I believe several were used for training purposes for the U.S. Army's Railway Operating Battalions. I also believe one or two went to a southern logging line.

I have seen photos of these in the United States post-WW I but cannot recall where.

Those would make great industrial locomotives sold as surplus post-war.

They would also make great kit-bash fodder.

I would pick some up.

Given the fact I use On30 for poor man's On3, I spend time on the On3 boards.

There seems to be a universal interest among the non-Rio Grande guys and the pre-1900 modelers in a the stock Baldwin 4-4-0 and 2-6-0 locomotives.

These would be great starting points to build most of the NCNG fleet. A BLI C-16 with whaleback tender kit would provide you with NCNG #8.

These locomotives were rebuilt till they were worn completely out by the small, cash strapped narrow gauges that purchased them, so they could be modeled as wood or coal burners pre-1900 and as modernized, steel cabbed, air-brake equipped oil burners operating till the Great Depression.

If designed like the locomotive that started it all, the Brooks 2-6-0, it would be an easy conversion to On3, increasing the size of the market.

A slick, fancy paint job with lots of colors, might (not enough knowledge to know for sure here marketingwise) make for a great train set for people who want an "old timey" train to run for fun or with the grandkids.

These locomotives wound up all over the place, starting as the main power for the common carriers and finishing their days on logging and industrial railroads.

Yes, the PCS/Wiseman brass parts might add up, but for me at least, that is a big part of the fun, making it a unique model. None of my Bachmann locomotives are in their original form.

I am pretty sure the On3 guys would be interested in converting them because these Bachmann's rod locomotives operate very reliably, unlike many brass imports.

Well, at least that's my two cents worth.

More than anything, I think a low cost locomotive might be a big boon to On30.

I got into On30 as a way to do "poor man's On3."

Namely, I bought two of the Brooks 2-6-0s.  I really enjoyed bashing them and detailing them into a pair of very unique locomotives.

While I have one of the OF 4-4-0s, and yes, I like it, but it has been modified, a 2-6-6-2, OF 2-8-0, 0-4-2 and a Heisler, I don't think I will be buying anymore steam locomotives. They have simply become too expensive for me.

I understand fully why the cost has gone up. They are much more detailed, etc, than the entry level 2-6-0s introduced oh so long ago, come with DCC, etc.

I have two girls in college, so funds are really tight.

A simple, lower cost locomotive inserted into the production schedule might pay dividends in attracting new blood to On30 and allowing us to add to our fleet in a more affordable manner.

The old NWSL On3 and HOn3 Spartan series locomotives come to mind. Low cost, low level of detail, but a good starting point for countless possible variations of narrow gauge motive power. I would imagine the On3 guys would buy quite a few as well!

Bachmann has a difficult task of deciding what models to produce so they can both make a profit and make us, the picky niche group of modelers, happy.

I plan to eventually obtain one of the Whitcombs - I just like the diesels I posted the links too as I have seen both in operation.

As was mentioned in an earlier post, Bachmann is probably watching how this locomotive does saleswise before producing another diesel.

Note, I said I plan to obtain one eventually. The family pocketbook has been hit hard by the economy, marrying off a daughter recently, burying my father and having my shoulder surgically reconstructed.

In other words, my financially situation is just like most modelers. Life happens and we don't always get to buy the goodies we want.

I'll get one eventually though. I just cannot do it the instant the locomotive hits the market like I normally would.

These might be better with the inside frame 4-4-0, and even the OF 4-4-0. I think they would be a really nice addition to the rolling stock line.

Not exactly a SR&RL #24, but it sure does remind me of 2-6-2s build by Baldwin for the logging industry.  I would spring for one - even though the roster is at its limit!

I would spring for a pair immediately!

The famous John Allen combine would be a nice starting point!

I would bet the On3 guys would spring for quite a few for converting to On3 - at least the freelancers and short line modelers would.

I agree. Eastern Europe had numerous 30 inch lines (750mm?) with fascinating locomotives. If you want to go BIG, the Hartz Mountain line has really cool 2-10-2s!

I wonder if anyone has tried the Bachmann 2-8-0 chassis? It is still in production and might be easier to obtain than the 2-10-0.

Hminky,

Thanks for responding so quickly.

I take it the finished locomotive used the Bowser 2-10-0 chassis with either the last, or first, set of drivers removed?

Also, am I correct you used drivers other than the ones that came with the 2-10-0 chassis?

I am willing to bet if you wrote up an article and submitted it to the On30 Annual it would get published. Several locomotive kitbashing articles have appeared in the On30 Annual.

Hminky,

That is a really nice 2-8-0! And being a fan of the C&S B-4D class I am curious how you did the conversion and what chasis you used for the conversion.

Thank you for sharing the photo.

I also agree with this idea. The 2-6-0 was the entry level locomotive for most of us in On30 and it begs to be modified.

The low price point and plastic body really encourage the practice of kitbashing. I have a pair of 2-6-0s that have more money tied up in the PSC, Back Shop and Wiseman brass and white metal detail parts than the cost of the locomotive itself.

Then there are the aftermarket manufacturers like Backwoods Miniatures, who already offers a Camelback conversion kit for the 2-6-0.

Then there is the possibility of mixing tenders, like a whaleback from Wiseman or Backwoods.

I would like to see the locomotive come decoder ready with a plug for those of use who want DCC and sound but ready to go for those who don't.

I agree the new Yahoo "upgrade" is worse than a downgrade. It is unusable - which leads me to wonder if Yahoo wants the message boards to simply dry up and go away and this is their way of causing that to happen.

Then again, there have been a few, not many, but a few product rollouts that were just as stupid. Remember "New Coke?"

Having been to Skagway and ridden the White Pass, as cool as I think the diesels on this narrow gauge are, these locomotives are HUGE.

The Alcos, the one depicted in the photograph, are essentially standard gauge locomotives on narrow gauge trucks. The GEs, the shovel nose diesels, are huge as well but a bit shorter.

Still, they would make very cool models, you just would have to use broad curves.