LL/Walthers 0-8-0 - Was it worth it?

[Kuchler10]

I have struggled to put together a working LL/Walthers 0-8-0 recently and figured I would share the experience to anyone who was considering getting their hands on one. It started with a second-run C&O unit I bought from a club member. It was DC and looked in good shape so I bought it for $120. After getting it on the test loop, it was so weak that it could not even get around the curved track without spinning its wheels. I started looking it over and then tried it again. This time, one of the small bars on the pistons that guide the sliding valve gear piece (not sure what the name is) crumbled. And I use the word "crumbled" because the metal didn't snap, it just kind of crumbled away. Due to the moving parts, it could not be glued back on. I had an expensive paperweight. I scoured eBay and saw that there was an NKP available from the first run that was in good shape with the part I needed, but the other running gear pieces were broken. So $70 later, I got it in hand and carefully replaced the piston section with the donor, and since I preferred the NKP, replaced the shell also. It was running again, but it still couldn't pull one car. Finally, I discovered that if the screw on the locomotive for the tender connection was screwed tightly, it would somehow cause the locomotive to have 0 pulling power. Loosening the screw allows the engine to pull and push at least 5 cars comfortably. $53 later for a TCS Z2P-VO and easy installation with the 8-pin plug, and the wires of the decoder are too short to allow the tender shell to sit properly. But I think that's as far as I go. $243 total for a DCC 0-8-0 with two shell options and extra parts. Was it worth it? I'm not sure. But I figured it was worth sharing for people who are wanting to get one. They can be finicky puzzle boxes, and I got very lucky on finding the donor locomotive.

[peteski]

Since this was the only really decent model of that type of a loco, I guess it was worth it.

[sizemore]

You can stuff lead or tungsten sheet in the boiler space between the frame halves and shell, and the top of the coal bunker depending on your decoder install. Improves pulling power a bit, and improves tender pickup.

HTH,
The S.

[kscessandriver]

I've got a half a dozen or so of them, that I snag when they're relatively cheap on eBay. A couple with DCC, they're decent runners, but I really, really hope someone gets around to a better 0-8-0 in the future.

[nickelplate759]

I've got a first-run NKP model that runs great in reverse.   In forward, it's fine for a few seconds, but eventually the front end of one of the side rods gets hung up on part of the valve gear and it comes to a screeching halt.
Haven't figured out out to fix that.

Pulling power is very dependent on getting the wires between engine and tender just right - otherwise they lift the rear drivers just a bit.

[jdcolombo]

It really is time for someone to take another shot at the 0-8-0.  It was the ubiquitous switcher of the steam era, with many remaining in service even after their mainline steam siblings bit the dust.  I've got to believe the market is there.

I think that if LL had hung around, it would have gotten the design perfected.  It didn't, Walthers apparently "lost" the tooling and now someone would have to start from scratch.  But manufacturing is better today than 15 years ago; if only Kato would undertake the challenge . . .

John C.

[garethashenden]

I want someone to do an 0-6-0 more than an 0-8-0, but the reality is that good models of both are needed. I'd even take a BLI one.

[delamaize]

I have one of the NP ones. I remember it was kind of a dog right out the door. I had to do some modifications, But I can't remember exactly what all I did.
There was a whole thread about improving them, but I don't remember if it was here, on the old A-board, or on trainboard.

[Jimbo]

I want someone to do an 0-6-0 more than an 0-8-0, but the reality is that good models of both are needed. I'd even take a BLI one.

Bachmann keeps making small, incremental improvements to their 0-6-0.  The most recent one runs smoothly and quietly.  But, with each improvement, they take a step backwards.  And they don’t QUITE finish the job to make it a great model.

Three gripes:
1) NOT DCC friendly for a modeler of average skill to install.
2) Less-than-satisfactory tender pickup.  Sleds instead of axle cups, and pickup limited to the front tender truck.  (Yes, loco does pick up too, but you can not skimp on electrical pickup.)
3) Latest version has a mismatch between the steam pipes on the shell and steam chests on the chassis.  So it looks “off.”

I really like my Walthers 0-8-0 and would buy another if it was re-released.  But the 0-6-0 was far more ubiquitous.  We need both; I wholeheartedly agree.

(Gripe 4 on the Bachmann model… because they make it, no other manufacturer sees a hole in the N scale steam switcher market…)

Jim

[Mark5]

I regret selling my Wally 0-8-0 (but I was having tough times then). Mine ran decently and I had plans to kitbash it into an N&W S1 or S1a.

Atlas has stated that the Walthers tooling was "lost" - So we'll likely never see the Wally tooling again.

Hopefully, when the dust settles from the current global trade "situation", the door will open for a newer and better USRA 0-8-0 (along with a good USRA 0-6-0).