4-6-0 tender prototype question

[Searsport]

Hi, I would be grateful for some info. 

Those familiar with the Spectrum Baldwin 4-6-0 will know that the high-boiler version has a much higher cab floor than the low boiler version, and so Bachmann have supplied it with different tenders with higher footplates (specifically the decapod tender or the USRA medium coal tender).  The low boiler version has a small, low tender with a low footplate to match the cab floor.  This has a coal hole and coal spill right down at footplate level.

If you look at the photos on this link http://taplines.net/GFA/GFA.html you will see several 4-6-0s belonging to the Gulf, Florida & Alabama which in Bachmann terms comprise the high-boiler 4-6-0 coupled to the low-boiler type tender.  The rear quarter views show that the loco has a cab floor much higher than the top of the tender base, but there is no photo which gives a clue about the front of the tender. I am wondering how the front of the tender might have been arranged.  It looks possible that the tender body might have been a plain water tank with the coal piled on top and retained by the raised sheet metal. 

I am aiming to reproduce this combination.  Does anyone have information or a photo or reference on the tender front that I could find on the web, please?  I don't expect anyone to have a pic of the GF&A, but maybe a similar engine + tender combination?

TIA,
Bill.

[J3a-614]

Hello, Bill, and welcome to the greatest hobby in the world, and a neat website (at least I think so. . .)

What you're looking at is a series of locomotives with the cab decks on two levels.  There's an upper level, above the drivers on each side of the locomotive, and between the two upper levels, a lower level, between the drivers.  This was an old arrangement that went back to Civil War days at least.

Sierra Railway No. 3 illustrates this double level in this broadside, although as a smaller engine than what Bachmann offers, the effect isn't quite as noticeable.  

http://flickriver.com/photos/bunaen/4760827336/#large

This image of a new 4-4-0 under construction for a tourist road in Pennsylvania perhaps will also give you an idea of what the rear of these locomotives would look like:

http://www.leviathan63.com/images/yk13_2_York_22113_002.jpg

Earlier in the process:

http://www.leviathan63.com/images/yk13_8_ND84947.jpg

Photo source:

http://www.leviathan63.com/projectYork.html

Have fun.

EDIT:  Found some more material, based on the same 4-4-0, York 17:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41428530@N03/8479457368/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41428530@N03/8478363315/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/41428530@N03/

http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34553

What she should look like when done; would make a good variation for Bachmann's Civil War 4-4-0:

http://www.steamintohistory.com/images/slider4.png

[rogertra]

DC or DCC?

Either way, clean your wheels and report back.

[Searsport]

Hi J3a-614, thanks for your info.  Having inspected the rear of the loco I am not sure that I want to slice it up, so I will just rely on close coupling to conceal the discrepancy.  I can always return to it later if necessary.  The low tender enhances the look of power of the loco where the higher tenders provided do not, especially the USRA medium coal, which overwhelms it.

Hi Roger, the loco is DCC ready undecorated Spectrum 82307 with wood cab.  I have not yet decided whether to use the DCC ready tender from 82301 and fit my own decoder or use a DCC equipped tender from a 4-4-0.  My Ma & Pa and Western Maryland engines all have sound but my SAL / Florida branch line engines do not.  I have to say that whilst I am thoroughly convinced by sound on diesels I am less so with steam.  The main Tsunami steam sound is chuffing, whilst on a real steam engine at slow speed there is a lot of miscellaneous hissing, clanking, groaning of track, etc, which is at least as noticeable as the chuffing.

Thanks again,
Bill.

[rogertra]

Bill.

Disregard my " clean your wheels" comment. No idea how it got posted on this thread as it was supposed to be on the "Jerky 2-6-0" thread. Blame one posting from my iPhone as my computer died.

[AGSB]

The following web site lists all the surviving 4-6-0s in the US along with pictures of many of them. If you live near any of the displays you possibly can visit the real thing and see the set ups. That is if you live in the US.

http://steamlocomotive.com/lists/searchdb.php?str=4-6-0&country=USA