B&M's Berk from a total steam novice

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I really like B&M's Baldwin 4-8-2. A few years ago I received a Bachmann Northern as a gift and found the shell to be remarkably close to the prototype. After disassembling the model I found a major problem with the engine that would keep the project from moving forward... the plastic portion of the valve gear was malformed and would not seat properly.

Another problem was finding a source for the enormous delta truck that no one seemed to produce in N. As it turns out, the FVM Atlantic has the very trailing truck I need, and as a bonus it also features the right size front truck and forward tender truck.

If I can get these parts from FVM, I should be able to throw together a pretty convincing B&M Berk. One problem area is the drivers. The B&M have spokes while the Bachmann Northern has these elliptical circle thingies. Anyone know of a driver or plastic insert that would fit?

[nickelplate759]

I think you are almost certainly referring to the B&M R1-class 4-8-2s, and not the B&M 2-8-4 T1-class Berkshires with the funky Coffin feedwater heaters.

The R1d had similar drivers to the Bachmann 4-8-4 - the earlier classes had spoke drivers.   Unfortunately, the R1d also had Centipede tenders, for which a UP Centipede is only a fair stand-in.  If you can find a photo of an R1d with a 12-wheel tender instead you could use a Life-Like or Rowa or Rivarossi 12-wheel tender with Commonwealth trucks from a ConCor 4-6-4 or a Bachmann Vanderbuilt tender.

George

[garethashenden]

I think clarification as to which one you actually want would be useful. They can both be made, but lets make sure we're all talking about the same engines first.

2-8-4 T1 (Lima 1928,1929)



Or

4-8-2 R1 (Baldwin 1935, 1937, 1939, 1941)

[garethashenden]

Also, there is this thread: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=30738.msg339133#msg339133 with discussion of B&M steam in general. There are some quick descriptions of what was done.

If you want an R1 the Bachmann 4-8-4 is probably the best bet, if you want a T1 then the Kato Mikado has the right driven wheelbase, wheel diameter, and spokes.

[Chris333]

You can get that rear Delta truck from Model Power (or at least you could) I have one mounted to a Bachmann 4-8-2.

The rear truck of the 2-8-4 also carries the ashpan.

[garethashenden]

You can get that rear Delta truck from Model Power (or at least you could) I have one mounted to a Bachmann 4-8-2.

The rear truck of the 2-8-4 also carries the ashpan.

The 2-8-4s are technically articulated locomotives. The frame ends just behind the rear axle with the ashpan and cab supported by the trailing truck. The trailing truck is booster equipped. The tender is connected to the trailing truck as well, not the main frames, which is why the B&M had such trouble with them. Backing a train through a switch often ended with the trailing truck on the ground.

[Chris333]

The 2-8-4s are technically articulated locomotives. The frame ends just behind the rear axle with the ashpan and cab supported by the trailing truck. The trailing truck is booster equipped. The tender is connected to the trailing truck as well, not the main frames, which is why the B&M had such trouble with them. Backing a train through a switch often ended with the trailing truck on the ground.

I've not heard of them being troublesome. Erie had 105 Berkshires and 75 of the last built had the ashpan on the trailing truck. Then again I don't think Erie did much switching with them.

[garethashenden]

I've not heard of them being troublesome. Erie had 105 Berkshires and 75 of the last built had the ashpan on the trailing truck. Then again I don't think Erie did much switching with them.

It's not so much switching as middle sidings. These were usually configured as long trailing crossovers. The idea being you pass the siding, back the train in, wait to be overtaken, then proceed. Some of these were gradually converted to long double crossovers to eliminate the backing move.

[sizemore]

That T1 looks ominous and evil. Like Storm Trooper/Darth Vader. I like it.

The S.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

My goal is the R1 class. I looked at the pacific delta truck but it didn't match.

[garethashenden]

My goal is the R1 class. I looked at the pacific delta truck but it didn't match.

There is a drawing of an R1d (with centipede tender) in the Model Railroader Steam Locomotives Cyclopedia. I'd make a copy for you but I don't have a photocopier that large.

[sizemore]

My goal is the R1 class. I looked at the pacific delta truck but it didn't match.

IIRC Model Power has two different trailing trucks. If not MP, that specific on is available, from a couple different manufacturers.

The S.

[chessie system fan]

Mainline Modeler had plans of both the R1 and T1.  If you don't want to scratchbuild the centipede tender kind, the other R1s and the T1 share the same tender design.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Does anyone have photos of the MP Pacific's different trailing trucks?

[Chris333]

I did lengthen the truck on my 4-8-2 with styrene.