I just received the “Online Blurp” about an article in the July, 2007 Model Railroader called “Bachmann HO scale 4-4-0”. Hasn’t someone modernized a largescale 4-4-0 and written about it? Sounds interesting and I feel I’m dredging something up from old unused grey matter.
Ric Golding said:Ric:
Hasn't someone modernized a largescale 4-4-0 and written about it?
I don’t remember the Bachmann 4-4-0 being modernized, but the Centennial 2-6-0 was modernized to represent Nevada County Narrow Gauge #5. The construction article and drawings appeared in the Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazzette.
See Rick Blanchard’s updated list of NG&SLG articles at:
http://www.urbaneagle.com/slim/NGSLGplanlist.html
The information from the list is:
2002 Jul/Aug C p48 Modifying Bachmann 1:20.3 Mogul
2002 Jul/Aug P p50 NCNG RR 2-6-0 #5
“C”=Construction Article
“P”=Plan or Drawing
I wish for the talent and stick-to-it qualities that would so convert my 2-6-0!
It will be interesting to see if the same thing has been done to the 4-4-0.
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Ric,
the modernised 4-4-0 Bachmann ‘h.o.’ scale is identical to their modernised 4-6-0 loco, so prototypical accuracy may not be to scale. A ‘believeable’ 4-4-0 loco could be built by modifying an Annie to 4-4-0 configuration (very easy) and using the unmodified Annie body. Detail placement of boiler accessories is not as per the ‘h.o.’ model, nor is the raised running board of the Annie. I have done such a modification and the result is believeable. I still need to paint the chassis and rods and attach to the superstructure. It is something different to the normal Annie. The rivet counters will get in on the act and point out the inaccuracies, such as wheel diameter, dome placement, etc. However, it is just a toy.
Not post 1900 version 4-4-0s, but rebuilt 1870s 4-4-0s, kept running through to the 20s etc, I did a couple a few years back, this first freelance one for Tony Walsham: http://4largescale.com/fletch/d7.htm
and this one which is model of the D&RG 4-4-0s as they looked through the late 1880s, and 1890s.
http://4largescale.com/fletch/d7a.htm There is also another 4-4-0 shown at MLS, based on the Hawiian 4-4-0s through the 1880s and 90s. He has a building log web site here: http://poe.kapuaala.com/lanakila/lanakila.html
Thats a seriously beautiful job. An actual prototype as well. David.
"There is also another 4-4-0 shown at MLS, based on the Hawiian 4-4-0s through the 1880s and 90s. He has a building log web site here:
http://poe.kapuaala.com/lanakila/lanakila.html
Thats a seriously beautiful job. An actual prototype as well.
David."
Gorgeous work. Looking at an example of a piece of equipment like that and how long it was kept in service, though modernized, is not only a credit to design and construction quality, but also to the “make do” attitude of generations, that found little value in throwing away and buying new. I’ve seen evidence where there was literally equipment, like this, that was kept in service to the end of steam. It may be George Washington’s original axe with 5 new handles and 3 new heads, but kept in service for a long time. I think the iron and metal collection of the WWII needs caused a lot of old stuff to finally be discarded, but in those isolated places where transportation played a factor, like the islands, this was kept in service. I may need to think about something like this for the KVRwy.
I’m in the process of building a modern steel cab 4-4-0, but its out of old Bug Hauler parts I had lying around. Here the last photos I took before I painted it…
Check out this 1953 passenger train pulled by a 4-4-0 on the Ferninand RR near here where I am .
http://hvrm.railfan.net/historical/076_Ferdinand_2.html
And check these other 4-4-0’s on the LNA&C RR , also in this area , 4-4-0’s seemed to have lasted a long time on these two short lines around here .