Large Scale Central

Upgrading a Bachmann 4-6-0

Modeling
#1

Years ago in a galaxy far far away we purchased a Barry’s drive for our 4-6-0. We ran it for a time but the pickups were not good so I started an upgrade of the unit to provide sound, better pickups and battery backup. That was just about the time we switched to 1:20.3 in about 2009.

Since the 4-6-0 is more of a 1:22.5 model then a 1:20 model, the locomotive has sat on a shelf collecting dust since then.

I am trying to decide if I should simply put it back together again and sell it or complete the upgrade and add it to the fleet.

The Tweetsie 4-6-0s were rather large and powerful locomotives, My question is if there were smaller 4-6-0s out there that I could use as a prototype that would be a good start for upgrading my 4-6-0 to a 1:20.3 locomotive?

Thanks

Stan

#2

I’ve got several of the 4-6-0’s that I just bought the anniversary drives from Bachmann to upgrade the drive. I plan to replace the cabs with something closer to 1:20 size. Mostly just gathering parts and pieces before starting on the conversions. And yes there were quite a few different sizes of the 4-6-0 wheel arrangement

#3

Many other roads besides the Tweetsie had ten wheelers. The most notable being the Southern Pacific narrow gauge, whose locos were identical to the Pacific Coast ten wheelers as they were both originally owned by the NCO railway. The Oahu Railway in Hawaii also owned ten wheelers (albiet outside framed), and the U.S. Goverment bought a 4-6-0 for use in Alaska as the Alaska Railroad was being built. The government owned 4-6-0 now resides at the Huckleberry Railroad in Michigan, where it was recently put back in operation. I look forward to your build!(http://transpressnz.blogspot.com/2014/10/oahu-railway-land-company-4-6-0-number.html)

http://transpressnz.blogspot.com/2014/10/oahu-railway-land-company-4-6-0-number.html

http://www.alaskarails.org/potw-archive/2009/CW-152-1.jpg

http://www.alaskarails.org/potw-archive/2009/CW-152-2.jpg

#4

Stan, there have been a few ‘bashes’ of the Ten-Wheeler into a 1:20 scale loco. Here’s Bruce’s article with a link to a PDF:

Bashing an Annie into a 1/20.3 engine

And here’s another thread:

4-6-0 in 1:20.3. How can I get one?

I have a 1:20 metal cab if you want to fit it instead of the current one! And a taller stack is easy - Trackside Details has one or two that will fit, as discussed in the second thread above.

#5

And here’s the details on Jack Thompson’s build:

http://4largescale.com/Thompson/10.htm

#6

Stan here is my Annie that was extensively rebuilt into a 1:20 oil burner. This also has a Barry’s drive. Main change was a scratched cab and a high oil bunker. The actual build thread is lost in the mists of time and turbulence over at that other place.

Rick

#7

Thanks, Pete; nice to know my work is saved.

I also have a link on my site: http://jbrr.com/first-ten-wheeler.html as well as a newer version after a fall: http://jbrr.com/ten-wheeler.html

I gave it a straight boiler and a new tender and cab, as well as a BBT drive.

#8

Thanks all for all the great thoughts.

Bruce’s upgrade is fantastic but in a different direction from what I am looking for.

What I am looking for is a prototype I could base the Big Hauler on that would allow me to maintain the boiler and most of the main components of the locomotive yet make it a 1:20.3 model. With all the projects I have queued up a complete rebuild is just not worth keeping the locomotive.

The Alaska 4-6-0 at Huckleberry is a fantastic one I really like. Unfortunately years back I measured it and found it quite a bit larger than the Bachmann 4-6-0.

Were there any smaller ones?

Stan

#9

Stan, I don’t think that there were any prototypes like what you want - a smaller boiler and running gear. Best bet is to look at Jack Thompson’s model - he basically just enjlarged the cab and then shortened the locomotive to sort of keep the perspectives intact. Very nice looking locomotive. Now, if you weren’t set on keeping the boiler…

#10

I always make note of thees upgrade/up-scale threads. I have two Annies gathering dust that I need to either so something with or sell. Problem is, I am so spoiled by the drive in the C-19 that I’d probably never run them unless I could find (and afford) a BBT drive for them. They are two or three back on the engine priority list for me as well. I have a Connie pulled apart and partially modified that needs to be completed first plus a small tank engine that needs battery/rc to become a yard goat.

EDIT to add: I should probably just sell them and put some cash with it for another C-19.

#11

Jon Radder said:

I always make note of thees upgrade/up-scale threads. I have two Annies gathering dust that I need to either so something with or sell. Problem is, I am so spoiled by the drive in the C-19 that I’d probably never run them unless I could find (and afford) a BBT drive for them. They are two or three back on the engine priority list for me as well. I have a Connie pulled apart and partially modified that needs to be completed first plus a small tank engine that needs battery/rc to become a yard goat.

EDIT to add: I should probably just sell them and put some cash with it for another C-19.

Probably not a bad idea, Jon - although it IS fun to convert it, just to do it. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)But, I know I probably need to thin my own stable of locomotives and get rid of some that have not been operated for some time; I guess I always go back to my favorite - and why not?

#12

Why do you need to copy a certain prototype? There were so many steam locomotives built, that there probably were some that look remarkably like the models we have seen.

#13

Stanley here are some photos of my up scaled Bachmann Annie, she has a Bachmann 1:20.3 Connie Cab and miodified Connie Tender, along with all new piping and fittings, lighting, electronics, fan driven smoke and Sierra Sound

#14

Stan, LOOK at the D&RGW T-12’s 168 in particular. It’s being restored as we speak in Antonito on the C&T.