Took my new Bachmann Emily to her first train show today, and her first run. Most satisfactory.
First off, she runs nicely on R2 curves (Aristo 5’ diameter, to be precise) and through the curved leg of LGB R1 turnouts (facing and trailing; no S-bend). There was a delicate flange squeal on the curves, but that might be the six-wheel coach behind Emily’s tender. I must run her light engine to find out.
The sight of those big drivers turning in stately fashion even at a fair pace is rather nice. She takes very little throttle to pick up her stride.
Emily proved to be a popular attraction; one of my acquaintances watched her for a while and then popped across the aisle and bought one from my neighbourhood pusher. And the kids have obviously been watching her on TV, and were happy to see her “in the flesh”.
The reason for the flangeless, slightly smaller diameter centre wheels on Emily’s tender and six-wheel coaches has become obvious. On R2 curves (and more so on R1), those wheels leave the rails entirely and hang in empty air. Incidentally, the tender centre wheels catch any slight “bumps” in the track and turn for a few revolutions, which is amusing, but I find that even when they aren’t moving, the general appearance is OK. The eye sees what it wants to see.
Nor does Emily’s front truck jar the eye. If you look from the front on a curve, it is clear that the front wheels have moved aside and the second pair have not, but from the side (especially on the inside of the curve), it isn’t obvious at all.
The straight connecting rods are nice, as opposed to the cranked horrors on Bachmann’s Percy. You have to look very closely to see that they are mounted on rather large bosses on the driving wheels. I would give Emily an A for appearance.
Emily and three coaches are just about 6 feet long, so they do stay in the clear in my 7-foot-plus passing loops. Percy and five trucks are almost the same length, so the two trains make a good match.
All in all, I’m happy.