Quote from: jestor on July 13, 2009, 07:35:13 AM
Hamish, I imagine that the cupola is "removeable" in order to have access to place figure(s) in the seat(s), if you so desire.

Jestor

I suspect that you are right, but I was hoping!

In terms of length the Bachmann model is probably close to SR&RL #554 i.e. if it is based on the freight car chasis. However the windows are wrong. #554 was converted from an excursion car and, when first converted, did not have a cupola. That was added later. For information on #554 see
http://www.largescalecentral.com/articles/view.php?id=47&page=2

I think it's a pity Bachmann didn't take the opportunity to produce a reasonable (though not exact being too wide) model of #554 using the freight car chasis, such a model could have been made both with and without a cupola.

However, as it stands the Bachmann model without a cupola would make a nice short combine or caboose that would be ideal for my freelanced line, and no doubt suit others as well. Perhaps a version without a cupola will follow?

Hamish

The look some people are complaining about (like an HO model with an O scale cab) was not uncommon for narrow gauge locos. Not just overseas or exported locos or for gauges less than 3 feet, for example the 3 foot gauge Lawndale 2-8-0.

There is a tendency for some people to equate narrow gauge with the larger 3 foot gauge lines such as Colorado or EBT etc. However these were only part of narrow gauge even in the USA.

ON30 modellers are a diverse lot, modelling a wide range of prototype and freelanced lines. Bachmann can not hope to please everyone. They do seem to be trying to balance their offerings, the 4-6-0 as a larger 3 foot loco, some 30 inch locos for those who want to model 30 inch gauge and so on. True not all that much for Colorado (the 2-6-0 and the railtruck) but other makers have produced Colorado items.  Nobody else has made the small and funky that some, including me, like.

Hamish

The Ingenio Angelina 2-6-6-2 has long been a favourite of mine. For information on the prototype see

http://loggingmallets.railfan.net/export/ingenio9.htm


and for a photo
http://narrowmind.railfan.net/2662_Ingenio_9.JPG

It's great to see Bachmann making another genuine 30 inch gauge loco, congratulations!!!

Hamish

The new HO excursion cars just announced (see home page) are exactly what I have been hoping for in ON30. Surley we won't have to wait at least another 12 months for them in ON30?

Hamish

Does removeable cupola mean that it can be configured without the cupola? How long is it?

Hamish

Tri-ang made an OO (1:76 scale on HO gauge track) model in the 1960s, it was reissued about 1980 by Hornby (as Tri-ang had become). They appear on eBay sometimes, usually pricey. Dapol still make an unpowered plastic OO kit.

I don't know whether there is any chance of a Hornby reissue (they did recently reissue the Dean single (a model which also dates from the 1960s) as limited releases, so you never know. I suspect a Hornby reissue is more likely than a Bachmann model - any Bachmann model would presumably be aimed largely at the British market (Bachmann Branchline) but they would be aware of the possibility of a Hornby reissue. I doubt that either company would feel that there was room for two models.

Hamish

In February the Bach-man stated that the nect ON30 announcements would be at the NMRA convention in July (10-12 July, Hartford CT). I assume that this is still the case. Perhaps the Bach-man can confirm? although I know he will give no hints as to what might be announced.

Hamish

The Porters are not in the 2009 catalogue. I presume that they will either be reintroduced in the not too distant future or a new small steam tank loco introduced. Given that there are many small, often industrially  themed ON30 layouts, and that small tank locos can be useful as switchers etc. for larger layouts, such a loco seems desirable for Bachmann's ON30 range.

Personally I would like a new small tank loco - I have both Porters and a different type would add variety - but reintroducing the Porters would be cheaper for Bachmann.

Either way I would expect a reintroduced Porter or a new replacement loco to come with DCC.

Perhaps there will be an announcement at the NMRA convention in a couple of weeks time?

Hamish

I understand that new ON30 items are to be announced at the NMRA Convention on 10-14 July at Hatford, Connecticut. No doubt the Bach Man will correct me if I am wrong! Presumably if there is to be a 2009 Christmas car it would be announced then.

Hamish

Beauty (or ugly) is indeed in the eye of the beholder. I do not agree however that it looks a lot like a foreign locomotive. While the cab may look like that on some foreign locos, it has a narrow body typical of American "hood" locomotives. Most British and european locos have full width bodies. Those that have narrow bodies do not have that type of cab.

Hamish

To my mind the Great Northern  Railway (England) Stirling Single 4-2-2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNR_Stirling_4-2-2 (click on photo in link for enlargement).

Yes, it is the original for the "Thomas" character "Emily" but that is not why I chose it!

Hamish

I realise that you have an existing HO layout and are making plans for your ON30 set up. I do however have  a couple of suggestions for anyone torn between HO and ON30. Both are - do both!

The first is that some people have designed layouts that run both HO and ON30 (alternatively, not at the same time!). To do this clearances etc. need to be able to handle the larger equipment. 2 sets of buildings are required, one to each scale, designed to use the same footprints. The O scale ones would need to be of small prototypes. Fixed scenery would be generic, i.e. nothing that indicates O or HO scale exclusively. If the track is fairly heavily ballasted the fact that it is HO and not O scale can become less noticeable.

The second is to build a micro layout for one, or both, scales. Recently there was a thread here  that mentioned Carl Arendt"s excellent site, which contains many ideas for very small layouts, often suitable  for On30. See http://www.carendt.com/

Of course if you have the space and money for two full sized layouts, why not?

Hamish

In Britain, and countries that follow British railway terminology such as Australia, "engine" is often used for locomotive, hence Thomas the Tank Engine . This applies to diesel and electric as well, so electric engine is common. Electric motor would mean the power motors themselves, not the locomotive. Just one of the many differences between American and British terminology.

Hamish

The Chinese C2 0-8-0s were derived from a Russian design, similar locos were also made in Poland and other Eatern European countries. It is estimated that 4,500-6,000 locos of this basic design (all varients) were made in total.  Almost all were 30 inch gauge or the close metric equivelents (750 and 760mm). This was by far the most common single design of 30 inch gauge locomotive world wide.

Not a very well known loco in the USA, Britain and other main ON30 markets which probably makes it an unlikely choice for Bachmann USA.

Perhaps there could be scope for a joint project between different Bachmann branches, i.e. Bachmann China, Liliput and Bachmann USA? This would involve the other branches moving into O narrow gauge which they don't currently do. However I have thought that the Bachmann branches could combine to produce an international O narrow gauge line, featuring international prototypes, alongside (not repacing)  the American ON30 line.  Many narrow gauge locos were exported from different countries and in South America, Australia and other places it was common to find equipment from different countries alongside each other. Should such a line be introduced this would be an obvious choice.

Hamish.

If Bachmann were to make a mallet articulated locomotive in ON30 my choice would be the Ingenio Angelina (Dominican Republic) 2-6-6-2. Seehttp://narrowmind.railfan.net/2662_Ingenio_9.JPG and http://loggingmallets.railfan.net/export/ingenio9.htm

This was the smallest mallet built in North America and was 30 inch gauge. I guess some would say that it "looked wrong", it does look rather like an HO model with larger stack, domes, cab and tender! As this loco shows, such conversions can be prototypical, depending on what is being modelled.

Personally I would prefer an actual export locomotive over a planned but never built loco (the LS 2-6-6-2t), but I know others differ.

Hamish