.

I just hope our Country’s current financial crash doesn’t affect sales of the the model as I can imagine the 1929 crash almost certainly affected the acquisition of the prototype by B&C.

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#5

While, I very much liked the photographs of Bachmann’s ‘prototype’ model, I find the recent consumer web photographs to be very toylike. In the B’mann prototype photo, the locomotive appeared quite ‘muscular and masculine’.

#6

Guys
Your getting carried away !!
The facts are - these model locos were built from plans which Baldwin made for the Biles Coleman Logging Co.

The company never built them, but the models are replicas of the plans.

Mine run well, the saddle tanks are hollow tanks which are fitted by a couple of screws - they will easily detach.

You can rebuild them into whatever you wish - but Bachmann have given us a great starting point
Graham

#7

Yes, Graham, they are nice units.

You could pretend they are articulated and have a double chuff sound system, or compound and have just a single chuff.
They could be used in any way the owner desires.

A nice addition to the Bachmann logging stable.
Let us hope they operate as good as they look, without a complete re-build by the owner.

#8

Oh - I think they will be fine John, not only do they look good, they also run well.
I havnt had time to initial service mine yet - but will do this weekend.
The sound system on them is seriously good, and they look nice articulated.
Mine will be used on my Jane Creek Logging - where they will operate, moving finished stock out of my sawmill.
Above them will operate a 2 truck and a 3 truck Shay and also a Porter (LGb)
They are indeed a nice addition to a logging stable, and I dont think they will need a complete rebuild - although its like everything else, not everyone will be happy with them
Graham

#9

Remember that the prototype photos left off the white tires and wheels, and a lot of the white lining. That’s going to go a long way toward making it look bigger and meaner. (Compare: See the one in the video, also painted and unlettered.) Funny thing is, I know some guys who found that to be true of the prototype locomotives as well … the less “circus paint” the better… at least for post 1900 stuff.

Also helps if you have good figures, etc in the photo …

As to prototype, that one in South Dakota is a whole lot larger than this would be… though one can theorize that the outline would be similar, and therefore using one as an example of how to flesh out the simple drawings in the order into an actual locomotive might be a good plan of attack.

Matthew (OV)

#10

Oh, and come to think of it…

I would like very much to see a photo of one of these next to a Shay or a 2-8-0 or a K-27 just by way of size comparison (and, come to think of it, next to a 2-6-0 “Indy”) …

Matthew (OV)

#11

Graham, if you will forward one of your units to Carlyle, I’ll take those pictures for Matt. He needs us to help him with his questions. :wink:

#12

Little Jonny Miller posted a few pics here:

http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,7569.15.html

seems to me the cab on the Annie towers above the Meyer as does the Shay…can’t see the Meyer vs. Connie cab is it a bad photo or is it meant to leave out the cabs so one can compare?

wait, did I just see a Black Helicopter fly over my house?

weird…
cale

#13

Maybe it’s just the poor angle of the pics, but it sure looks a lot smaller than I’d thought it was.

#14

Me too Ray.

I does appear smaller than I would have thought.

That is probably a good thing in many respects. Makes it easier to carry it around.

#15

Well, I think it depends on how big you thought it would be.

Outlinewise, this thing looks a lot like Weyerheuser 110. So, we’ve all been looking at photos of that locomotive… and now this one looks REALLY small…because the 110 is really LARGE.

On the other hand, folks looked at the Connie 2-8-0 (before there was a K) and thought, Gee, that’s big… when compared to the Annie, and other smaller models, even though in real life it’s really quite a tiny little beast. ( see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw0aq8EgGS0 ) which the Annie prototype would really dwarf.

From everything I’ve been able to gather, the boiler and cab are very similar in diameter and width to the 2-8-0 (though the 2-8-0 cab is wider) and the model is 24" long over the end beams, or thereabouts.

If you postulate that the Biles Coleman would have been a small mallet with the general physical outline of its larger cousins ( for an in depth discussion of this kind of problem, see my various dissertations on 45 tonners and other center cab diesels of varying size but similar outlines) and should scale out nicely as a SMALL articulated locomotive in 1:20.3.

Some different angles, and better figure choices in those photos would probably illustrate that quite nicely.

Matthew (OV)