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

[Iain]

will the tender trucks be proper trucks with all wheel pickup (like regular bachman tender trucks)?  Will they be swapable?

[track1]

Hi all, the engineering samples have arrived:

will the tender trucks be proper trucks with all wheel pickup (like regular bachman tender trucks)?  Will they be swapable?

Yes, they will have all wheel pickup and be swappable.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I sure wouldn't throw her out of bed for eating crackers!

But I have two pieces of feedback:

1. I love the modernized version. That looks like an electric headlight (it doesn't have the chimney that an oil would) but I don't see a generator. That's an easy fix for modelers assuming they can find the part, but you might want to include one if possible.

2. The lack of a provision for a functional front coupler is a bummer.

[Maletrain]

I will definitely be in for at least one tender, assuming they are sold separately in the parts department.

But, I will certainly replace the wood load with some real wood.  I assume that is a separate piece to swap with a coal load insert, right?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I will definitely be in for at least one tender, assuming they are sold separately in the parts department.

But, I will certainly replace the wood load with some real wood.  I assume that is a separate piece to swap with a coal load insert, right?

I was about to comment that until I realized he actually posted photos of two DIFFERENT models. Check out the "modernized" one.

[peteski]

2. The lack of a provision for a functional front coupler is a bummer.

While the model  looks pretty darn good I would a add to Ed's thoughts and ask: why not ditch the "boxing glove" size coupler for something more N scale?  Yeah, I know it is a big ask, but since this abominations is used in many Bachmann models, why not retool it to a more realistic size? Heck, maybe even clone the MTL coupler like other companies have done it.  Except for not having the reverse-draft-angle molding, some of those clones are actually pretty darn close to the old reliable MTL coupler.

Another thing would be not to use hex-shape heads on the crankpins (for more realism), but I also  understand the reasons for it. However many manufacturers (from the early N scale to present) do not use threaded crankpins, and they seem pretty reliable.

I should also add that I like steam locos to have drivers with see-through spokes. Again, that is a feature which has been utilized since early days of N scale. Makes the model more realistic.  The extreme opposite of this was the Bachmann's 2-8-0 with its plastic disks drivers with very shallow relief spokes. From  the photos it is difficult to tell if that is a feature in this models, but even if the centers are solid, at least the spokes seem to have deep relief. Actually the drivers appear to be made from a single metal casting which combines the tire and spokes (no plastic insert except for the insulator for the axle).

[nickelplate759]

One thing bothers me, about the modernized/coal version - the pilot doesn't seem modernized, especially with the link-and-pin coupler bar modeled in the pilot.
There's no way a modernized engine would still have the link-and-pin coupler, and it seems unlikely that it would have such a long pointy "cow-catcher" pilot - more likely a shorter pilot with a knuckle coupler.

Might have to do a little "modeling" on this one if I get one.

That said, this looks very, very nice, and I already want one.

[Lemosteam]

See through drivers too.

[Dave V]

<gears turning in my head>

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[Mark5]

These are way outside of my modeling interest but I have to say the pre-production models look pretty good.

[Englewood]

No ditch lights???
Just kidding. I look forward to adding the CP version to the roundhouse.

[Maletrain]

I was about to comment that until I realized he actually posted photos of two DIFFERENT models. Check out the "modernized" one.

The tenders look the same to me for both versions, except for the coal load vs the wood load.

One thing bothers me, about the modernized/coal version - the pilot doesn't seem modernized, especially with the link-and-pin coupler bar modeled in the pilot.
There's no way a modernized engine would still have the link-and-pin coupler, and it seems unlikely that it would have such a long pointy "cow-catcher" pilot - more likely a shorter pilot with a knuckle coupler.
.  .  .  .  .

I have to agree with that.  The cow catcher pilot is probably a separate piece, so how about a substitute pilot that has a dummy prototype knuckle coupler, such as Bachmann already uses on their Spectrum 2-8-0s?  And, it looks like there is room for an Npossible coupler under that pilot deck.

[chessie system fan]

There's a lot to like here!  It appears to me to have see-through drivers. I can see daylight behind them in one of the pictures. I wish there was a way to not have the rear coupler box stick out so far.  It almost looks like the tender has a cushioned undeframe.   Those tender trucks are going in my parts bin once they hit the parts store!

For the cow catcher, maybe something like these would be a good compromise.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Mountain_Railroad#/media/File:DollyWood_Express_3.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Mountain_Railroad#/media/File:DollyWood_Express_2.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoky_Mountain_Railroad#/media/File:Smoky_Mountain_Railroad_Baldwin_2-6-0_at_Knoxville_Yard-Knoxville_TN.jpg

[Jimbo]

I agree - lots to like here!

Will these be available in non-sound DC?  Or DCC/sound only?

Jim

[track1]

Thanks for all the feedback and enthusiasm- I'll respond to as many questions as I can.

I will definitely be in for at least one tender, assuming they are sold separately in the parts department.

But, I will certainly replace the wood load with some real wood.  I assume that is a separate piece to swap with a coal load insert, right?

The wood/coal loads are separate parts from the tender body and removable- you can interchange and customize them as you please.

While the model  looks pretty darn good I would a add to Ed's thoughts and ask: why not ditch the "boxing glove" size coupler for something more N scale?  Yeah, I know it is a big ask, but since this abominations is used in many Bachmann models, why not retool it to a more realistic size? Heck, maybe even clone the MTL coupler like other companies have done it.  Except for not having the reverse-draft-angle molding, some of those clones are actually pretty darn close to the old reliable MTL coupler.

It's definitely a big ask, we would have to invest in the new tooling plus ensure there are no compatibility issues with all the models currently in our line. Plus ensuring operation is as reliable as it is right now- the E-Z Mate may be a bit oversized, but it's proven to be very reliable for us.

I should also add that I like steam locos to have drivers with see-through spokes. Again, that is a feature which has been utilized since early days of N scale. Makes the model more realistic.  The extreme opposite of this was the Bachmann's 2-8-0 with its plastic disks drivers with very shallow relief spokes. From  the photos it is difficult to tell if that is a feature in this models, but even if the centers are solid, at least the spokes seem to have deep relief. Actually the drivers appear to be made from a single metal casting which combines the tire and spokes (no plastic insert except for the insulator for the axle).

It's a bit difficult to see in the photos because of the chassis cover, but the drivers *do* have see-through spokes 

One thing bothers me, about the modernized/coal version - the pilot doesn't seem modernized, especially with the link-and-pin coupler bar modeled in the pilot.
There's no way a modernized engine would still have the link-and-pin coupler, and it seems unlikely that it would have such a long pointy "cow-catcher" pilot - more likely a shorter pilot with a knuckle coupler.

We did look into having a coupler on the front pilot, but when working off the prototype drawings, we found it would be too awkward of an appearance- either the coupler shank would have to be long enough to protrude from the top of the cowcatcher, or the pilot beam would have to be moved above the cylinder heads. With this plus the aforementioned issue of the couplers being oversized, we decided to just have the link and pin setup. It will be difficult to make a separate modernized pilot, because the cowcatcher is part of the same mold as the cylinders- but it's something we can look into in the future.

The first release will be just DCC Sound but we can look into DCC Ready for a future release.