Varney Dockside Switcher

[Woody Elmore]

Jon- I'm disappointed with the unveiling pix. Where is the Marine Band? And a podium for some long winded politician?

Seriously, the strand endured so long because it was about something of interest. I hope all the newbies who read these inane scribblings will take up the challenge and revitalize a  flea market or garage sale junker.

So what's your next project? Oh yeah, the anchor chain hanging off the cylinders is just dreadful.

[jonathan]

  Well, I am a sailor after all.  I had to get some anchor chain in there somewhere.

Thanks for the kind words.  It was fun, sometimes frustrating, but mostly fun.  I hope the club guys like it when I do a little show and tell next week.

Next project?  It's not in the budget right now, but I would like to tackle a brass locomotive at some point.  Brasstrains has an NWSL 2-6-2T that's unpainted, needs lights, probably a motor, and couplers.  It says, "buy me," whenever I see it.  I like the small locos for some reason. 

I can't wait too long.  My eyesight and dexterity aren't improving with age.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Woody Elmore]

NWSL imported nicely done brass models. As long as it hasn't been tinkered with you'd be making a good investment.

It's hard to believe that the Vareny engine is the same one you first pictured. I like the neolube on the running gear. I know that you are going to replace the chain with something more in scale. It's little things that add so much to a model.

Let us know when you get the 2-6-2t.

[ebtnut]

I once had one of those NWSL 2-6-2T's.  Nicely done model - clean soldering.  It ran quietly but was a bit "tight".  It probably just needed to get in some more run-in than I gave it.  IIRC, it had an open-frame motor.  I'm sure a new can motor would be a good thing. 

[Johnson Bar Jeff]

I like the small locos for some reason. 

I do, too. In my case it's because I don't have much space to play with. I think small locomotives look less out of place on a small layout. 

[J3a-614]

I haven't seen the brass engine you are speaking of, but I know what it would probably look like; this was a fairly common stock type from Baldwin for logging service.  I suggested this would be an engine that Bachmann should make in the "Smaller Locomotive Suggestions" thread for just this reason, and it could even be based on the existing 0-6-0T mechanism, which also has 44" drivers (a common rod logging size). 

If you do get to spring for one of these 2-6-2Ts, save a few pennies to also pick up some Kadee log cars to go with it; they were fairly common out west where your proposed 2-6-2T actually ran, they are nice cars (I have several), and they are old school (been in production since at least the late 1950s-early 1960s).

http://www.kadee.com/index.shtml

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/allplc.htm

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/HO-Scale%20Log%20Car.htm

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page101.htm

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page102.htm

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page103.htm

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page104.htm

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page107.htm

http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/pagell.htm

Enjoy.

[Woody Elmore]

If I recall correctly, NWSL brought in West Coast engines which makes sense given the name of the company. The 2-6-2 may indeed be a logger. How is Jonathan going to fit in a logging operation in downtown Baltimore?

[J3a-614]

Well, if you want to be picky about it, technically, no.  

On the other hand, who is to say one of these engines wouldn't wind up in the inventory of a railroad equipment dealer like Southern Iron or Willamette Iron Works (the latter later got into the geared engine business with a very much improved version of a Shay after the patents expired), and find itself converted to coal firing for work at a mine?

My own approach would be to build a second, smaller logging  layout, though, along the lines of what is on this site (which I've posted before); it would be a change of pace, so to speak:

http://carendt.com/

Hmmm, Jonathan's comments about modeling the Baltimore News Building as a place to switch boxcars, notably a New York Central Specification 486 type, would make a nice micro layout to add to Carl's site. . .would look forward to a new thread with Jon. . .

Jon will have fun no matter which way he goes!

Go to it, Jon!

[jonathan]

Truthfully, I'm not married to the 2-6-2T engine idea.  I do like the overall size, and with no tender, there's one less piece of gear that demands detailing and paint.

Anyway, it's going to take some time to save up for my next locomotive, so I can look at photos and flip coins until decision time.  Pretty sure I won't be shopping for it on ebay.  Most of the ebay brass looks like it's had a hard life.  And most folks start the bidding too high.  They all think they have a real collectors item.

I would, however, overpay for a Penn Line Crusader.  That would be a really neat project.

A brass B&O engine would be great.  However, all the brass ones seem to be the huge engines with lots of wheels, long tenders, and unrunnable on anything but 30" radius track.

As you can read, I'm still pondering.

Regards,

Jonathan

[Doneldon]

Jonathan-

Keep looking.  There are quite a few 2-8-2s and the occasional 4-6-0 on ebay.

                                                                      -- D