Large Scale Central

Bachmann's 'Emily'.........room for improvement?

General Discussion
#1

I just posted THIS on the UK Gauge 1 forum…

Well, Gentlemen, irrespective of what you actually think about it, if anything at all, Bachmann’s ‘Thomas & Friends’ version of Patrick Stirling’s beautiful 8ft single are in the stores in Canada and the US of A, and selling out like mad things.

Which prompts me to ask a couple of questions, based on the fact that, with the exception of Aster’s beautiful and iconic live-steamer, there is, AFAIK, no other large-scale model of this locomotive available as a mass-produced item.

Sure, it’s a toy, and has a number of toy-like features, but there are many of us out there who can live with it as it comes, but wish that there were a few things to make it more scale-model-like - fer’instance, those spiffy see-through splashers that were so much a feature of this loco, and a set of backhead fittings to replicate the rather simple and featureless model’s version. AND, of course, a proper smokebox front to replace the rather gloopy-looking character face.

What I’m TRYING hard to find out, without causing any kind of conniption or offence on this august and decidedly NON-Thomas site, is if there is anybody out there prepared to make suitable etches to accomplish this requirement? And backhead fittings, perhaps in resin, as well as the much-needed smokebox door?

Seeing it on Youtube, moving in its stately manner, is very pleasing, whether or not you subscribe to the Thomas ethos or not, and I’m certain that it could form the bisis of a fine-looking model, regardless of the slight scale discrepancy. The matching six-wheel coaches, passenger and combine [?], are also pretty good value at less than £60 in UK. Again, much could be done to improve them, as well.

Thoughts, please, or should I go away and chastise myself for even thinking about it?

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS [OVGRS.org]
G1MRA #3641

#2

Michael Rayner at Smallbrook Studios has been doing some Thomas conversion kits. I wrote to ask him about this but have not received a reply.
http://www.smallbrookstudio.com/page7.php

#3
Quote:
What I'm TRYING hard to find out, without causing any kind of conniption or offence on this august and decidedly NON-Thomas site, is if there is anybody out there prepared to make suitable etches to accomplish this requirement? And backhead fittings, perhaps in resin, as well as the much-needed smokebox door?
Tac, as they only just arrived, I think you'll have to wait a few months until folk have time to see what can be done.

There are quite a few conversions aroun of the HO/OO model, including better splashers, so it can be done.

Yes, I’d like one too!

#4

Splashers… Fenders…

Two people separated by a common language. :stuck_out_tongue:

#5

Cars have fenders, boats have fenders, but locomotives have splashers. As the British were the inventors of the steam locomotive as we know it, Jim, I guess they can call them pretty much what they like to.

tac

#6

Guess I’ve been excommunicated from the serious game of Gauge 1 for daring to mention a model that was not hand-fettled out of scraps of metal used to decorate the harps of angels.

Gee whiz…

Well, right now I have to note that my DGAS-o-meter hasn’t even quivered off the stop…

tac, serious about having FUN with trains.

#7
tac said:
Guess I've been excommunicated from the serious game of Gauge 1 for daring to mention a model that was not hand-fettled out of scraps of metal used to decorate the harps of angels.

Gee whiz…

Well, right now I have to note that my DGAS-o-meter hasn’t even quivered off the stop…

tac, serious about having FUN with trains.


What did you say, now, Terry? :lol:

#8

Terry…if you are excomunicated, then where does that leave me…I bought an Emily…and am looking at adding details, when they become available.

#9

…I’m even thinking of purchasing two of thos coaches to put on the shelf with Emily…

#10
Fred Mills said:
....I'm even thinking of purchasing two of those coaches to put on the shelf with Emily....
I bought three :) Might even get around to installing compartment dividers and seats ... Cunning folk, those Bachmen: the coaches are actually four-wheelers; the centre wheels are not only flangeless, they're fractionally smaller diameter, so they don't touch the rails. Wimmenfolk are looking forward to seeing Emily on Thomas's Branch: a female loco that isn't a balky diseasel ...

Emily arrived today, courtesy of Fred Mills. Wimmenfolk are gaga, even before we get her out of the box – I think I’ll leave that for Christmas Day, just to pretend that Santa left something for little ol’ me.

#11

Chris…This is what is holding me back; I hear Emily’s tender is done the same way. I think this would drive me batty. Do you find it visually objectionable?

#12

Chris I bought two of the coaches at Marty’s from Kidman’s. The center axle of the tender is flange less and just barely does not touch the rail, but it is a VERY small gap, you have to hold it up at eye level on the rail to see it. I had not even noticed it, till you mentioned it. :slight_smile:
Chris, if you do interiors, please post about it and I may do the same, just for grins. Isn’t that what this is all about, to have fun?

#13
Quote:
The center axle of the tender is flange less and just barely does not touch
And the loco is apparently a 2-4-2, not a 4-4-0 as per prototype? My understanding is that the rear wheels are on a pivoting truck, and the front pair also pivot, but the two in back of the pilot (in front of the big driver) are fixed and driven by the motor. (That must have been a gearing headache for the engineer - and as they wear the slippage will get interesting.)
Quote:
the coaches are actually four-wheelers
My impression when they were first announced is that they are the same body as the old Annie & Clarabel coaches, but with clerestory roofs and the extra (fake) center wheels.

Incidentally, you’ll find a lot of photos online of the Single with a wooden coach with two trucks (bogies to Tac.) I did a photoshop of the 4-wheel coaches a while ago showing that they could be joined into a long coach.

#14
Mark V said:
Chris...This is what is holding me back; I hear Emily's tender is done the same way. I think this would drive me batty. Do you find it visually objectionable?
No, not objectionable; it is a [u]very[/u] small gap. I only noticed because I put a coach on a loose piece of track and held it up to my eyes. I can see why they did it: getting a six-wheeler around an R1 curve would be a ****. And no one in their right mind would attempt to develop a Cleminson system for kids to use.
#15
Jerry Barnes said:
Chris, if you do interiors, please post about it and I may do the same, just for grins. Isn't that what this is all about, to have fun?
In the morning, in the evening, ain't we got fun? I believe some chap in Blighty may have put out a set of gubbins to outfit Annie and Clarabel as proper non-corridor coaches; if these exist, they presumably would also fit the Emily stock. I shall have to inquire.
#16
Pete Thornton said:
the loco is apparently a 2-4-2, not a 4-4-0 as per prototype? My understanding is that the rear wheels are on a pivoting truck, and the front pair also pivot, but the two in back of the pilot (in front of the big driver) are fixed and driven by the motor. (That must have been a gearing headache for the engineer - and as they wear the slippage will get interesting.)
Yes, that must have taken a bit of calculation. I suspect that it will take quite a while for wheel wear to make a difference, unless you run the beast day in and day out.
#17
Quote:
a set of gubbins to outfit Annie and Clarabel as proper non-corridor coaches
I think GRS UK has coach parts. They used to supply a wooden seat moulding - you just cut off whatever length you needed!
#18

Any web sie for them Pete?

#19
Pete Thornton said:
Quote:
a set of gubbins to outfit Annie and Clarabel as proper non-corridor coaches
I think GRS UK has coach parts. They used to supply a wooden seat moulding - you just cut off whatever length you needed!
Back 2 Bay 6 has a set of partitions and seats for Annie/Clarabel that should fit the Emilies. OTOH, for the price you could probably make your own.

GRS = Garden Railway Specialists www.grsuk.com
Back 2 Bay 6 is another UK dealer www.back2bay6.net

#20
Quote:
Any web sie for them
Like what Chris says . . .