Just finished bashing the new N scale Bachmann Mountain into something that resembles what ran on the rails in Canada.
Bachmann conversion to a 4-8-2 U1e
- Thread starter Dan Crowley
- Start date
Nice! Wouldn't mind seeing more pics of your layout with that rugged scenary. Is that a river in the foreground of the first pic?
Ralph
Ralph
Your 4-8-2
Really nice job! Your engine looks just right in that setting. :thumb:
There has been a lot of chatter about this locomotive’s pulling ability, what is your experience with it? I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting one but several folks have not had too many good things to say about it mechanically. All seem to agree it is beautiful but won’t pull much. I and probably several others would be interested in your comments.
Really nice job! Your engine looks just right in that setting. :thumb:
There has been a lot of chatter about this locomotive’s pulling ability, what is your experience with it? I’ve been kicking around the idea of getting one but several folks have not had too many good things to say about it mechanically. All seem to agree it is beautiful but won’t pull much. I and probably several others would be interested in your comments.
I wish it would pull more. Mine pulled 15 cars up a 1.5% grade around an 18" radius. When I converted it to DCC I lost some of the weight in the boiler and some of the pulling power.
I added wt to the cab and I also added lead to the front porch under the smoke box cover. It regained all it had lost and then some.
The locomotive is smooth and quiet. I have ordered two more. I love them. For my home layout 15 to 18 cars is a normal train, and this locomotive can do that, so for my purpose it is fine.
If you are looking for something that will pull 40 cars, this isn't for you.
I have a secret weapon for pulling power though
A lifelike GP 20 split frame with flywheels sitting in an express reefer, ensure this Mountain will pull 40 cars when I want it to!!!!!
I added wt to the cab and I also added lead to the front porch under the smoke box cover. It regained all it had lost and then some.
The locomotive is smooth and quiet. I have ordered two more. I love them. For my home layout 15 to 18 cars is a normal train, and this locomotive can do that, so for my purpose it is fine.
If you are looking for something that will pull 40 cars, this isn't for you.
I have a secret weapon for pulling power though
A lifelike GP 20 split frame with flywheels sitting in an express reefer, ensure this Mountain will pull 40 cars when I want it to!!!!!
:thumb: :thumb: Wow, I love your trains and your site. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
If you want a little more punch out of the old gal, could you sneak a chassis from a diesel switcher in to the tender?
If you want a little more punch out of the old gal, could you sneak a chassis from a diesel switcher in to the tender?
4-8-2
Dan,
Thanks for the feedback. I believe it would also be fine for my layout. I'm just glad we "suddenly" have all of these great running steam engines. I have also been contemplating your "Secret Weapon" idea but with the traction driver sets on my 'Mikes', Bachmann's 2-8-0's pulling power, MDC's incredible little 2-8-0 and Model Power's 4-6-2's abilities, I'm pretty much satisfied with their tractive efforts. At least for my needs they work fine. The 4-8-2 may need your S.W. since I will want it to pull about 12 or 15 cars up what is close to a 4% out of my San Antonio staging.
I checked out your web site - beautiful web site, beautiful layout and a VERY impressive roster of locomotives! thanks again for cluing in myself and others regarding the 4-8-2.:thumb:
Dan,
Thanks for the feedback. I believe it would also be fine for my layout. I'm just glad we "suddenly" have all of these great running steam engines. I have also been contemplating your "Secret Weapon" idea but with the traction driver sets on my 'Mikes', Bachmann's 2-8-0's pulling power, MDC's incredible little 2-8-0 and Model Power's 4-6-2's abilities, I'm pretty much satisfied with their tractive efforts. At least for my needs they work fine. The 4-8-2 may need your S.W. since I will want it to pull about 12 or 15 cars up what is close to a 4% out of my San Antonio staging.
I checked out your web site - beautiful web site, beautiful layout and a VERY impressive roster of locomotives! thanks again for cluing in myself and others regarding the 4-8-2.:thumb:
Thanks for the kind comments
The Bachmann 4-8-2 is a decent locomotive. As I mentioned I wish it would pull more, but 15 cars up a grade works for me.
I have compared this to my Key brass 4-8-2 and it is equal to it in all aspects. It even pulls better then the Brass. Now there is a locomotive that has trouble pulling itself up a hill.
The power express reefer is just to give ideas on what can be done to help the locomotive pull a prototypical sized train.
Dan
The Bachmann 4-8-2 is a decent locomotive. As I mentioned I wish it would pull more, but 15 cars up a grade works for me.
I have compared this to my Key brass 4-8-2 and it is equal to it in all aspects. It even pulls better then the Brass. Now there is a locomotive that has trouble pulling itself up a hill.
The power express reefer is just to give ideas on what can be done to help the locomotive pull a prototypical sized train.
Dan