Big Vandy by Bachmann (Help with dimensions please)

[Cajonpassfan]

I need a large Vanderbilt tender for a project, and think the big Bachmann might be a good starting point. Would any of you fine gents who own one be kind enough to measure it for me? I'm particularly interested in o.d. and length of the tank.
Thank you in advance.
Otto K.

[mmagliaro]

Do you want the long one they sold as a separate part (the "VC 16"), or the shorter VC-12 stockier
one they sold with the 2-6-6-2 ?

[Cajonpassfan]

Actually, what I'm trying to get to is this, see below, and the Bachmann feels too skinny.
The o.d. should scale to 11'-0"
Thanks, Otto K.

[Cajonpassfan]

Max, neither. It's the one off the awful alternate Santa Fe "Northerns", and I use the term in quotation marks with a bit of cynicism. They may have also used it with their Mikado, although I do not own either so I can't say it's the same tender.
Thanks, Otto

[mmagliaro]

The Bachmann VC16 and VC12 are only about 8'6" in diameter.
I don't have any of the "awful" ones, but I know the one you mean.

The Kato S-2 4-8-4 tender is about 10' 2" in diameter, has the shorter stockier build, and has 6-wheel trucks.
I think that would be a lot closer to what you want.  Those are not easy to find.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Max, I have one of those, and I'm rebuilding it for yet another project, the UP 7000 class Mountain, see first pic.
What I'm looking for here is a *full* Vandy, ie one with the entire body filling the 11' limit, see pics. I actually scratch built one, back in the seventies (see last pic) but unfortunately it's a solid 3/4" wood dowel with a .005 styrene overlay, and now I need several hollow ones to accommodate electronics and sound...
I still think the Bachmann may be a good start, with an overlay?
Thanks, Otto K.

[mmagliaro]

Growing an 8'6" tender diameter to 11' means adding 2'6", or 1'3" in radius.
15" = .093"  or 3/32".   That's a pretty thick overlay.  You could probably do it in two
thinner wraps.  Yeah, sounds like it would work.  You might also dig around for one of those
old Dimi Trains Vanderbilt tenders.  I think those have a shorter fatter profile that would make a good
starting point.  They come up on eBay periodically.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for your thoughts. Yes there are several options including scratchbuilding like the one shown earlier. But being lazy, I was looking for the easiest way possible.... perhaps fattening the very similar Bachmann big Vandy below. So that leaves me with the original question: what are its dimensions? Anyone?
Thaks in advance,
Otto K.

[robert3985]

Otto,

I just finished a project for Nate Goodman (Nato) using one of these and inherited a few spare parts for this tender in the process.  The measurements are on bare plastic (no paint).

Tank O.D. = .773"
Tank Length from rear of oil bunker to beginning of rear dome on water tank= 1.319"
Overall Length of tank + oil bunker (measured from beginning of rear dome to vertical surface of oil bunker on engine end not including engine-end platform) = 2.946"

Here's the foob UP TTT I kitbashed for Nate from one of his Con Cor 2-10-2's in helper service on his layout:





I didn't get around to making toolboxes for the tender, but I put mounting brackets on the rear for future application.  Definitely needs a back-up light and body mounting the coupler.  However, to me and Nate, this tender, along with some other minor cab and smokebox modifications (and new paint) makes this engine look pretty UP-ish.  Con Cor also made this model with double compressors, which IMO would greatly add to the UP TTT look, but Nate didn't have one.  However removing the walkways on this model is simple, so I'm keeping an eye out for that part on whatever condition Con Cor 2-10-2 engine I can find.

Bob Gilmore

Edit:  On closer inspection I see this isn't the tender you're wanting to know the dimensions of.  Ah well.... 

[Cajonpassfan]

Edit:  On closer inspection I see this isn't the tender you're wanting to know the dimensions of.  Ah well.... 

Nice work Robert, but it's not the tender I need the dimensions of...argh. I didn't think this would be so hard   
Otto

[Mike Madonna]

Otto,
That's an SP 160-C tender. I have a few of these... diameter (width) is 10.5' and length is 37' (from the front of the tank, NOT including platform). Hope this helps!

[Cajonpassfan]

Yes, THANK YOU Mike!
Exactly what I was looking for! Now I need to find one 
Otto K.

[SandyEggoJake]

Otto,

If what you're seeking is the vandy behind the Bachmann SP#4405 Northern, you're in luck.  Their parts department has them complete for $30. 

http://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66_70_119&products_id=9659

-Jake

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks Jake, appreciated!
Ugly thing though, the stanchions look like 6by6's...
Well, I just need it for the basic shape...
Does anyone know whether it comes with all wheel pickup, like Bachmann newer tenders?
Thanks
Otto

Edit: From the parts list it looks like this thing has NO electrical pickup at all?

[Mike Madonna]

Otto,

Let me look at the ones I have. It's late, but I can get back to you tomorrow with an answer. I've always thought these looked good trailing behind large SP steam....