N scale camel back

[pmpexpress]

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).

Peteski,

The type of information that is listed in your response.

Abbreviated, whatever German language Fleischmann site I was on failed to mention "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."

Have bookmarked the English language site that you have so kindly provided.

As the 2014 release,  Fleischmann 716006 was listed on one of the retailer sites as having a flywheel, I am wondering if this is the case with the other models?

Also wondering if Fleischmann is still using their old, 3-pole straight-wound motor?

Neither of these details is mentioned in the product descriptions.

Presumably manufactured in China, given the addition of DCC decoders on some models and an added flywheel on at least one version of the tender chassis, one has to wonder if the motor was also updated.

[peteski]

Peteski,

The type of information that is listed in your response.

Abbreviated, whatever German language Fleischmann site I was on failed to mention "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."

Have bookmarked the English language site that you have so kindly provided.

As the 2014 release,  Fleischmann 716006 was listed on one of the retailer sites as having a flywheel, I am wondering if this is the case with the other models?

Also wondering if Fleischmann is still using their old, 3-pole straight-wound motor?

Neither of these details is mentioned in the product descriptions.

Presumably manufactured in China, given the addition of DCC decoders on some models and an added flywheel on at least one version of the tender chassis, one has to wonder if the motor was also updated.

As far as I know (I just bought a "new for 2015" Fleischmann locomotive), they still use their large 3-pole straight-wound armature motors.  Those might not be the smoothest at slow speeds but they have lots of torque.  Flywheel?  Look at the parts data sheet for that loco to see its internal construction.  One way to get to it is to go to the page for the specific model then select the "Downloads" tab. There should be a link to parts list. A picture is worth a 100 words. Fleischmann has those sheets for most of their models (I still have the old 3-ring binder hard-copy version at home).  Anyways, for the loco we have been discussing, here is a direct link to the parts list: http://www.fleischmann.de/doc/et/2/de/716087_203228.pdf No flywheel of any kind and the old-style motor.  Fleischmann has one of the most informative websites and one of the best spare parts availability in the industry.  But I go to DM-Toys for real-time stock check of all my European N scale models.

Like you suspect, Fleischmann (like most European manufacturers) no longer makes models in Germany. Unfortunately the quality suffers - those models are nowhere as well assembled and decorated as when they were made in Germany.  But Fleischmann (surprisingly) chose Romania, not China to have their locos assembled. Probably because of much easier logistics.  Romania is so much closer to Germany than China and I guess labor is cheap too.

[pmpexpress]

Look at the parts data sheet for that loco to see its internal construction.  One way to get to it is to go to the page for the specific model then select the "Downloads" tab. There should be a link to parts list. A picture is worth a 100 words. Fleischmann has those sheets for most of their models (I still have the old 3-ring binder hard-copy version at home).  Anyways, for the loco we have been discussing, here is a direct link to the parts list: http://www.fleischmann.de/doc/et/2/de/716087_203228.pdf No flywheel of any kind and the old-style motor.  Fleischmann has one of the most informative websites and one of the best spare parts availability in the industry.

Unfortunately, although there was a parts list with one item listed, accessing the download tab (which was not functional) was not an option on the German language site that I had inadvertently went to.

I still have the old 3-ring binder hard-copy version at home. But I go to DM-Toys for real-time stock check of all my European N scale models.

Whenever I am stumped by a lack of retrievable data, will need to remind myself that you own some contemporary European models and that your knowledge of their attributes and construction may resolve any lingering questions.

Like you suspect, Fleischmann (like most European manufacturers) no longer makes models in Germany. Unfortunately the quality suffers - those models are nowhere as well assembled and decorated as when they were made in Germany.  But Fleischmann (surprisingly) chose Romania, not China to have their locos assembled. Probably because of much easier logistics.  Romania is so much closer to Germany than China and I guess labor is cheap too.

So far, I have been disappointed with the build quality of previously German manufactured N and HO kits and models, whose production has now been outsourced to China.

Train manufacturing outsourced to Romania?

Given the quality-control and design issues that were inherent to Yugoslavian made models (in various scales), I certainly wouldn't have believed that Romania was up to the task of delivering high-quality decoration and small, precision mechanisms.

Although aware that Romania had joined the EU in 2007, I was lead to believe that its economy was primarily based upon services, and automobile, machinery, and oil and gas production, rather than manufacturing of consumer goods, such as hobby products.

Wonder if any other model model train manufacturers have considered producing their home-designed products in Romania?

[mrp]

Gents

Thanks for all the replies.
Still not sure is I will take the plunge for this.


Michael Pennie

[Nato]

               A zillion years ago when Aspen Models was Aspen Models, I used a kit they had of a one piece metal Camel Back boiler and cab, that replaced the boiler on the Trix Pennsylvania 0-6-0 . It was a quick and dirty conversion, I did not even attempt to detail it not even wire handrails. I painted the shell Flat Black, repainted the tender and decaled it for B&O. I still have it squirrled away somewhere. The heavy weight of the cast boiler made it a great puller, but like all early N Gauge locomotives it had no slow speed, only stop and race. I also purchased from Aspen Model (Models?) an American 4-6-0 built on a Fleishman drive , and I purchased a Fleishman 4-6-0 which I converted my self using the boiler with cab from the old Arnold Rapido 0-6-0 which was just long enough and with a fairly large cab to look ok on this drive train. The down side if I' am remembering correctly, the Fleishman locomotives while smooth runners again had no slow speed back then. Nate Goodman (Nato).   

[mrp]

Mr. Goodman

Any thoughts on the Bachman 4-6-0?

Michael Pennie

[Nato]

               The  Bachmann 4-6-0 is a nice little locomotive. I own two a Union Pacific and an undecorated. The big complaint when they came out was the overly large tender, very similar UP locomotives had smaller tenders, several modelers here on the Railwire did a masterful job of making smaller tenders. Bachmann solved that problem with their next small steam locomotive with a smaller tender that also has the decoder in it. Back to the 4-6-0. Mine are smooth running even with a low end decoder that Bachmann  has used. I have operated both locomotives for countless hours on the Wasatch N Scale http://wasatchnscale.org layout at train shows , this layout can run either DC or DCC. I did have one locomotive short out on a switch at a show the rear tender truck had a melt down and fell apart, spare parts fixed that, the club layout has since installed better protection from shorts. I would recommend this locomotive for a possible conversion. Coming soon all three of the Bachmann smaller steam locomotives 2-8-0, 4-6-0 and 2-6-0 with as Bachmann calls it "Sound Value" sound. Nate Goodman (Nato). Salt Lake, Utah.   

[peteski]

Isn't the Bachmann new 4-6-0 depicting a fairly small loco? Too small maybe to properly represent a camelback?

[160pennsy]

Peteski.


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.

@pmpexpress & @peteski...Wanted to thank you gentlemen for posting details on suitable Fleischmann steam 4-6-0 models that can be used for the Aspenmodel Camelback kit 30098. My kit arrived (see below photos) and I was able to source the OOP Fleischmann 716882 via eBay. More updates to follow after the loco arrives, some test runs are made and I can start disassembly.

Will also need to do some research on prototypical 4-6-0 camelback locos to see how realistic this kit is.

[peteski]

I'm glad I was able to offer assistance Paul.
While it makes me sad that such a beautifully decorated boiler will be discarded, it is for a worthy cause. I hope you will post some construction photos.

I also just realized that this thread is back from 2016.  That's almost 6 years ago!  Hey, several of my in-progress (or in planning stage) projects are much older than that. 

[160pennsy]

Hi Pete,

From what I've read on the Fleischmann 716882 4-6-0 it comes with a 6 pin DCC decoder - do you have any photos of similar steam locos or details on the decoder type & if it's mounted in the cab or tender?

[peteski]

Hi Pete,

From what I've read on the Fleischmann 716882 4-6-0 it comes with a 6 pin DCC decoder - do you have any photos of similar steam locos or details on the decoder type & if it's mounted in the cab or tender?

Paul, most of my Fleischmann European steam locos are made in pre-DCC days.  To get more info about your loco go to:
https://www.fleischmann.de/en/product/230784-716882-0-0-0-0-0-002001-1/products.html
Then under "downloads" there is a PDF "Spare parts list".
https://www.fleischmann.de/doc/et/2/de/716882_203289.pdf

Looking at the pictures and part descriptions it appears that the decoder is in the tender (above the motor). Unfortunately they don't show the full PC board. The closest you can see is assembly #36. It only shows the front part of the PC board.

A 6-pin decoder is a standard decoder made by pretty much every DCC manufacturer.  It uses a standard pinout.

[keeper]

Re Fleischmann P8 / BR 38

There were quite a lot of different models done over the years, the recent ones in DCC.
This is quite a list for just one steamer:

https://www.spur-n-datenbank.de/cb_ergebnis.php?s_katid=349&s_hersteller=Fleischmann

Thomas 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Whoa! This is gonna be awesome.

My Reading steam book is with my Dad at the moment, but I'll ask him to get some photos of the 4-6-0s for you. I know 4-4-2s were more common, especially in the SJ area, but I know ya gotta take what you can!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@EdKap2 comes through.