The new Bachmann 2-4-2T was put into revenue service this past weekend at the Chippokes Steam and Gas Engine Festival.  The little tanker's performance was flawless.



The 2-4-2T is on the headend of a passenger consist.  It can be reported that the locomotive is right at home on 2 ft. radius curves.  Very quiet and smooth operation.  Throttle response is smooth from start all the way through the speed range.


"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

The CD&StL took delivery of their new 2-4-2T late this afternoon.  The new 2-4-2T is light years ahead of the original 2-4-2T offered years ago.

While not a Spectrum series locomotive, the level of detail rivals that of the Spectrum line.





The new side tanker was given a quick lubrication and then run light for about an hour.  It runs smooth as silk.  Bachmann has hit a home run with this locomotive, at least based on the initial test run.  This will make a great locomotive for those with tight radius curves.  

Take a close look at this 2-4-2T. It may be just the locomotive you are looking for and at a price that won't break the bank.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Gandy Dancer

"Historical" Loco Bill has provided a very complete listing of these very early Porters.  These Porters  had a running time before failure that could be measured in minutes, for the most part.

You may be thinking of the Porter introduced in the 1998 catalog.  That Porter was a step between the Porter being discussed and the later 1:20.3 Porter.  The Porter introduced in 1998 was listed in the catalog having numbers 11396, 11397, and 11398.

These 1998 version Porter locomotives were greatly improved over the original versions. These Porters had among other features metal mainrods, siderods and valve gear.  Most, if not all, detail  parts were metal.  The chassis had an equalized front axle.

These Porters have proven over the years to be good runners and very reliable.

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

The K-27 is now all put back together.  Spent most of today running with the new Edington gear box.  Slow speed and power are excellent.  Still has some gear whine.  Will experiment with some various types of lubricant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lr1rb6EsA4

This is a video of the k-27 slow running passing Delphos Depot with 18 loads.  The locomotive will maintain its speed around both 5' and 10' radius curves without slowing.  Given its performance the K-27 should be able to handle at least 25-30 loads on the CD&StL.

There are no grades on the CD&StL.  Our Track Foreman describes the profile as "undulating."  We can live with that!

One of the "Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Kevin,
thanks for the great tip.  I'll try to remember that with my 2K2 sound cards.  However, this Phoenix is one of the old BIg Sound systems that uses pre-programmed chips.  Not much I can do to change them.  Guess I should have mentioned that so as not to confuse folks.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

Completed the installation of Rodney's gear box to the point I could make an initial test run this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrAw-fO2d44

This is the video of the K-27 with Rodney's gear box.  Installation was a piece of cake.  Moved a PC board at  back of boiler top to give more clearance.  Also modified fan location.  

You'll note the boiler/cab is not put in place.  That's masking tape on the cab holding up the foot board.

My battery was just about run down when the runs were made.  The gear box is smooth as silk.  At slow speed you can not hear any gear noise.  Any noise will be covered by the Phoenix sound.  The engine will run so slow the micro-processor in my old Phoenix system gets confused and keeps blowing the start forward signa.

It appears the 14.4 volts and the RCS PnP system will run the K-27 at speeds we usually run on the CD&stL.

Need to get the locomotive all put back together and do some serious running.  The K-27 does real well for a locomotive with over 1000 hours of run time.  I could find no wear on any components.  The K-27 has proven to be bullet proof.  Rodney's gear reduction box will only make the k-27 that much better.  Thanks for all your hard work Rodney.


One of the "Enthusiastic Children"


JD

John,
Thanks for the information on Mr. Edington's gear box.  Also thanks for posting the video.

I sent my motor to him this morning to have a gear box installed.  Sent an e-mail and he responded the unit will be returned the first part of next week.

I've had the K-27 since they were first introduced.  My K-27 has in excess of 1000 hours of run time.  Never a problem with anything on the locomotive.  It's proven to be bullet proof.  The Edington great box should make this fine unit even better.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

Good news that Irvin has retired and now will have some time to enjoy himself and not having to go to work.

Not such good news for those of us that have come to count on Irvin for his great service and commitment to Bachmann's customers.  Irvin was the "go to" guy.  Always a pleasure to deal with Irvin.  He's left some big shoes to fill.

One of the "Enthusiastic" children

JD

In addition to the two screws there are two "lugs" that hold the cylinder assembly in place.

Turn the locomotive over.  Remove the screws that attach the ash pan.  There is a PCB that has the LEDs for ash pan flicker.  Move it aside.  Look along the inside of the fire box in the area next to the cylinders.

You will see two "lugs" for want of a better word.  These lugs fit through what I call key holes.  Turn the lugs to line up with the key holes.  Then the cylinder assembly can be removed.  If these additional "lugs" are not aligned where they go through the fire box side the cylinders can not be removed.

As an example. Check page 20 of the Pardee & Curtin Lbr. Co. Operator's Manual.  Page 20 is titled "Chassis and Superstructure."  While difficult to see, you will see the two lugs, their screws, and the "key holes" depicted in this diagram.  You can find this same representation in the other Operator's Manuals for the various Shay locomotives.


One of the "Enthusiastic" Children

JD

55 ton uses the exact same power blocks/trucks as the two truck 38 ton version.

Certainly folks must have seen pictures of Shay locomotives 1:1 scale crossing low water where the tracks are submerged.  If a big Shay can ford a stream then I figured my Bachmann Shay could do the same thing.

One of the "Enthusiastic" Children

JD

Does this count for operating in water?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcsBhmkfLFc

This is a 38 ton Shay plowing snow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y74VzVVVCIA

Another video of the Shay plowing snow.  Had a little trouble with my RC throttle but we got the job done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvwkBgAtB00

This is a video of a 2-6-0 Indy pushing the camera car around the layout after plowing.


I use either a Shay or Connie to plow on the CD&StL.  I've been plowing snow using Bachmann engines for the last 7 or 8 years.  Sure haven't had any mechanical or electrical problems due to running in the snow.  You just have to use some commons sense and also make sure the equipment is put out in the cold so it gets to the outside temp before placing on the track.

One more observation.  We run in the rain.  That usually happens when we get together for an operating session at one of our members layouts.  We sure aren't going to allow a little rain to stop our fun.  I've run just about every type Bachmann locomotive in the rain with no ill effects.  We run all manufacturers engines in the rain.  On some diesels you have to cover the roof vents to keep the water out.

There have been extensive postings on LSOL over the years by those of us that look forward to plowing snow. We exchange information and the techniques used when conducting plow operations.

One of the "Enthusiastic" Children

JD

Anctmariner,

Since you bought one of the first edition Climax locomotives you may want to check the rear drive shaft.



Chances are the rear drive shaft has not been upgraded to the two piece drive shaft pictured above.  Without the two piece drive shaft the gear box will be subject to locking up.  Torque from the two motor blocks feeding into the gear box will cause the problem.

If your Climax doesn't have the drive shaft pictured there's a good possibility one of the universal joints or other drive line components will be broken.

Bachmann service should be able to supply the two piece dirve shaft.


"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD

You'll find you get what you pay for.

One system I would not recommend is the Dallee sound system.  It sounds like a sick cow in a hail storm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJOg6TXRqHE

This is a short video I made so folks could hear the Dallee system.  You listen and decide if this is a system you'd want in your Connie.  Cheap is one thing-junk is something else!!!!!

Of course some operators will accept anything as long as it makes noise.

As Kevin mentioned for DC operation Phoenix is top of the line.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

Dave,

Checked the Shays this morning.

Since your Shay has the 4 screw motor block cover then that would indicate the motor blocks are the latest metal case version.

The 36 ton Shays that I have came with either 8 or 6 screws attaching the bottom cover.  These have the plastic case motor block.

The 38 ton Shay I have has the metal motor block case and has four screws that attach the bottom cover.

"One of the Enthusiastic Children"

JD