Various driver diameters and axle spacing

[Lemosteam]

Been searching here for days.  Next to Nuttin.

Contemplating a project using a 4-8-4 mechanism.  Need scale 68" Scullen or spoked drivers or close to that.

I do not have any of these models so i am hoping someone can help with some measurements

I need Driver diameter at base of flange, flange diameter, and axle spacing for the following models:
(I find it is easiest to measure across the outside of two wheels and between the outside diameter of the same wheels add the values and divide by 2) 

I.e.:
  |<---->|  and     |<-->|   add and divide by 2 = distance between centers    |<--->|
   O      O           O         O                                                                          O        O

Kato FEF

Kato GS-4

Bachmann J class

Bachmann Northern (newest edition)

Thanks in advance for any help!

[thomasjmdavis]

I can't be any real help with this, not having any of these engines.  However, I was tempted to ask the same question earlier today on the GS4 thread in the "Product Discussion".  Would it be OK to add the Con Cor version as well? (I assume they all shared the same chassis)

Given that you are looking at 68" drivers, have you considered using a Mountain or Berkshire (with some modification for the second 4 wheel truck)?  For instance, a USRA Mountain had 69" drivers *if the specs I read on Wiki were correct.

[Lemosteam]

Yes and no- those models are hard to come by and go for a premium as does the M1, so I'm looking to minimize startup cost for a potential kit.

Yes those are incontention too, but they do not have scullen drivers.

[peteski]

I can't be any real help with this, not having any of these engines.  However, I was tempted to ask the same question earlier today on the GS4 thread in the "Product Discussion".  Would it be OK to add the Con Cor version as well? (I assume they all shared the same chassis)

GS4 from Kato (the mechanism) has no relation to anything Con-Cor ever sold.  That's if I'm understanding your statement correctly.

[reinhardtjh]

These are the only ones of those I have that I have measured.

Bachmann J-Class:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.469"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.413"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.453"

Bachmann Light and Heavy Mountain:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.462"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.391"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.429"

Life-Like Berkshire:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.450"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.404"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.445"

Bachmann Kanawha/Berkshire:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.480"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.408"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.460"

I may have to re-measure the Bachmann Kanawha/Berksire. That driver tire diameter doesn't seem quite right.
I have the BLI PRR M1a/b but I haven't measured it.

[thomasjmdavis]

GS4 from Kato (the mechanism) has no relation to anything Con-Cor ever sold.  That's if I'm understanding your statement correctly.

No, I did not word that very well, did I?  What I meant was the several 4-8-4 variations that Con-Cor produced, which I assume were all on the same chassis as the original GN S-2. 

[Lemosteam]

These are the only ones of those I have that I have measured.

Bachmann J-Class:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.469"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.413"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.453"

Bachmann Light and Heavy Mountain:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.462"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.391"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.429"

Life-Like Berkshire:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.450"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.404"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.445"

Bachmann Kanawha/Berkshire:

    Driver axle Spacing: 0.480"
    Driver diameter at flange: 0.408"
    Driver diameter with flange: 0.460"

I may have to re-measure the Bachmann Kanawha/Berksire. That driver tire diameter doesn't seem quite right.
I have the BLI PRR M1a/b but I haven't measured it.

Thanks John!

[draskouasshat]

@Lemosteam
your best bet for a 68" or 70" drivered 8-coupled mechanism is either the M1A or a Bachmann 4-8-2.
the J-class is a good mech but the siderods give the mech a weird look unless those are the rods you need.

Drasko

[Lemosteam]

@Lemosteam
your best bet for a 68" or 70" drivered 8-coupled mechanism is either the M1A or a Bachmann 4-8-2.
the J-class is a good mech but the siderods give the mech a weird look unless those are the rods you need.

Drasko

Yep, need the roller bearing side rod look. Wish I could find a damaged but running donor.

[mike_lawyer]

The Con-Cor S2 is a really good model.  The original ones from 1985 made by Kato are really great locomotives, and the "Rail Baron" ones from the early 2000s are also very good.  Check Spookshow's reviews, there was one version that had bearing blocks that was a real problem, but otherwise, they are really good models.

I never really have liked a lot of the Bachmann steamers, especially for kitbashing purposes.  They are too hit and miss.  Some work well out of the box, others, not so much. 

[SandyEggoJake]

@spookshow

Mark, any interest to add wheel and motor specs to your excellent website for NA N scale locomotives?  If so, I suspect a bunch of us would pitch in to provide you with data. 

I know you have some data on motors already, which is a good start. 

Ideally such info would be both in each record, as well as included in filterable list (or searchable index) for sourcing parts for bashes & interchanges.  Kind of an extension to the start you have for brass gears. 

[spookshow]

Always happy to add any sort of useful info that people might care to contribute. Just drop it to me in an email.

I must add that there was a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement about getting truck measurements into my N Scale Trucks Encyclopedia (the one I inherited from Dan Leavitt), but it all petered out fairly rapidly. So, I'm not making any grandiose plans about searchable indexes and whatnot just yet 

-Mark

[Lemosteam]

Always happy to add any sort of useful info that people might care to contribute. Just drop it to me in an email.

I must add that there was a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement about getting truck measurements into my N Scale Trucks Encyclopedia (the one I inherited from Dan Leavitt), but it all petered out fairly rapidly. So, I'm not making any grandiose plans about searchable indexes and whatnot just yet 

-Mark

Nope, I agree. Just adding it as reference info would be helpful. Would be nice to add manufacturers item numbers to the listings too, as reference.