What do we think of this for a basher for my indoor. Remember 30" diameter curves. I am looking for a few small locos that can be used for the tight curves for the indoor. I have one B-mann lil big hauler for this. I was looking at these on Ebay as well as the LGB stienz (sp) both are small blocks that seem like they would make good building blocks and are relatively inexpensive.
Pluses, minuses, other options. I want to have an idea that way when they pop up dirt cheap I can get them.
That looks like the early version with plastic siderods and gears. I can’t say it’s high on my “recommend” list. The later versions with metal siderods and brass gears are much improved.
If you were looking for something cheap to have to run around the railroad without putting too much effort into it, I’d say go for it. However, if it’s something that you’re going to use as the basis for a fairly involved kitbash, I’d shy away. I’d hate to see you put a whole bunch of work into a model only to have the mechanics give up the ghost. I’m pretty sure the new version is revised to the point where you can’t simply swap out the old for the new chassis.
Later,
K
If it’s LGB, buy it.
I would stay away from the older Bachmann equipment – it might be cheap but there’s a reason it’s cheap. They just aren’t worth it.
I have a few of the Bachman Spectrum 0-4-0s that I run a great deal, I have found them to be good runners with no problems
I do have the cheap earlier one also, and while it seems to run fine, the all plastic rods, and the like make it doubtful it will be as good.
I would hold out for the Spectum 0-4-0 they are frequently under $100
Jerry
Thanks,
That’s just the info I need. All of these will be fairly involved kitbash scratch locos. So it will be important to put decent drives under them. The LGB is getting my attention because I know that people love them and they aren’t real pricey and almost always available.
Look for one of these Devon
Devon,
I have dabbled in these Bachmann 0-4-0s for sometime now. I have 5. Four are the version 2 with metal side rods, one is the Spectrum version.
If you need any more help or photos, please let me know.
If it has the metal siderods its a good one, if it has plastic siderods then they could go wonky at any time. The very earliest ones were the ones most prone to this. If you can get the 1:22.5 one with metal siderods, that’s the best one IMO. It has a pivoting front axle that runs better on rough track, the later 1/20.3 version eliminated this in favor of more room for internal electronics and is more prone to derailment on rough track as a result, also the 1/22.5 is about 15% smaller than the 1/20.3 version so it works and looks far better on small diameter curves.
My main concern on a 30" diameter curve will be couplers, these are fairly long for a small engine, that means overhang ALOT of overhang on 30" diameters. I dont use this engine on the pizza because it has so much overhang it jams into the scenery. But if you use the knuckle coupler, even though it pivots, it may still drag the trailing car off the rails due to the overhang putting the coupler so far out of line of the track center. If you use the 1/20 version your guaranteed to have issues with this on 30".
I prefer much smaller engines for 30" diameter. I use HLW Macks and 0-4-0s, LGB Porters and Bachmann Lil Big Haulers, also I use link/pin couplers with extended length links to compensate for the tightness of the curves. The biggest issue with couplers is too closely mounted and the corners of the cars will bang into each other on curves derailing the lot. You should be OK with Bachmann type knuckles on small cars but you may have to do a bit of experimentation on the layout to see what works best mounting wise.
Sean McGillicuddy said:
Look for one of these Devon
I do want one of these but not for what I am referring too. While it is a motor block yes, how would one make an internal framed steamer with drive and side rods? I guess I should have been more specific in that the locos I want to build will all be small logging/mining type steamers.
Vic,
I know you have mentioned the Lil Big Hauler and I have one just based on your recommendation. Forget the engine as a whole because I will chop up whatever I get. How much longer is the 1/22 version of this loco than the Lil Big Hauler. I am speaking to just the motor blocks. I would cut bash or otherwise build an entirely new cab and boiler. That will be true of any of them. I can’t leave them the way they are that would be. . .well. . .just wrong. One of the things that caught my eye with this and the LGB is that there is a drive ride unlike the Lil Big Hauler which will need to be added. I don’t mind doing that however.
If someone has a pic of the motor block minus the shell that would be useful.
Thanks,
thats the 1:20 version but I wonder if they have the 1/22 version. And how different are they in his regard. I’ll look
I can’t find old scematics
Devon,
I bet you could shove a mack drive into this lovely…
The tender is hinged at the draw bar.
There you go!
John
Thats a very cool loco.
Devon, I have the 2-4-2 Bachmann big hauler (laugh when you say that) Even with an extra pound of lead weight in her, she can’t haul enough to pay for the fuel (lectricity) she uses. And I know the drive train is being stressed close to the point of failure.
Since it’s a very similar drive in that loco, if not the same, don’t have high hopes for it Devon.
Now the spectrum one is a different story.
Joe Zullo said:
- Second, no version has metal gears. They are all plastic, nylon, delron etc.
I thought mine has brass gears, but maybe not. Been a while since I had it apart.
Later,
K
Brass gears? That would have to make it a new new spectrum, or something someone “improved” with “aftermarket” parts.
And I am not certain the new new spectrums have brass gears.
Kevin Strong said:
Joe Zullo said:
- Second, no version has metal gears. They are all plastic, nylon, delron etc.
I thought mine has brass gears, but maybe not. Been a while since I had it apart.
Later,
K
I assure you they are NOT brass gears. I take the bottom off to grease it and did so today. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
Thanks. I know Bachmann updated the 2-4-2 “Lyn” with brass gears; I was probably thinking they did these as well or just picturing that in my mind instead of the 0-4-0. They are, at least, far more reliable than the original 0-4-0s. I use mine as a “track clearer” on my railroad. It’s just got a simple “Critter Control” speed controler in it with a 7.4 volt battery. I’ll let it run around the railroad before an open house or something to clear all the debris and let me know which plants need to be trimmed back. It’s been known to get quite tangled in my oregano from time to time, with the wheels spinning gleefully all the while.
Later,
K
