N scale camel back

[mrp]

rslaserkits shows a camel back kit for sale at http://www.rslaserkits.com/N-RollingStock.html

Anyone have any experience with this kit?
Same question for the Fleischmann mechanism - any good? wheel flanges on code 55?

As far as I know, this is the only camel back in N scale.

Thank you
Michael Pennie

[peteski]

Those 4-6-0 models are tender-drive (typical of Fleishcmann models). To clarify, the motor is in the tender and it drives the tender wheels (most of which have traction tires).  Uses their typical 3-pole straight-wound motor which is quite robust, but not quite as smooth in slow speeds as for example Kato Mikado.  The loco is a free-rolling dummy which is used for electric pickup.    The valve gear is well-detailed and the drivers have fine spoke details.  Flanges are deep, typical of European models. I haven't specifically measured this model but I would assume the typical depth (0.025-0.030"). I have not tried it on Atlas C55 track but I suspect it might have problems.  Maybe someone else ran these on C55 track and can chime in.

[pmpexpress]

Michael,

The Camel Back and Casey Jones 4-6-0 steam locomotives kits are manufactured by Aspenmodel (formerly Intermodal and Westmodel).

As I recall, RSLaserKits is the exclusive North American importer for Aspenmodel, which once had a sales office in the US.

Available in ready-to-run and kit versions, the German manufactured products were given a rudimentary review (i.e., of the Fleischmann mechanism) at the following Spookshow web address:

http://www.spookshow.net/loco/imsteam.html

The general composition of  the kit's brass components can be ascertained by viewing the
zoom image of the Casey Jones kit, which has been listed by Aspenmodel at the following web address:

http://aspenmodel.com/Steam-Diesel-Locomotives-Z-Nn3-N/Steam-Locomotives-Gauge-N/30048-Kit-N-Illinois-Central-R-R-4-6-0-Casey-Jones-Brass::943.html

Oddly enough, the Camel Back locomotive is no longer listed on the Aspenmodel site.

The Fleischmann 7161 and the 7167 models are discontinued products.

[Chris333]

I clicked the link...now I know to never visit that website again! 

[peteski]

The Fleischmann 7161 and the 7167 models are discontinued products.

That's true but they should be readily available on eBay or similar auction sites.  Also, there are several currently available Fleischmann locos using the same mechanism: 716086, 716007, 716006, 716087, 716802, 716882.  All are currently in stock at DM-Toys.  Some of those locos use solid (not spoked) leading truck wheels.

[wazzou]

I clicked the link...now I know to never visit that website again! 

Which one?

[pmpexpress]

I clicked the link...now I know to never visit that website again! 

???

[Chris333]

RSlaser I felt like something was trying to kill me.  Their old site was fine.

[pmpexpress]

That's true but they should be readily available on eBay or similar auction sites.  Also, there are several currently available Fleischmann locos using the same mechanism: 716086, 716007, 716006, 716087, 716802, 716882.  All are currently in stock at DM-Toys.  Some of those locos use solid (not spoked) leading truck wheels.

Only two used models available from the United Kingdom and Italy on eBay right now.

A vote up for you...

Thanks for letting us know about the availability of alternative Fleischmann models using the 7161 and 7167 4-6-0 mechanism.

Has the chassis been improved (e.g., DCC ready/enabled and/or smaller wheel flanges) since its original incarnation?

[peteski]

Only two used models available from the United Kingdom and Italy on eBay right now.

A vote up for you...

Thanks for letting us know about the availability of alternative Fleischmann models using the 7161 and 7167 4-6-0 mechanism.

Has the chassis been improved (e.g., DCC ready/enabled and/or smaller wheel flanges) since its original incarnation?

DCC-ready?  Not that I can see, but some of those models do come with factory-installed decoders.  As far as the flanges go, I also doubt that they are any smaller than original. But maybe they did make them a bit smaller (but by not much).  That info is not available in the manufacturers literature. But going by experience, European models are still made using the old-style deep flanges.

Here are the links to DC models.
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Fleischmann_716802.html
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Fleischmann-716007.html
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Fleischmann-716006.html

And DCC-equipped.
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Fleischmann_716882.html
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Fleischmann_716087.html
https://www.en.dm-toys.de/produktdetails/items/Fleischmann-716086.html

[pmpexpress]

Peteski.

Really surprised at how little product information (in either German or English) is provided by Fleischmann.

To All,

Using the alternative models list that Peteski has so kindly provided, a bit of further research revealed the following information:

Released in 2014, the spoked lead truck Fleischmann 716006 appears to have a flywheel and seems to be discontinued at most retail locations.

A new release for 2016, the spoked lead truck Fleischmann 716802, which is priced at $179.00, looks like the best choice for a DC model.

https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Fleischmann/716802.aspx

A new release for 2016, wih a 6-Pin DCC decoder, the spoked lead wheel Fleischmann 716882, which is priced at $219.00, looks like the best price for a DCC equipped model.

https://www.reynaulds.com/products/Fleischmann/716882.aspx

Thanks again to Peteski for the heads up and additional information.

[peteski]

Peteski.

Really surprised at how little product information (in either German or English) is provided by Fleischmann.

If you go directly to the Fleischmann's website and look up those models there you might find more details.  I just looked them up on DM-Toys webside becuase they show what is actually available for sale.  Reynaulds also stocks these models too but they are usually couple months behind getting their stock (and unlike DM-Toys, their website does not show real-time stock status).

[pmpexpress]

If you go directly to the Fleischmann's website and look up those models there you might find more details.  I just looked them up on DM-Toys webside becuase they show what is actually available for sale.  Reynaulds also stocks these models too but they are usually couple months behind getting their stock (and unlike DM-Toys, their website does not show real-time stock status).

Actually used the Chrome translator to view the Fleischmann site and found it to be lacking any (aside from coupler related) useful information.

The data that I was able to obtain came from Reynaulds and Euro Rail Hobbies.

Surprisingly enough, none of the models on your suggested alternatives list appeared in any (US nor foreign) eBay listings.

Liking the idea of real-time stock status, when I get the chance, will check DM-Toys out.

Thanks again.

[Chris333]

To the original poster. I think one of the easiest camelbacks to make in N scale would be to take an MDC/Athearn 2-6-0 or 2-8-0 and literally just move the cab foreward. Build a wider firebox out of sheet styrene.

[peteski]

Actually used the Chrome translator to view the Fleischmann site and found it to be lacking any (aside from coupler related) useful information.

The data that I was able to obtain came from Reynaulds and Euro Rail Hobbies.

Surprisingly enough, none of the models on your suggested alternatives list appeared in any (US nor foreign) eBay listings.

Liking the idea of real-time stock status, when I get the chance, will check DM-Toys out.

Thanks again.

Neville,
What kind of specific info are you looking for?  Fleischmann has an English version of their website which is well done.   Reynaulds gets their info from Fleischmann (often word-for-word copy of Fleischmann website).  Take the 716087 for example:

Look at the Fleischammn website - here is a direct link to the English version:
http://www.fleischmann.de/en/product/234772-716087-0-0-0-0-0-002001/products.html

And here is a link to the Reynaulds description of the same model:
http://www.reynaulds.com/products/Fleischmann/716087.aspx

Description direct from Fleischmann:

Railway company:
Österreichische Bundesbahn (ab 1945)
Epoch: III
Gauge: N
Elect. system: DC
Steam locomotive series 638. ÖBB. Epoch III. The model is equipped with a load sensing DCC decoder from factory. Can be used in digital mode. In true to the original livery and lettering. In-plane applied windows. Fully moveable Heusinger control. Brake shoes between the driving wheels. Metal die-cast bogie. Drive on all 4 axles. Dual headlights.
Specifications:
General data
Number of axles with traction tyres       2
Number of driven axles       4
Traction tyres       4
Coupling       
            
Electrical
Digital decoder       
Head light       2-headlight in front
Decoder mode       DCC
Measurements
Length over buffer       122 mm

Description from Reynaulds:

Prototype: Steam locomotive series 638 ÖBB, era III

Model: ships from the factory with a load- controlled DCC - decoder for digital operation . Prototypical coloring and lettering . Inset windows . Portable Heusinger control . Brake shoes between the wheels . Die-cast metal chassis . 4 axles powered . Traction tires. The dual headlights lighting .

As you can see the Fleischmann site actually has more info than Reynaulds.