So the engine is longer on the Bachmann, but the tender is shorter. Huh, I didn’t realize that
Stan Ames said:
. . .
The rear coupler is now a body mount with long shank to go around tight curves. Because of the new coaches the locomotive is shipped with a low coupler installed and a high coupler is included in the extra parts bag.
. . . . .Stan
OK Stan. What do you know that we don’t know ? “Because of the new coaches the locomotive is shipped with a low coupler” ?? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
The 1:22.5 coaches have lower couplers, and that is what is shipped “new” with the locomotive. Why Bachmann would opt for a higher coupler mount, when so many out here already use the KaDee standard height, is beyond me.
Why does the entire Thomas line and Lil Big Hauler lines have LGB incompatible couplers standard, either because who ever is working on them in China must not give a fig about interbrand compatibility even with product from their own company or they are working in a sealed vault not allowed to discuss little things like that.
Pete Thornton said:
Stan Ames said:
. . .
The rear coupler is now a body mount with long shank to go around tight curves. Because of the new coaches the locomotive is shipped with a low coupler installed and a high coupler is included in the extra parts bag.
. . . . .Stan
OK Stan. What do you know that we don’t know ? “Because of the new coaches the locomotive is shipped with a low coupler” ?? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)
Pete
Sorry for the confusion. Bachmann painted a Big Hauler combine and coach to match each of the 4 new LS 2-6-0 locomotives.
These are the “New Coaches” I was referring to.
Stan
David Maynard said:
The 1:22.5 coaches have lower couplers, and that is what is shipped “new” with the locomotive. Why Bachmann would opt for a higher coupler mount, when so many out here already use the KaDee standard height, is beyond me.
David
Bachmann’s “High Coupler” IS at the Kadee Height. This height is used on all their 1:20.3 rolling stock and locomotives starting with the K27. To maintain compatibility with their Big Hauler line, which is at the LGB hook and loop height, the locomotives and cars also come with low couplers.
While the locomotive has a lot of new molds, the coaches are repaints with no change other then the paint. Thus the decision for the locomotive to ship with low couplers. It is relatively easy to install the supplied high “kadee Height” coupler.
Stan
Stan,
Thank you for the posting of a comparison photo and dimensions. Comparison photos are the only way those of us who order by internet can actually have some sort of comparison. The LGB Mogul is a highly available means for comparison. Five train stores in LA area that would carry what was “new” in large scale are now defunct.
Wendell
Stan Ames said:
David Maynard said:
The 1:22.5 coaches have lower couplers, and that is what is shipped “new” with the locomotive. Why Bachmann would opt for a higher coupler mount, when so many out here already use the KaDee standard height, is beyond me.
David
Bachmann’s “High Coupler” IS at the Kadee Height. This height is used on all their 1:20.3 rolling stock and locomotives starting with the K27. To maintain compatibility with their Big Hauler line, which is at the LGB hook and loop height, the locomotives and cars also come with low couplers.
While the locomotive has a lot of new molds, the coaches are repaints with no change other then the paint. Thus the decision for the locomotive to ship with low couplers. It is relatively easy to install the supplied high “kadee Height” coupler.
Stan
Ok, my mistake. Since I use the KaDee 831 on those cars, and it lines right up with the KaDee height gauge, I forgot that it was an offset coupler. The shank is mounted to the bottom of the knuckle assembly.
Pete
Sorry for the confusion. Bachmann painted a Big Hauler combine and coach to match each of the 4 new LS 2-6-0 locomotives.
These are the “New Coaches” I was referring to.
Stan
Huh. When do we get some 1:20.3 coaches that would look correct with that nice loco, I ask ? Wasn’t there a discussion on the B’mann forums about them some years ago?
Kevin has addressed some of the upgrades Bachmann did on their new Sprectrum 2-6-0 series of models. I thought it might be useful to go over a few done on the locomotive.
The most important changes are the frame and drive train.
All three drivers are now sprung allowing the locomotive suspension to go over uneven track. To allow the locomotive to navigate tight radius curves the center driver is raised by a spacer on the bottom plate so that the center driver just touches the track. This allows the locomotive the navigate R1 curves. However on R1 curves the center driver is so far off the track that it will cause a short on most R1 turnouts. So if you are using track power Bachmann has recommended 5 Ft diameter or R2 as the minimum radius.
If you have larger curves you can remove the spacer under the center driver so that all three drivers provide equal pressure on the track. On the C-19 this increases the pulling power by about one car. I have not done this yet on a 2-6-0 to measure any increase.
All the gears are now metal and a fan has been installed to help cool the motor extending motor life.
All of the electrical components in the locomotive are new including new pickups on each driver, optical sensors in each piston and larger gauge wire throughout. The front headlight has also been replaced with the more prototypical light from the C-19.
Per the prototype two of the models have a wood pilot as in the first release. The other two have a new strap iron pilot. The smokestacks also reflect a coal or wood fired locomotive.
The most noticeable visible change and my favorite addition is that the 3 as-built locomotives have crosshead pumps. The 1870s was a time before lifting injectors were invented. To inject water in the boiler the locomotives of the day used crosshead water pumps. Most locomotives had these removed by the early 1900s. An interesting side note is that the locomotives at Disneyworld still use crosshead pumps.
Per prototype practice the Glenbrook has its pump on the engineer’s site, the Reveille on the fireman’s side and the Raton on both sides.
Air brakes were also not invented yet in the 1870s so all three as built locomotives only have tender hand brakes and no engine brakes. The brakes on the Emma Nevada have also been moved to their correct location for that prototype.
Last but not least the drawbar was also redesigned to provide both a more prototypical close coupling to the tender or a longer distance for tight radius curves.
Stan
I have never wanted this locomotive, but now after seeing all these pictures and read about all the improvements I think I will be adding one to my collection.
Thanks for making me spend money…