Having run the K-27 on a variety of layouts since January I've found the following.

On a curve, if the front pilot beam will clear a trackside obstacle then the cylinders will clear.

I agree that cab roof overhang is also critical.  In a number of cases, when running on other's layouts, the front pilot would clear a trackside obstacle only to have the cab roof overhang make contact.

I've found it good practice when running on a foreign layout to take it easy the first time around.  Both front pilot beam clearance and just as important, cab roof overhang must be checked.

If BigRockRR has tunnels on curves then both front pilot overhang and cab roof overhang will have to be checked.  Same will hold true for any trackside structures or sheer walls that set close to the outside of a curve.

The K-27 cab roof does require a little more clearance than that of the Connie's cab roof.

JD

BigRockRR

Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday. We were in the middle of a Noreaster.



This is the overhang of the Connie on 5' (10' diameter) curve.  Overhang is 3 7/8" measured from centerline of track to edge of front pilot beam.



This is the overhang on the K-27 on 5' (10' diameter) curve.  Overhang is 4 1/16" measured from centerline of track to edge of pilot beam.

Note that measurements were made with my highly accurate Stanley Powerlock steel tape measure.  If these measurements are off just a tad, I'm sure someone will jump in here with some extreme high accurate measurements.

Also, realize that due to the suspension on the K-27 the overhang could very slightly.  I made sure that the K-27 was out to its maximum overhang for the picture and measurement.

I have only 5' or 10' radius curves.  So this is the best I could do to answer your question.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Jim,
The K-27 is a very good locomotive as it comes from Bachmann.

Here is a link to my GRBLOG that contains a number of topics devoted to the K-27.  You might find them of some insight.  There are also links to You Tube videos of the K-27 in operation.

http://www.grblogs.com/index.php?blog=4

Just remember that some folks have their own "agenda" that may shade their view of both Bachmann Industries and the K-27.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Natasha,

There is no whistle or bell sound.  The Northstar Express has chuff only. The sound is very basic without the extras of whistle or bell.

It's been a long time since I had a Northstar apart.  As I remember, even though there is a backup light on the tender it is not wired or have a bulb that illuminates in reverse.  There are any number of Bachmann "set" locomotives that have the backup light that is not set up to illuminate in reverse.

Loco Bill or the Bach Man could give you a more educated answer on the Northstar's backup light.

"One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

There has been a Davenport on the CD&StL property for a couple of weeks.  Nice little engine.

http://www.grblogs.com/index.php/2008/09/12/bachmann-davenport-gas-mechanical-switch?blog=4

Here's a link to a short report on the Davenport and a video of the engine with two cars in tow.

" One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Scrooge Collieries "Nice Coal For Naughty Children" item no. 98278.  This car first listed as "New" in the 2005 Bachmann Catalog on page 115.


  One of the Enthusiastic Children, so says the Amen Choir!

JD

Mudhen,
You can get very close, but I doubt the chuff will ever be spot on.  It's not only the ratio of the tender wheel size to the locomotive drivers, but also the placement of the magnets on the axle and  reed switch placement.

With some experimenting on magnet placement and the reed you can get very close.

With your calibrated ears and eyes the sound sync may not satisfy you, but few if any will pick up the slightly out of sync chuff.

Good luck.

JD

Francois,

This should get you in the ball park.

Overall length with tender short coupled: 37 inches from coupler to coupler.

Wheelbase:  31 1/4" measured from center of front pilot axle to center of rear tender truck axle.


"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

One of the new Davenport Gas Mechanical switchers arrived this afternoon.  I won't get the opportunity to put it in operation till middle of next week.  A trip to Ohio puts operation on hold.

The Davenport arrived in good condition.  No broken or missing parts.  It comes well packaged.  This should be a nice addition to the roster. 

JD

Yes, there are three that come to mind.  Phoenix, Sierra, and Dallee. Take your pick.

JD

Are you making reference to this gondola?



If so, read the documentation that came with the gondola. Also, note that an additional set of off set couplers were provided.  Using these couplers on the gondola will allow them to align with the couplers on the 2-8-0 as well as any Bachmann rolling stock that has truck mounted couplers.

Actually rather simple when you come right down to it.

JD

No movement, i.e., slight rotation on the axle is not necessarily so.

Having replaced counterweights on eleven K-27 locomotives I've noticed that on some of the counterweights, when properly installed there could still be a very slight amount of rotation of the weight on the axle.  This slight rotation, certainly not 5%. however that is measured, will not cause a problem. This slight rotation, hardly noticeable, can be determined by holding the opposite counterweight and trying to rotate the counterweight.  Remember these weights are not a press or interference fit on the axle.  Not all replacement counterweights will have this very slight rotation.  Most, if not all weights replaced will not have any rotation. Now I realize that replacement of just eleven sets of couterweights probably does not even come close to all those replaced by TLIHOM, however eleven does seem a reasonable sample.

The old counterweights had two slots in the mounting face where the screw and washer set against the counterweight. If your counterweight does not have these two slots, that is, the mounting face is smooth with no slots then these are the new counterweights.

Look at one of your counterweights. If it does not have the slots in the mounting face, as described above, then you have the new weights.  On all the weights replaced, the originals had these two slots in the mounting face. Replacement weights had no slots with the mounting face of the counterweight being smooth.  This is the mounting face where the washers and mounting screw attach the weight to the axle.

       (Just one of the "enthusiastic children")

JD

Yes, this is normal.

The front truck drives the crankshaft and cylinders.  The rear trucks drive shaft is not directly connected to provide motion to the crankshaft.

This setup has been used on all Shay locomotives since their introduction.


        (Posted by one of the "enthusiastic children")

JD

Graham,
I can't help you with your situation.

I pitched the original weights so don't have any to check against.

Had a K-27 owner stop by to run his #453 that has had the weights replaced.  He did not retain the old weights.

On both my 455 and the 453 we looked them over carefully. We could not see any misalignment of the side rods.

I would suggest that if you still think there is a problem, it will have to be resolved by Bachmann.  I do doubt however that any replacement counterweights will be different from  those you now have. 

This is the best that I can offer on your situation. 

JD

Graham.
I'm not sure I understand your reference to the screw shaft.  Is this a reference to the crank pins on the counterweights?

I've replaced eleven sets of counterweights.  Now that's not a lot of counterweights but in each case the replacements lined up just fine and the side rods were straight.  You no doubt have noticed that the side rods are segmented (hinged).  This is probably to allow for a certain amount of "flexing" as a one piece side rod would have a tendency to bind.  So, there could be times when the side rods are not on a perfect plain since each axle is independent of the others.



From this picture you can see that the side rod is on the same plain from back to front.

Now possibly you received a set of counterweights that where not properly drilled and taped.  If that is the case then you'll need to get another set from Bachmann.  But, as I said with eleven sets installed this situation has never come up. 

If it were my K-27 I'd install the replacements and see how it operates.


JD