I had originally planned to only purchase one Heisler and to use it as the yard and sometimes woods switch engine. With the arrival of my Backwoods Miniatures conversion kit, I might have to rethink that concept. The kit provides for a wood burning (coal) and oil burning conversion.

It is simple a simple and straightforward looking kit. I have skimmed the directions once. Without including time for painting, this appears to be a conversion that could be done easily in a week of evenings or less. The details included provide a lot of options for variety in how the finished locomotive is detailed.

It is easy to imagine no two finished conversions will look the same.

I just had to share my excitement about the arrival of this kit. I have wanted a Heisler for my roster for some time and this kit will allow me to create the locomotive I envisioned.

For those who have never seen photos of the conversion kit on a finished locomotive, here is the link to the Backwoods Miniatures site.

http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/0n3kits.htm#heisler_conv

I think the Whitcomb is a great addition to the On30 line! It is precisely the kind of locomotive common carrier narrow gauges would have purchased if they had survived into the 1950s and 60s.

It is also a typical industrial line type of motive power. Great for modelers who want to model an industry and its physical plant. It will look good in front of a string of the On30 steel hoppers!

Rather than naysay, I think this broadens the scope for On30!

Thanks for adding a big locomotive that is "modern."

I do sympathize with Royce about an 1880 locomotive that could be modernized by kitbashing, but there's always hope!

Skarloey,

Backwoods has converted HO scale 0-6-0s. Look under R-T-R or scroll way down the On3/On30 product listing page. You will see three different locomotives!

Time to scrape together the money for one of these!

I believe BM is also going to do a "detail only" kit that does not include the body pieces, just the detail parts.

Here is the link:

http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/0n3kits.htm#heisler_conv

Ugly little beast! Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I think this kit is a nice option for those who wanted a more "traditional" Heisler in terms of appearance.

There are numerous examples of narrow gauge locomotives being standard gauged. Also, there is a tiny Pacific that is standard gauge that operates on a tourist line somewhere. It was billed as the tiniest standard gauge 4-6-2 ever built.

Also, if you look at catalogs of say, Porter or Baldwin, you will find model types of locomotives that could be built to a variety of gauges from the stock design.

What would be a large 3 ft. locomotive is a small standard gauge locomotive and for the line who ordered it, they might be looking for light axle loadings, light traffic, etc, and need that size of a locomotive even though the line is standard gauge.

Original standard gauge locomotives were pretty small by later standards.

I think this would be an interesting project and a relatively "inexpensive" way to wind up with a Proto:48 4-6-0 rather than going with a brass locomotive.

I want one of these! Mr. Bachmann? Anyone?!!!!

http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/file.php?1,file=14952

In addition to the White Pass, the Rio Grande tested two diesels for the U.S. Army, one of which wound up on the White Pass. The Rio Grande also had the former Sumpter Valley #100 which became the Rio Grande #50.

The USG operates today with DL535Es originally built for the White Pass.  The two diesels it operated with originally now belong to the Ashby's who used to operate the Georgetown Loop with WSL shays.

The Porter 1203 now operates on the Loop.

These are all fairly large locomotives and would make great models. The U.S. Army locomotives were used with Rio Grande steam and the Porter was backed up by a steam locomotive (it was replaced by the two GE's now at the Colorado Railroad Museum so it is fitting it followed them to the Loop operation.

The Durango & Silverton also has several former steel mill diesels. The C&TS has a nice diesel the #19.

The last two examples are use of both steam and diesel TODAY.

This link will take you to a great little narrow gauge locomotive built by Baldwin.

It would make a great prototype for Bachmann to produce.

http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/file.php?1,file=13093

This is a classic Heisler, still in operation today on the Sumpter Valley operation where she spent most of her original career hauling logs.

The link below will take you to the photo.

http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,171922

Bachmann could sell a lot of these.

As much as I like the Westside Heislers, this one would have as much appeal in my opinion.  It would be popular with On3 guys as well who would convert it from On30 to On3.

I just obtained two kits from Deerfield River Laser. One is for EBT Coach #8-11. The other is for an ET&WNC coach.

Neither is an exact replica kit, though Deerfield does make kits that produce replicas.

These are laser cut wood kits designed to retrofit the Bachmann passenger coaches. 

I have not assembled either yet but have read the directions. Less painting, decaling and weathering it is my estimation that assembly will be 1.5 hours for the first and much less for the second kit. Through glue drying time as well.

The links below should take you right to the page for each kit.

http://www.deerfieldriverlaser.com/EBTCarsSides.html

http://www.deerfieldriverlaser.com/TweetsieCarsSides.html

Deerfield also makes Maine 2 ft. coaches.

http://www.deerfieldriverlaser.com/CarsSides.html



Deerfield makes closed vestibule ET&WNC coaches as well, but alas, no short Bachmann version just yet.

Also, no Rio Grande style RPO but there is hope.

For those who would like one of these and not wait for Bachmann to manufacture one - Deerfield River Laser makes a nice kit.  I have assembled several of their kits and they are excellent. The link below will take you directly to the web page for the kit.

http://www.deerfieldriverlaser.com/DRL-O-104.html

The link below will take you to a photo of the newly restored to operation former Argent Lumber Co. No. Six, also former Surry, Sussex & Southampton No. 6. She looks much better than she did on the Argent as she operates on the Mid-western Central.

http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php?1,168302,168499#msg-168499

I may purchase more of the current OF 4-4-0 or OF 2-8-0.  However, I will not be obtaining any forth coming locomotives unless they are:

1) Any Argent Lumber Company locomotive

2) A NG-16 Garratt

3) The long wanted Heisler!!!!!!!!

Very nice!

For those who complain about the Bachmann choice in locomotives - these are nice examples of how with paint - and if you so choose, re-detailing - these locomotives make excellent finished steam power.

Here is a great video on youtube about WW I 2 foot operations. Evidently it is from an old documentary done during the war.  It is a silent film.  It starts with, and has, a little standard gauge stuff but otherwise is all 2 ft.

Really great stuff. You see the laying of track, both in traditional fashion and snap track - see there really is a prototype for everything!

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTL3Pl13QVQ