Steam...

[COMBAT]

So I saw this. Thats a big boy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvQ5ib5w51s

[Russ Bellinis]

I think the problem with trying to get someone to post pics of a 4-8-4 on a 22 inch radius curve is that guys who recommend 30 inch radius for a 4-8-4 can give you a pic of their 4-8-4 running on 30 inch or larger radius curves, but probably don't have a 22 inch radius on their layout to put it on. Guys with the 22 inch radius probably don't have a 4-8-4 to put on it. There is a Southern Pacific 4-6-2 restored and operating I think somewhere, but I don't know where it operates or how close it is to a design available in plastic. Part of the problem with trying to do prototype steam modeling in plastic is that virtually every railroad had custom designed steam locomotives. Santa Fe's locomotives were totally different than U.P. which were totally different than what S.P. ran. I'm not familiar with other roads, but I suspect that G.N. steam was distinctly different from N.P. which would also be different from CB&Q. In short, people who model prototype steam either buy brass or they do a lot of scratch building. The only exception to this would be Pennsy modelers. Bowser is the old Penn Line, most of their models are of Pennsy prototypes. They certainly don't offer all of the Pennsy steam by a long shot, but they offer a bunch of prototypically correct Pennsy models.

[Tom]

I would second (or is it third or fourth?) the recommendation for the Spectrum 2-8-0. It's a good sized steamer, not too large, not too small, that would work well on 22" radius curves. The 4-8-4 northerns (I have a couple of them) are great, but on 22" radius curves, they look a little unrealistic. The MTH 4-8-4 are FANTASTIC, I almost took one home from the museum gift shop, but again, 22" radius curves make it look like a fish out of water. It'll *do it*, but looks a little odd like Miles mentioned. The 2-8-0 would be a great medium sized steamer that pulls hard, runs smooth as silk and in the prototype world, it would represent a 3 or 4 year restoration project that is still somewhat manageable for an association like a museum or tourist road, or even a steam association to handle restoration wise. The MDC Roundhouse (now Athearn) Harriman cars look great behind them (I would however upgrade the wheels to 36" Intermountain metal wheels) and on 22" radius curves will look great and perform flawlessly. It'd make for a great excursion train to occasionally polish the rails.

I plan to have an excursion steam train on my new layout. I plan to take an old vacant warehouse with a weed covered siding and use it as a base of operation as well as a covered shop area for restoration, maintenance and storage of a steamer. Imagine that a non-profit steam association rescued a steamer out of a park and leased a vacant warehouse with indoor rail access to restore their engine. It would add an unusual point of interest seldom seen on a layout in an old warehouse, and gives you a place to "hide" the steamer when not in use in the modern world. Add a spur down the side of the warehouse to store the passenger cars with a chain link fence around the whole thing to protect the rolling stock from vandals. And don't forget to add a generator car (maybe made from an old 40' boxcar?) to provide electrical power for your passenger coaches, and an obs car to command a little extra coin from your excursion passengers, they LOVE to ride on the rear platform.

Letter the whole thing however you want, for one of your prototype railroad names (so what if it isn't 100% accurate, it's YOUR railroad!) or do what I'd do and letter the whole thing in a fictional road name, but this is just a few ideas that *I* had to justify steam on my modern layout.

[COMBAT]

Thank you for your responses. I am not confident enough to letter my own engine. I dont want to scratch build anything and I am still hopeful some one will post some shots for me. Maybe someone will do a 30" curve. I'll even take that.

So, if you got them please post them!

It is appreciated!!!

[iis612]

If you are modeling the pacific northwest, then you can find an SP&S northern, or the same engine in the "American Freedom Train" livery. It still runs excursions occasionally in that area. It can be found with DCC/Sound and a fairly high level of detail. Someone else may have already posted this, but to be entirely honest, I did not read all the responses.

Matt

[Tom]

Actually, the SP 4449 was the Freedom Train engine. The SP&S 700 is kept in the same roundhouse.

[COMBAT]

OK, anyone have any idea on where to check for one of those??? I am interested!

[Mileswestern]

Ok, so I wasted my breath trying to tell you a 4-8-4 won't look or operate well around a 22" radius. Thanks for ignoring my advice and first-hand experience in this matter.

Thanks for nothing.

[nachoman]

Combat,

Youtube is your friend

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0ioOoufeo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0ioOoufeo</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmC4N79iZhw&feature=PlayList&p=9D53136124DB690C&playnext=1&index=6">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmC4N79i ... =1&index=6</a><!-- m -->
Looks like eztrack, but unsure of the radius.

You may want to search youtube for more.

[COMBAT]

Ok, so I wasted my breath trying to tell you a 4-8-4 won't look or operate well around a 22" radius. Thanks for ignoring my advice and first-hand experience in this matter.

Thanks for nothing.

It is rather rude of you to assume that I am going to take just your advice. I greatly appreciate it but I am finding while it may not be suitable to your likes the train will run on 22" radius fine. It may not look "correct" to you but like I said I am willing to scarfice somethings for what I want. I am sorry you feel that your advice was wasted but I have not purchased anything. I am still looking and seeing what is available out there. If you would like to share your opinion further, I encourage it. However, please dont be offended if I choose to take another track.

Thank you again for your time!

[COMBAT]

Combat,

Youtube is your friend

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0ioOoufeo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt0ioOoufeo</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmC4N79iZhw&feature=PlayList&p=9D53136124DB690C&playnext=1&index=6">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmC4N79i ... =1&index=6</a><!-- m -->
Looks like eztrack, but unsure of the radius.

You may want to search youtube for more.

Hey thanks! I dont know what radius that is but I see how the rear of the engine swings out past the tender. May not look perferct but thats something as long as clearance isnt an issue I can live with.

[Mileswestern]

You're right Combat, I'm sorry, it was rude of me to assume that you'd take my advice. No hard feelings.

[Tom]

OK, anyone have any idea on where to check for one of those??? I am interested!

Bachmann makes one with DCC on board for a fair price. Shop around on some of the Ebay stores or one of the large discount train houses in Model Railroader and you'll find a good deal on one. Athearn makes "foobie" cars that are too short and of the wrong type, but they look good behind the Bachmann 4449 in the Daylight scheme, or you could go with IHC or Rivarossi, both good choices. If you go the IHC route though, you'll definitely want to add weight (the cars are featherweight) and change the wheels out to metal ones for better operational reliability. McHenry makes a knuckle coupler conversion for the Rivarossi cars that works ok, but if it were me, *I* would body mount the couplers. If you plan to run heavyweights behind your steamer, Athearn makes great heavyweight cars, but for a little extra coin, Bachmann Heavyweights feature interiors and lighting and look FANTASTIC. I was given a 7 car set as a gift and I LOVE 'em. Let me know if you'd like a pic of those. I've also got several of the Athearn streamlined and heavyweight cars too. I'd be happy to provide pics or more info on them. Lastly, the Bachmann cars do have one big advantage over the Athearn in that they feature diaphrams and somewhat close coupling by way of a swiveling body mounted coupler (Kadee #5's drop right in) that swivels with the trucks via a "steering linkage" arm inside the car. Works like a charm. Just VERY nice cars. A little more pricey than Athearn and Roundhouse cars, about on average with Rivarossi and IHC cars price wise, but WELL worth it. In my opinion, the best value for HO passenger cars.

*I* personally would stick with a smaller engine, but if you have your heart set on a 4-8-4 Northern, that's great! It'll work just fine, just remember, it is YOUR railroad, and the only one person you have to please is yourself. If YOU are happy with it, that is all that matters! Best of luck to you and please, keep us posted as to what you decide to get train wise for your steam excursion set. I'm very interested!

Happy Railroading!

[MountainMan]

You can have any type of steam engine you want from any era. - just run it as a resurrected excursion locomotive!

The Durango and Silverton has a working, woodburning 4-4-0 as well as it's regular roster, while a Challenger was resurrected from the Boulder Railroad Museum recently to take a special train from Denver to the State Fair.

Just pick one you like!

[fsm1000]

Combat, if the dayliner works on your layout [clearances] you won't be disappointed I think. I like them and seen one at a train show and man did it looks nice
Yes it was tight on some of the curves but other places it just looked good
Even standing still they look nice. And of course not being all black they stand out amongst the other locos.

s for clearance i understand that one. Had to use a saw and hammer to get my clearances just right LOL

But hey, it is all in the learning.

Just an idea, try making a couple of "clearance" cars. I did, although I made only ONE, duh me. I should have made a couple of them. Anyhow just an idea
I think you will be happy with them.


ALSO, for the guys who posted the links THANKS A LOT GUYS.
They were great.