New Bachmann 4-6-0 (19th century version) info?

[robertjohndavis]

Does anyone else think the drivers are too small, and the tender far too tall?

57” was a common size for freight 4-6-0’s. That would come out to about 9mm. Will be interesting to see the actual wheel size.

This UP loco has 57” drivers

https://digital.denverlibrary.org/nodes/view/1131942

[Nick Lorusso]

I wonder how difficult it will be to move the dome closest to the stack? I see possibilities with this little loco.

[thomasjmdavis]

Does anyone else think the drivers are too small, and the tender far too tall?

The drivers look too small to me, too.  BUT... those flanges.... in one photo, it looks like the flange has its own flange added on.  Maybe it's just my eye, but those remind me of 50 years ago.

The smallest driver I could find on a 4-6-0 was a spec for 54.75" on one built circa 1870, and noted in John H White's book on early steam locos in America.  I would speculate that the overall diameter of the drivers might be close to reality- that is, if measured over the flanges... BUT... that flange looks much larger than... oh, I don't know...  even my Con-cor 'Rail Baron' 4-6-4 of late 1990s vintage.  And bigger than any of my other Bachmann steamers.   And the smaller the wheel, the more apparent big flanges become.

It would be helpful, in this day and age when importers expect us to commit to $400+ dollar purchases sight unseen, if they could at the very least provide minimal information like the length of the model, the wheel diameter of the drivers, and the actual prototype (if any) of the locomotive they are selling us.  Some of this may have been discussed here or elsewhere, but it should be on the catalog page.

[peteski]

I believe what you see as a double flange is the traction tire groove on driver #2.  The traction tire seems to be missing. At least that is how I interpret what I see in those images.

But as typical for Bachmann offerings, the wheel tread appears rather wide. They should take lessons from Kato and others and make their treads narrower. That improves the N scale wheel look quite a bit.

[thomasjmdavis]

I believe what you see as a double flange is the traction tire groove on driver #2.  The traction tire seems to be missing. At least that is how I interpret what I see in those images.

Now that you point that out, I think you are correct, what I am seeing is the tire groove.

[pmpexpress]

It would be helpful, in this day and age when importers expect us to commit to $400+ dollar purchases sight unseen, if they could at the very least provide minimal information like the length of the model, the wheel diameter of the drivers, and the actual prototype (if any) of the locomotive they are selling us.  Some of this may have been discussed here or elsewhere, but it should be on the catalog page.

Unlike prototype modelers, the target buyer for these models likely has no interest in such minutia.

As I recall, one of The Railwire's rotating banners proudly stated, "More Fringe Than Core".

[Dave V]

I really don't need this... But I kinda want it...

[Chris333]

I really don't need this... But I kinda want it...

But sposta to look like this:
https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2135497763

[pmpexpress]

But sposta to look like this:

In addition, in a paint scheme that was typically seen on Central Pacific 4-4-0 locomotives, the one that Bachmann has chosen for its Central Pacific No. 57 Bison 4-6-0 model appears to differ from the black and white photo of the prototype that I came across on the Internet.

Central Pacific No. 57 Bison 4-6-0 Steam Locomotive Prototype Image

[Sokramiketes]

Remember, if you find some good, larger drivers to swap on, the rods will still work.  That's based on driver spacing, not diameter.  So driver swapping should be a doable thing. 

[track1]

Hi all,

The locomotive is based on a home-built Union Pacific prototype with 51 inch drivers. It measures 4.8 inches long from the tip of the cowcatcher to the end of the rear coupler, and 1.2 inches tall. We did have to cheat the tender dimensions slightly, and make the body taller to fit both the decoder and speaker, but otherwise it is true to scale.

In addition, in a paint scheme that was typically seen on Central Pacific 4-4-0 locomotives, the one that Bachmann has chosen for its Central Pacific No. 57 Bison 4-6-0 model appears to differ from the black and white photo of the prototype that I came across on the Internet.

Central Pacific No. 57 Bison 4-6-0 Steam Locomotive Prototype Image

Neville,

We consulted with 19th century locomotive researcher Jim Wilkie for the artwork on these models. He informed us and provided sources that in this common photo of the No. 57 Bison, that the tender the locomotive was posed with was actually "borrowed" from another locomotive with a different number, and was doctored for the photo. The actual tender the Bison was delivered with was closer in appearance to how it was represented on the model, according to Jim's research.

[Dave V]

But sposta to look like this:
https://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2135497763

Yeah, I know...and honestly, I don't really have any rolling stock to run with it. Instead I think I'd rather do the Keystone Details kit for the MDC/Athearn 2-8-0 and get a close-enough PRR H3. I still have the period rolling stock problem, though...

The other version with the straight stack would have been a really nice addition to my Colorado Midland were I planning to continue down that road.

[bbunge]

I believe what you see as a double flange is the traction tire groove on driver #2.  The traction tire seems to be missing. At least that is how I interpret what I see in those images.

But as typical for Bachmann offerings, the wheel tread appears rather wide. They should take lessons from Kato and others and make their treads narrower. That improves the N scale wheel look quite a bit.

I do hate to pile on with a manufacturer making a new steam locomotive in n-scale.  Everyone of these is gold, in my book.   

The wide tread also will trigger shorts, at least with some Peco switches, when the wide tire spans the frog to contact the opposing rail.

I hope Bachmann follows up with some nice period rolling stock, both freight and passenger. 

[robertjohndavis]

We consulted with 19th century locomotive researcher Jim Wilkie for the artwork on these models. He informed us and provided sources that in this common photo of the No. 57 Bison, that the tender the locomotive was posed with was actually "borrowed" from another locomotive with a different number, and was doctored for the photo. The actual tender the Bison was delivered with was closer in appearance to how it was represented on the model, according to Jim's research.

You don’t get much better than Jim when it comes to colors of early steam. If he says it’s right that’s good enough for me. - Rob

[thomasjmdavis]

Hi all,

The locomotive is based on a home-built Union Pacific prototype with 51 inch drivers. It measures 4.8 inches long from the tip of the cowcatcher to the end of the rear coupler, and 1.2 inches tall. We did have to cheat the tender dimensions slightly, and make the body taller to fit both the decoder and speaker, but otherwise it is true to scale.

Thanks for your input on these, track1.  Very helpful. 

Congratulate your designers for me- I zoomed out a photo to the 4.8 inch dimension, and that is one tiny locomotive to stuff motor, gearing, DCC and sound into (even given the tender mod).  Very impressive bit of engineering.  I measured the wheel in that photo, and it came out close enough to 51 scale inches for me ( given the caveat that I was measuring on a computer screen), I won't be arguing over fractions of a millimeter.