OK, this is dream-world time. A manufacturer announces a series of releases of DCC-capable, prototypical D&RGW steam, priced like Athearn's forthcoming Challenger. Here's what I'd like to see. The following graphic contains thumbnails (from the Otto Perry collection) of steam locomotives that had significant survivals well into the 1950s. Were these available, it would be possible to put together a prototypical and convincing rendition of Grande steam in the early transition era (say, 1947-1952). From top to bottom: L-62 2-6-6-2 Helper had a Mallet house capable of housing 18 of these, which were mainstays in helper service. M-64 4-8-4 These were the Grande's racehorses -- the fastest and perhaps most beautiful locomotives on the system. M-68 4-8-4 Widely seen in both passenger and freight service. C-48 2-8-0 These were used for every conceivable purpose from switching to lightweight passenger service. Among them were some of the latest surviving steam locos on the Grande's standard gauge. L-131 2-8-8-2 These beasts were around nearly a decade after the Challengers were shipped off to the Clinchfield. T-29 4-6-0 A couple of these made it into the 1950s. C-48 2-8-0 Another C-48 - couldn't resist. I love these! K-59 2-8-2 Small by Grande standards! M-78 4-8-2 Pure, unadulterated muscle. The picture I've gotten thus far about N scale steam is that it's pretty much impossible to find matches for Grande standard gauge steam, so to be honest I haven't bothered to look into what's out there much -- especially after I got burned buying a 4-8-4 "M62" from Con-Cor, only to realize subsequently that it wasn't even close to the prototype. Is there anything available in N scale that comes close to any of these? Best regards, Bryan
Luv your taste in loco's Bryan. I'd buy all of the above,only if they powered all axels tho. I'm not buying the new challenger if only powered by 1 or 2 axels,it's pointless. Rather buy a Rivo Challenger & do it up!
Scratchbuild it, then! Putting together that graphic in my post above... the one that put together visually the steam that survived late into the transition era... was kind of a mindblower for me. Aren't those locomotives beautiful? What's more, there's a clear design consistency among them that says "Grande." My big fantasy is that somehow a Divine power will give me (1) a great deal of money and (2) world class technical skills, enabling me to scratch build an entire roster based on these gorgeous locomotives. Best wishes, Bryan
Hi Bryan, Thanks for the great pix. The main reason I've purchased any of the currently produced N scale steamers is that they are reasonably (for me) 'close' enough to represent the Grande' steamers until something better is made. I'm not one to go crazy and spend a thousand clams on brass engines that are more prototypical... nor do I have the modeling skill to bash one... so I'm relegated to the 'close enough' class. My only Bachmann N scale trains are all steamers because no other manufacturer has done a Mountain class or a Mallet Mogel [2-6-6-2 or MM] in plastic. So, their 4-8-2 [Lite Mountain] is a poor stand-in for an M-78 until further notice. The 2-6-6-2 MM is my 'weak' version of the L-62 as well. The LifeLike 2-8-8-2 [Mallet Consolidation] is a good looking steamer that is close to the actual DRGW Mallet acquired from N&W (L-109 class). Too bad the model has pulling and longevity issues. The Model Power 2-8-2 is okay for a K-59 class light Mike stand-in... The MP 4-6-2 Pacific is also a reasonable stand-in of the P-44 class. The Grande had a bunch of different Connie class engines and the B'mann Connie probably fits one of them closely. I don't own one though... hoping that this ubiquitous steamer might be done in D&RGW scheme as a 'close' C-48 class. MDC/Athearn' old time version is on my roster; as is their 2-6-0 Mogul and the Atlas/MA Mogul. The ConCor 2-10-2 could be a choice for the F-81 class that DRGW had; but, I just didn't want to spend that many bux for a 'faux' F-81. The same issues are the reason I didn't get the ConCor Northern from them... which again would be an inaccurate substitute . I laughed when ConCor did the 4-8-4 in D&RGW using the Espee GS4 'Skyline boiler' design... they just should have done it in the GN S2 class Northern w/Belpaire version.... still a reach for the M-64/68 class.. but not as far. If only manufacturers would consider making the steamers as kits with parts that would be interchangeable, we might be able some day to have a generic set of drivers with different boiler, firebox and other appliances that could be placed where appropriate for the different railroads practices. Steamer, unlike diesels, were very road specific in ways that are not easily 'bashed' by the less talented 'modelers'. At least in kit form... even if its over $150.00 MSRP you could make your railroads actual model.
id also like to see a REAL rio grande challenger. the l-105 was VASTLY different from the UP (l-97) versions they had. they had 15 of them instead of just 3 and they lasted longer than a year in service with the Grande, and were much bruter looking! i liked them much better than the UP ones they had.
Welcome aboard, TW70MAC! I agree, the Baldwin-built 4-6-6-4's were very good looking, and were well liked by the 'Grande, unlike the L-97's.
Bachmann Consolidations and D&RGW C-48 Apparently the latest run of the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation is a pretty good loco, and they're not too expensive ($60-$70). So I'm wondering whether they could reasonably be used to model the C-48, one of which is shown here: Thoughts, anyone? Regards, Bryan Pfaffenberger Charlottesville, VA
Looks like it'll require new domes, headlight (including tender light), front steps, and some piping alterations. Those sound simple enough. Not having one on hand to disassemble, I can't say how easy modifying the firebox will be. Also, I can't be sure, but it looks like the tender may need shortening.
The first thing you would need to do is paint over the UP lettering Moving the domes wouldn't be too hard as there isn't anthing beneath them. You would also have the change the walkways a little. The Bmann model has a channel molded in where the walkway is so you would have to fill before doing the new ones. Eric
Speaking from experience, it is easy to convert the Spectrum 2-8-0 into a reasonable C-48 as long as you don't look too close. Just replacing the headlight with a Pyle light and moving it to the correct location and also adding a rectangle number plate does a lot to the look. For a more accurate one, moving the running boards, shortening the tender by 5 feet, and moving/replacing the sand dome are all that needs to be done. (now if you really want it to be accurate, you should move the marker lights to the smokebox front, move the injectors down so the outlet pipe is in line with the pipe out of the check valve, move the turret back, mount the dynamo so that it is centered on the boiler perpendicular to the way it is now, remove the outer two hatches on the cab, and remove the flange on the back of the cab roof. That sounds like so much fun that now I need to try it on my spare 2-8-0) Something that I have thought about for a while on the L-105 front is to use a GHQ Z8 4-6-6-4 conversion kit as a starting point. Except for the tender, I think it is already pretty close. Another one I have considered is using a GHQ NP W-3 conversion as a starting point for a K-63 (ex-D&SL engine) Cheers, Ben
A K-63? Is that a D&SL 200-class Mallet? I'd love to see one of these! Then I'd have to model Rifle Sight Notch Trestle/Loop/Tunnel, and I'd need 5 mallets to make it look right! mg: Thanks for the great info, and Welcome to Trainboard!!!!
Rio Grande Steam My other half Helen, better known as management has just seen me reading this theme and came up with the famous saying "Oh no you don't." Possibly one or two but NOT repeat NOT all of them. It would be fantastic if a manufacturer or manufacturers would come out with PROPER DRGW locomotives.
Yours too? My wife gives me that, when I mention nearly anything seen on Wig-Wag's site.. After the Athearn 4-6-6-4's, I'm tapped out till '08!
New Walthers Y3 2-8-8-2s = D&RGW L-76 The just-announced re-run of the Walthers/Life-Like N&W Y3, shown below, is close to the Grande's Class L-109s (not L-76s as the typo in the title says - sorry, wasn't quite awake yet), which were a group of N&W Y2s purchased in 1945. Except the Grande's L-109s had the cross-compound air pumps mounted at the front of the boiler... Detail Associates makes the needed detail part, it seems... --Bryan
