Yes, the 4-6-0 fluted domes appear to fit nicely on the Mogul boiler.  The boiler diameter looks almost exactly right, but the domes might need a little sanding at the base.  I thought the steam dome might be a bit large, but it's about the same height at the Mogul dome.  And Bachmann made the fluted domes in 3 parts, so it would be easy to paint the middle band a different color.

Wow, a nice pointy pilot and maybe a new smokestack, and you're on your way to a backdated Mogul.

manager

Instead of a 2-6-0, why not make your own 4-6-0?  I thought the wheel spacing on the IF 4-4-0 was a bit off, so I did a quick Photoshop of the 4-4-0 with the mechanism and drivers from the HO 4-6-0, the one with the smaller drivers.  The scale is exact, but of course there would probably need to be some metal grinding, and some adjustment to the rods.



Manager

I've used 6" radius curves on my micro-layout, and the 0-4-0 and Diesel handle them fine.  The side-dump mine cars also work, but I mainly run HO Thomas cars that are heavily bashed.  It was a test layout, but it's really fun to take to shows.  It's on Youtube, if you search for On30 and grits3d.

Manager

Which one, Dustin?  It would be interesting to hear opinions on the various options.  I rather prefer #1, but I'm not really a Heisler fan.

Manager

Hi guys, I'm wanting to replace the incandescent bulb on the old DC powered 2-6-0 with an LED headlight, the sort that comes with current Bachmann kits.  The LED would be wired in parallel with the motor, so it's getting track voltage, which I'm pretty sure is too much.  Would I need to bridge the wires to the headlight with a resistor?  Can someone suggest the size of resistor to use?

Any help would be appreciated.  As you can tell, I know just enough to be dangerous.

Manager

Hi Steve, the Forney can also be pulled off the track when pulling shorter freight cars.  I seem to recall that mine would do OK on 18" curves pulling something long, like a Bachmann passenger car, but shorter cars like the freight cars would cause the Forney to derail.  I  believe that 22" radius curves are recommended.

Manager

Ken Berlo at Mount Blue Model Co also makes some excellent cabs.  I used a wood cab when I bashed my Forney into a 2-4-0, and he's also got cabs for the IF 4-4-0.  Perhaps he will do one for the 4-6-0.

Manager

I would add that you might have a problem with the old Atlas switch machines.  My 2-8-0 would catch on these when I ran it on a test layout.  Also, you might run into problems if you use a set of risers to elevate the track, where the track is supported only by these plastic risers, usually where the track sections connect, and between the risers the train is supported only by the rails and ties, with nothing beneath.

Other than that, no worries...

Manager

Jim, I did a quick comparison of the "Milan" drawings with the drawings for the inside-framed 4-4-0, and they are similar in height.  The 2-6-6-2 is longer, of course, and when the back of the cabs are lined up, the front of the 4-4-0 smokebox lines up with the point where the 2-6-6-2 smokebox attaches to the boiler.  In other words, the 2-6-6-2 boiler seems to be longer by the length of the smokebox. 

But it will be helpful to see the 2-6-6-2 [and the 4-6-0] in context on a layout, next to other locos and rolling stock.  I'm anticipating that...

Manager

We really don't know if Bachmann has ruled out a Heisler -- Just that there hasn't been one announced yet.

Perhaps Bachmann is holding off on releasing a Heisler until they can develop a model that runs really well.  Or maybe they are trying to figure out which Heisler to replicate.  All of the threads I've seen show a variety of suggestions for a prototype, and they may think that whatever Heisler they choose, half of the Heisler guys aren't going to like it.  I could be wrong, and it would make an interesting topic for a new thread.

The On30 community is diverse in their interests, and it's a challenge to balance a product line to appeal to the widest possible cross-section.

Here's my approach when Bachmann doesn't build what I want: Find a way to build your own version, in the On30 tradition.  Seems like I saw an On30 body that would fit over an HO Rivarossi Heisler mechanism, which is in development.  Then, once you've gone to great lengths to bash your own version, Bachmann will announce the loco you were looking for all along, usually for less dollars and with higher quality than your bash.

Manager

Hi guys, I finally uploaded the video from the Hoosier On30 Mini-Meet in April.  Much thanks to Al Askerburg for organizing this meet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbtIkmMz2qI

Gary Gresham

Hey Lemunian, I did some size comparisons on the 4-6-0, using dimensioned line drawings printed to 1:48 scale.  The overall length of the 4-6-0 and 2-8-0 look to be very close, although the 4-6-0 has a longer boiler, and sits higher.  And keep in mind, this is just an estimate.  The actual model could be a bit different.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Gresham.Media/LocoComps#5224413858222673058

Here is the comp with the Mogul.  And thanks much for the link to the Japanese Hobby Shop with the 4-6-0 shots.  That got the anticipation rolling.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Gresham.Media/LocoComps#5224413857754381698

They also don't show #28698, but it's basically the Greenbriar without the lettering, from what I can tell.  With just one wood cab / fluted domes in the lot, it sure would be helpful to have those sold as separate items.

The anticipation just kicked into high gear. 

Manager

I still think a plug-n-play sound system, sold as a separate item, would be ideal.  The loco would have to be 100% sound ready, but it seems that Bachmann has been heading in that direction already.  For customers like me, it's easier to get 2 smaller purchases past the "budget committee" [i.e., wife].

In regard to pirates, I had this odd mental image of a bunch of train guys with eye patches and swords, and maybe a stuffed parrot or two, climbing over the railing of this big container ship as it's docked in Hawaii, and looking for the Bachmann container.  Argh!

Manager

Personally, I would like to see all of the newer LS freight cars shrunk down to On30, caboose included.  It seems to have been a good idea with the ET&WNC 4-6-0.  Then again, I could just buy the LS versions and wash them in hot water...

Manager.