Custom Built N Scale 37 Ton Heisler

[damrr]

I am looking for INFO on a N Scale 4-4 37 ton Heisler custom built by a man in Germany and sold on E-bay a few years back.
I am doing an inventory and appraisement for the estate of a friend and fellow N Scaler who passed away. Would like to get the name of the builder, info about the model and what the selling price was and if the model is all brass or not as it is painted for the WEST SIDE Lumber Co. #2.
By the way it runs great. Any information would be a help and appreciated.

[Chris333]

Gerd Waldbahner built it. He has a site up, but I don't know if the Heisler info is still there. You could e-mail him.

https://waldbahner.de/en/

Pretty sure it was built on a Kato chassis and was just about completely scratchbuilt/ handbuilt and not a "kit" in any way.

@randgust might remember more.

[mmagliaro]

Wow... I took a quick glance at his blog.  Gerd is an impressive guy. 
You might try posting a question into his online blog at his website and see if he answers if the email route doesn't work.

And might I add....
Whatever you find out about his scratch built N Scale logging locomotive, I'd love to see it as well, so please post back!

[Chris333]

It was all on the Atlas forum, but I think it's all gone now.

Apparently @delamaize built one too, using Gerd's model as a guide:
http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/n-scale-heisler-project.103601/
http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/n-scale-heisler-geared-steam-scratchbuilt.105109/

[randgust]

I'd corresponded with Gerd on making a 47-tonner for myself, and it got far enough that Gerd sent me his brass etched wheels, drive rods, pins, etc. that were made to correspond with the Kato-11-105 modified truck and wheels.

It still wasn't exactly what I was looking for, as I have my own 'Bigfoot' Heisler that runs well even if the truck wheelbase is too long.

Gerds was a masterpiece and it's difficult to value.   But all it takes on Ebay is two determined bidders and strange things can happen.

See your PM for more detail.

[delamaize]

Oh man, Thats a blast from the past....
I never really "Finished" this. It was way too anemic, and I had a lot of pick up issues. Not to mention it looks pretty crappy. It's a sound concept, but I just didn't have the tools or skill at the time to make it successful. At one time it had a rotating crank shaft, and piston rods also. Rods bound up, and had to be removed, and one of the gears that made the crank work, one that I custom made, to fit around the universal on the front of the motor, broke in half. The crank can still be turned by hand. there is a little tiny universal that functions also.

Here is a few pictures of how it turned out, for now. I may revisit it later....
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It was all on the Atlas forum, but I think it's all gone now.

Apparently @delamaize built one too, using Gerd's model as a guide:
http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/n-scale-heisler-project.103601/
http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?media/n-scale-heisler-geared-steam-scratchbuilt.105109/

[randgust]

I did this 'way back when', 1975-6 to be specific, as soon as the Atlas/Roco GP's came out and I got one apart to study it.   It has steam switcher wheels and side rods, a shortened frame, absurdly big feet (9' wheelbase GP trucks), but it also has 8x8 drive and pickup and has run well since the day I built it, and has no argument with 7" curves.   It's mostly scratchbuilt with some robbed domes and details on it.   It's had the original Atlas motor, a Trix U28 motor, and now a Kato 5-pole with a flywheel on it.   It's worn out more of those red plastic Roco gears than I care to admit, but if I'm actually operating a log train up a 4% grade, and don't want to hold my breath hoping my Atlas Shay won't shed a driveshaft, this gets the call.   It's amazingly reliable after all these years.

You have to realize, that for operating N Heislers, you can pretty well count them up with maybe two hands that I've ever even heard of so the value of one of Gerd's quality is pretty unique, and if there's a better-done one out there than his I've never seen it.   I've been trying to figure out an accurate and reproducible way to  do a standard 47-tonner using available mechanism parts and I still haven't beaten it.   I could do another one-off but I already have this one, and it runs a log train just fine.   I have other show ponies like my Climax B that look fantastic but can handle only a few cars.

[Chris333]

It seems since being contacted that Gerd re-posted some of the old photos. In case any one is interested in the N scale Heisler:
https://waldbahner.de/en/2018/09/waldbahn-gazette-west-side-lumber-co-heisler-2-in-spur-n/