Large Scale Central

Engine

General Discussion
#1

Im thinking about buying a new engine. Im not looking too spend a lot of money 300 or a little more something in the 1:22 scale range or anything that would work with this scale and something more on the logging/backwoods type… Here are two I really like but not sure what scale they are and quality. Dont hear people talk about it much the Hartland steam engines. The first is the 2-4-0

and the big john 0-4-4-0

The Bachmann annivers is another thought since I have the big hauler 10 wheeler. Any other thoughts that might work as well.

#2

Shawn said:
Im thinking about buying a new engine. Im not looking too spend a lot of money 300 or a little more something in the 1:22 scale range or anything that would work with this scale and something more on the logging/backwoods type… Here are two I really like but not sure what scale they are and quality. Dont hear people talk about it much the Hartland steam engines. The first is the 2-4-0

(http://www.h-l-w.com/products/Steam/Undec-Dutchess.jpg)

and the big john 0-4-4-0

(http://www.h-l-w.com/products/Steam/Undec-Big-John.jpg)

The Bachmann annivers is another thought since I have the big hauler 10 wheeler. Any other thoughts that might work as well.

Dear Mr Shawn - the HLR ‘Big John’ is bombproof and a dead certain for a backwoods logging operation. Hang a string of Bachmann’s skellies behind it and you’re good to go. Scale is around 1/22.5 - 1/24th or so, but when you see them in the plastic it really doesn’t matter that much - there was such a variation in logging locmotive sizes anyhow. My $0.02. tac

#3

YEah Big John is pretty close to a Dunkirk Logging locomotive, or an middle to earlyish Climax…the patents get a bit fuzzy there…

#4

Shawn,

I have 2 HLW’s 4-4-0’s & one 2-4-0 locos… All are very good runners & I have had them for about 5 years… The scale is 1/24 I beleive… Hope this helps…

BulletBob

#5

I see that Ozark has them on sale.

jerry

#6

I had sometime ago, a Big John engine and it was a pretty good engine.
Now I just have live steam and don’t care about battery operation or wiring the track.
Cheers,

#7

I like their drives, bulletproof, much moreso than the last gen of LGB

#8

Can anyone point me to a prototypical picture of an engine close to the HLW “Big John”? That exactly horizontal piston configuration is a little much for me, however I have a John Deere 420 tractor with the same alignment.

#9

And heartland locos don’t stop working.

#10

Ric Golding said:
Can anyone point me to a prototypical picture of an engine close to the HLW “Big John”? That exactly horizontal piston configuration is a little much for me, however I have a John Deere 420 tractor with the same alignment.

There isnt any, its based rather loosely on this Dunkirk engine:

(http://www.gearedsteam.com/dunkirk/images/blaisdell.jpg)

However the Dunkirk has V-cylinders like a Heisler (almost the same patent) but on the Dunkirk they are inside the cab, nice and warm in a Minnesota winter, rather unpleasant in a Georgia summer. HLW wanted a geared lokie so they freelanced it utilizing whatever stock parts they had to minimize new tooling. Now Baldwinn did have a geared engine with the 3 shay-like cylinders mounted flat under the chassis, but its a much bigger engine and very diffeent looking. I built my own Shay-kirk on a freelanced On30 model that was based on this lokie.

(http://www.gearedsteam.com/baldwin/images/shay.jpg)

Baldwinn geared thingie

#11

Where’s Rube Goldberg?

#12

Thanks Victor,
I’ve got a couple of ideas that are going to cause me to look at that engine, again.

#13

Wow. An American loco worth of Mr. Brades!

(http://www.gearedsteam.com/baldwin/images/shay.jpg)

#14

What search do I need to find more info about a “Dunkirk Engine”? I keep ending up in something that looks like a porn site. Thank you in advance for any help given.

#15

Geared Steam should help you out

http://www.gearedsteam.com/

#16

The more I look at it the more I like the big john. Now that I have a contract I have some nice uniform money coming my way 2 years worth. As soon as that cash comes Im ordering the Big John. Thanks for the help.

#17

It has always looked like an interesting drive train. The horizontal pistons have been something to adjust to, but if weathered I think it could fit in the KVRwy stable.

#18

A few of ya’s said you jad the Big John. Would it be possible to post a picture of the big john with something like the Bachmann 10 wheeler or something comparable in the 1:22 scale next to each other. I want to see the size difference. Thanks