2-6-0- Mogul Boiler Removal

[readingrr]

I have four of these splendid little sound equipped locos.  I would like to add maybe an ounce of weight in the loco boiler above the drivers, if there is room, to increase the tractive effort.  I'm not able, even with the parts diagram, to figure out how to remove the boiler and cab from the chassis to add weight.  Can anybody give me some insight or point to a "how to video"?  Thanks.

[DAVE2744]

If you are referring to the latest model B'mann 2-6-0 Dcc w/Sound, there are two screws under to cab rear apron, either side of the drawbar.  Also, the top of the sanddome can be carefully pried off revealing a very tiny screw down deep in the dome.  Also, the metal "stay rods" to the pilot deck must be pulled out of the holes in the smokebox.  But, don't go there.  There is absolutely no room for any kind of weight inside the boiler.  I've been there.  You could possibly put some lead inside the cab, but it would be difficult to hide it.  As a point of reference, my Mogul pulls 6  40ft cars, weighted slightly below NMRA standards & not so free rolling, on the level and through 18" curves.  It will pull 2 of the same cars up a 8%, yes, 8% grade. It must be done at very slow speed.  Remember that in the real world these were considered small locos, and did not pull many cars.  Hope this helps, Dave

[readingrr]

Thanks Dave;  that's very helpful. I'll take your advice and not go there. Yes, mine are the latest 2-6-0's with sound.   What I was overlooking was the small screw under the sand dome, I didn't spot that in the parts diagram.  My experience with their pulling is similar to yours.  They will pull three, maybe four cars, up a two percent grade and about the same as you experience on level track.  I'll see if I can fashion a small lead weight of some sort and disguise it in the cab one of my four models.  Really like these little engines with sound  --  they're economical to buy, the sound is good and they fit right in for my early 1900's logging and coal MRR. Thanks again for the info.    Bob

[DAVE2744]

Yes Bob, it took me a very, very long time to find that screw, and it is not on the parts diagram - thanks B'mann.  I was seriously contemplating buying a second Mogul and consisting them.  I think it would look impressive, and quite prototypical.  You should consider this as you have several.  Try running them as separate locos, ( no consist ), using two throttles.  Now that would be impressive.  They could even be out of sync slightly.  You are correct in stating these are excellent running, good looking, and quite economical.  Dave

[Hunt]

. . ., it took me a very, very long time to find that screw, and it is not on the parts diagram - thanks B'mann.  . . .

All,

While not on the parts diagram, the screw (inside the sand dome) is on the exploded view diagram. It is unlabeled and located just above the right frame section in the vicinity of the gears labeled 0K001 and 0K002.
Click Here for the exploded view diagram PDF



Bachmann,

Surmise most folks would not visualize this screw is found by removing the cap of the sand dome. Illustrated instructions are needed for removal of parts in order to preform lubricant for all models.

[readingrr]

Hunt:  Couldn't agree more with you re. your footnote to Mr. Bachmann  --  this isn't the first time I have run into difficulties in modifying or repairing where an improved parts diagram would have eased the pain.
Dave:  Good idea re. consisting two of them.  I will do that.  I also tried additional weight on one of mine.  I slipped a piece of lead (maybe 1/2  ounce) into the cab and a similar piece in the front using a temporary fastener of double sided tape on the walkway directly under the smokebox.  First attempt it pulled six cars up my 2 % grade with a little slippage, but it never even came close to pulling up more than four before.  I think I can fashion a piece of lead  for a permanent spot in the cab --  shouldn't be too visible if painted black;  and fashion a rectangular piece for CA'ing under the smokebox and maybe I could make it look like a toolbox  ( think Shay or Heisler with their toolboxes.)  All right it may not be prototypical on a Mogul but who the heck would notice besides fellow modelers?
                                      Bob

[electrical whiz kid]

I have some pics of Crystal River RY. 2-8-0 with a tool box (partly open) atop the pilot deck.  Looks pretty cool.  You could get a brass one from "Cal-Scale", and if not too much trouble, mount it on the pilot with a small piece of lead just behind it.  Some good looks, plus weight.
Rich C
SGT C.

[rogertra]

I have some pics of Crystal River RY. 2-8-0 with a tool box (partly open) atop the pilot deck.  Looks pretty cool.  You could get a brass one from "Cal-Scale", and if not too much trouble, mount it on the pilot with a small piece of lead just behind it.  Some good looks, plus weight.
Rich C
SGT C.

My favourite place to add lead in the cab is up in the cab ceiling where it's out of sight.

Another favourite place is to add an air tank full of lead to the pilot deck.  And, of course, removing the truck spring also let's you pull at least one more car. thanks to Newton's first law.

If you are into dismantling your steam engine, there's usually a large empty space in the steam chest right under the smokebox but that's only if you are really comfortable in taking your steam locos apart.

Cheers

Roger T.

[readingrr]

All good ideas --  Thanks! I took Dave's suggestion and ran two (one with my temporary weights installed, one OEM) of mine in a consist.  Looks real cool and they pull eleven cars up my 2 % grade with no slippage whatever.  They also seem to be synchronized well on my DCC system.  As I said in an earlier post, I have four of these BM 2-6-0 Moguls.  One presently is not operational because, due to a brief short which my system did not detect and shut down. two of the decoder wires from the tender to the plug on the loco were fried.  I 'm not sure about the decoder itself, so I'd like to buy a replacement if I could find the brand and same model decoder.  The plug is not the standard 8 pin side by side plug but rather 8 pins in line.  Does anyone know what make decoder this is?  It doesn't seem to be a BM part  -- it's not listed anywhere or shown in any parts diagram I found.  Nevertheless. I emailed BM service yesterday hoping I might get an answer from them.                        Bob

[Hunt]

The decoder with sound factory installed in the Bachmann HO 2-6-0 is made by SoundTraxx to Bachmann specifications.  This SoundTraxx Bachmann OEM sound decoder version is termed Sound Value. Sound Value decoders are not in SoundTraxx Tsunami family of decoders. To date none of the versions of the Sound Value decoders are sold separately.

[electrical whiz kid]

With reference to Roger's idea of putting lead into the cab:  I would be careful with that.  Some of you may not be too concerned about "aesthetics", and in doing, might counterbalance the engine to the point to where the pilot may tend to "ride a dite light"...with some interesting results...
SGT C.