Bachmann 2-6-0 vs 4-6-0 mechanism questions.

[chessie system fan]

Folks, I'm researching a potential future project and have a couple of questions.

1. Do the two locomotives have the same driver wheelbase and driver size?

2. Does the 2-6-0 run decently without its tender? (I presume the 4-6-0 can't do this because of DCC.)

[Jimbo]

I have both of these models, so I decided to check.

The 2-6-0 has a longer wheelbase than the 4-6-0…. 26.6mm for the 2-6-0; 24mm for the 4-6-0.  ALSO - the 4-6-0 has drivers that are equally spaced; the 2-6-0 has a larger space between the first and second axle vs. the second and third.

The 4-6-0 has drivers that are about 9.5mm in diameter (excluding the flanges.). The 2-6-0 has drivers that are slightly smaller, at about 9mm in diameter.

I can’t comment on performance without the tender for either model, and I’m not gonna take them apart to find out!  (Sorry!)

(I love both of these models - except for the tender being too large on the 4-6-0 - and wish Bachmann would do another run.  Although I understand that the 4-6-0 is available in a couple of train sets, either DC only or DCC and sound.)

Hope this helps.

Jim

[chessie system fan]

That's exactly what I needed.  Thank you!!

[JMaurer1]

I wish Bachmann would do another run as well, only with a Harriman style (much more modern) boiler like the MDC HO 4-6-0 kit that they used to have. I would be in for 4-5 of those...

[spookshow]

The 2-6-0 won't run without its tender. The motor receives power from wires coming off the tender PC board -



-Mark

[chessie system fan]

Well, I guess it's back to the drawing board.  Thanks.

[Lemosteam]

The 2-6-0 won't run without its tender. The motor receives power from wires coming off the tender PC board -



-Mark

While this statement is true, I believe like the 4-6-0, the 2-6-0 has electrical pickup in the engine chassis frame as the drawbar has sprung wires in it to pick up power from them.

So conceivably, one could hardwire from the frame halves to the motor fairly easily and even have a decoder in between space permitting. Tank engine on the way?

[peteski]

The fidelity of that locos valve gear is laughable. Super clunky. Looks like a cheap toy.

[wm3798]

The fidelity of that locos valve gear is laughable. Super clunky. Looks like a cheap toy.

True, but the challenge of scale fidelity in N scale is always tempered by its ability to be mass produced and functional.
A little neolube to darken the bits and pieces should bring that right around for someone more interested in running trains than scrutinizing everything.

Lee

[chessie system fan]

Eh, who cares about the valve gear.   

PRR B1 Electric #5690 02 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr

I found a 3D printed B-1 shell the other day, and I happen to have a 2-6-0 junked mechanism that's missing a motor (except I never noticed that the drivers aren't centered because mine is in pieces).  The magic numbers I'm trying to find are 62" wheels (9.84 mm) with 12' 4" wheelbase (24.13 mm).

http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?diag=b1_ac.gif&sel=ele&sz=sm&fr=

Perhaps it's possible to put 2-6-0 drivers on a 4-6-0 mechanism? I wonder if both model's drivers use the same gears.

The other option is to power a Kato GG-1 truck, even though the drivers are 57" and it has a 13' 8" wheelbase.

http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?diag=gg1_dc_2.gif&sel=ele&sz=sm&fr=

So these are just musings at this stage, but you never know!

[peteski]

True, but the challenge of scale fidelity in N scale is always tempered by its ability to be mass produced and functional.
A little neolube to darken the bits and pieces should bring that right around for someone more interested in running trains than scrutinizing everything.

I didn't do any scrutinizing - that clunky valve gear was the first thing I noticed. it jumped out at me right away.

Companies like Fleischmann,  Kato, and to a lesser extent Minitrix and Arnold have been mass producing much finer and fully functional N scale valve gear for many decades.  Not like it's a new technology.  Plus for the price you pay for those models, they should look better.  I understand that with the hi-rail mentality this type of toyish (vintage) look is acceptable, and I guess it's a "Bachmann" after all.

[Lemosteam]

Eh, who cares about the valve gear.   

PRR B1 Electric #5690 02 by Cale Leiphart, on Flickr

I found a 3D printed B-1 shell the other day, and I happen to have a 2-6-0 junked mechanism that's missing a motor (except I never noticed that the drivers aren't centered because mine is in pieces).  The magic numbers I'm trying to find are 62" wheels (9.84 mm) with 12' 4" wheelbase (24.13 mm).

http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?diag=b1_ac.gif&sel=ele&sz=sm&fr=



Perhaps it's possible to put 2-6-0 drivers on a 4-6-0 mechanism? I wonder if both model's drivers use the same gears.

The other option is to power a Kato GG-1 truck, even though the drivers are 57" and it has a 13' 8" wheelbase.

http://prr.railfan.net/diagrams/PRRdiagrams.html?diag=gg1_dc_2.gif&sel=ele&sz=sm&fr=

So these are just musings at this stage, but you never know!

I have a PRR B1 desgn already in early progress. Tt utilizes 1/2 of the Bachmann GG1 driver set (parts), panto (sprung) and its motor, and will have etched details for the printed shell.  The frame will be printed and designed to fit the drive wheels.  So far there will be lots of room for weight and a decoder, etc.

[u18b]

Looks like the collaborative nature of Railwire is going to possibly give us another great locomotive.

[mkearns]

I have a DC-only 4-6-0. Without a DCC wiring harness chaining it together, the tender can rotate and pop off the post on the back, leaving the locomotive freestanding and theoretically operable. It kinda moves without the tender. Maybe a whiz could improve it, or maybe my wheels or track is dirty. 4 drivers for pickup plus a pair with traction tires.

I think Bachmann sells DC-only versions of the 4-6-0 with both the Broadway Limited (PRR) and Trailblazer (C&O) sets. The C&O model has whitewall tires, so maybe not the one you want for the project. The model represents 377 as repainted in a throwback ceremonial scheme for Logan, WV. The real 377 now sits in the Baltimore B&O Museum.

The DC-only versions also have a simpler Stephenson-type inside valve gear (maybe?). I'm not an expert on valve gear. But it doesn't have as many moving bits. Matches pics of C&O 377 well enough for me. 

[Jimbo]

Companies like Fleischmann,  Kato, and to a lesser extent Minitrix and Arnold have been mass producing much finer and fully functional N scale valve gear for many decades.  Not like it's a new technology.  Plus for the price you pay for those models, they should look better.  I understand that with the hi-rail mentality this type of toyish (vintage) look is acceptable, and I guess it's a "Bachmann" after all.

Yeah, the valve gear does look better on the Fleischmann.  Unfortunately,my eye is drawn to that massive Rapido coupler up front!!   

We all make trade offs with our choices of models.  Would I like my 2-6-0 to have better fidelity with the valve gear?  Sure!  Am I happy with it nonetheless?  Also sure; I paid $80 for it new when a well-known online retailer was closing them out.  Runs like a Swiss watch (despite the Bachmann decoder!!)

(OK, I’m not a fan of the boxing-glove couplers any more than the Rapidos…) 

Jim