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Author Topic: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods  (Read 2645 times)

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nscaler711

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Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« on: September 21, 2015, 01:49:53 AM »
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Ok so I DO NOT want to see any Bachmann Bashing going on in my thread, Period. If I see it I WILL promptly report it.

Anyways so I recently acquired a 4-8-4 from a friend, as I am interested in modifying it into ATSF 3751, I just want to see if it has been done before or if someone can point me in the right direction or even walk me through it...


I already know the tender is wrongish, like I know its shorter, but I don't know how short, and I know its 6 axle not 8.
I also am not worried about the drivers or pilot/trailing trucks, I am just curious as to what I will have to do to the main shell.
So any words of advise that follow my first rule?
Thanks.
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johnb

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2015, 02:00:25 AM »
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Ok...where to start, first, the sand lines need to be added, as well as an air pump under the cab on the fireman's side. Also remove the steam lines from the dome to the cab, and that will get you close.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2015, 09:34:32 AM by johnb »
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nscaler711

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2015, 02:11:20 AM »
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Ok do what to what?
Not a steam guy by any means lol, I can take a better photo in the morning when I get home, as I am pretty lost...
At least if that'll help you, help me.  :D
Thanks.


Well I have this one too..
« Last Edit: September 21, 2015, 02:14:28 AM by nscaler711 »
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johnb

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2015, 02:26:35 AM »
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http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showpicture.aspx?id=2996535

This should be a good start....look at the sand lines coming out of the front dome, your model has a cover added to the later locos. Look under the cab, there is an air pump there...look at the area between the rear dome and the cab on top, remove the pipes
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badlandnp

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2015, 08:06:15 AM »
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If you print out pics of the 3751 from various angles and keep those near your work area, it makes it easier to do the mods and see what you want/ need to change to get the overall feel. And using the pics helps with not knowing all the steam terms!  :)

PS - Looks like fun!
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johnb

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2015, 09:37:23 AM »
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Oh, and to bash Bachmann...I remotored one of these beauties with a can motor and a flywheel and it still was my worst performing loco. You really need to add electrical pick ups on the tender
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ncbqguy

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2015, 11:30:17 AM »
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Before you go off the deep end modifying the tender, etc. based on the above comments be aware that the Bachmann engine models a different class and is basically correct in general outline and overall dimensions.  Google the engine number and you'll find plenty of information on the prototype and others in its class.
Charlie Vlk
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nscaler711

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2015, 01:50:40 PM »
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@ncbqguy oh I know, I just want a decent enough stand in until we SF modelers get a proper Northern, or Northerns cause SF had many different variations... If anything the Bachmann model is closer to 2926 than 3751, but I am not going to run it every day its just going to be an excursion. If anything I'll slap three axle trucks on it and call it good.... Or till it bugs me enough to where I do a major overhaul lol.
(side note what's the update for your couplers? I'm getting fed up with MTs lol)

@johnb yes it will definitely get tender pick up as soon as I figure that out, I will most likely DCC it as that tender is huge, so loksound or tsunami is calling my name (probably tsunami as I loved them in HO, and my Loksound P42 drives me insane.)  oh that's not bashing that was your own doing :p
I just don't want this thread locked like another certain locomotive....
Also thanks for walking me through this... Its a nice running engine even if it looks like my 1947 Lionel S2 Turbine....

@badlandnp no printer, but I have a tablet  :D
It seems like fun but its causing me headaches lol this is why I stick to my low maintenance diesels lol

Thanks.
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strummer

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2015, 03:50:34 PM »
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Two things.

First off, I lived in the mountains above San Bernardino in the '70's, and looked at the 3751 when it was still behind a fence. Looked big then, too...

Secondly, because of this thread I glanced over on eBay, and what surprised me is that the price for a new B-Mann model is now close-ish to what a 4-8-4 by say, Con-Cor is. I wonder how those 2 compare, i.e; B-Mann vs. Trix K4?

Guess I'll check and see what "Spookshow" has to say...

Mark in Oregon
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Doug G.

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #9 on: September 21, 2015, 04:28:53 PM »
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BTW, what are/were the big steam lines from the dome to the cab for? I'm asking because I have a white box version of this loco and it ran real good until the gears cracked and I'm considering exactly how I am going to repair it.

And I love the looks of this model. It just looks so behemoth-like like steam locos should, in my opinion.

Thanks.

Doug
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honk honk

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #10 on: September 21, 2015, 05:27:32 PM »
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Quote from: Doug G. on September 21, 2015, 04:28:53 PM
BTW, what are/were the big steam lines from the dome to the cab for? I'm asking because I have a white box version of this loco and it ran real good until the gears cracked and I'm considering exactly how I am going to repair it.

And I love the looks of this model. It just looks so behemoth-like like steam locos should, in my opinion.

Thanks.

Doug


They feed saturated steam to the turret. The turret distributes steam to items like train line steam heat and the dynamo... The turret is located in the big box just ahead of the cab on top of the boiler. The valve handles to open and close these valves hang into the cab.
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delamaize

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #11 on: September 21, 2015, 07:12:07 PM »
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I have one of the newer run version of the bachmann northern, the mech. isn't THAT bad, mine needed a little tweaking to make it right, and doing tender pickups is a MUST.

One of these days, I plan on using the basic mech to build a NP A2.
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Mike

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strummer

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #12 on: September 21, 2015, 08:23:26 PM »
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Quote from: delamaize on September 21, 2015, 07:12:07 PM
I have one of the newer run version of the bachmann northern,...

One of these days, I plan on using the basic mech to build a NP A2.

Ah, a good choice indeed.

Mark in Oregon
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Sdynamo

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #13 on: September 21, 2015, 10:23:48 PM »
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Richmond Controls makes a tender pickup kit for the engine.  It makes a huge difference in how well it runs.

http://www.richmondcontrols.com/

You want Bachmann Northern Tender   EZWPRS-BNOR
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nscaler711

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Re: Bachmann 4-8-4 Northern Mods
« Reply #14 on: September 22, 2015, 01:12:31 AM »
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@Sdynamo thanks for the link!
But since I got this basically free, I'm not going to invest alot of money into it, if anything ill add brass strips and wires and call it good lol.  :D
I am cheap. So yeah...
Haven't started anything yet, need to buy materials such as new #11 blades, sanding sticks and brass wire to start...
Also I have an idea of how I'm going to make the handrail but not positive it will work....
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