Roster Advice (Model Steam Locomotives)

Discussion in 'HO Steam Locomotive General' started by rjthomas909, Jan 26, 2019.

  1. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Frisco Friends,

    For the Crawford and Cherokee layout (build thread: http://www.frisco.org/shipit/index.php?threads/crawford-and-cherokee-layout-update.6220/ ), I am looking to add a couple of locomotives to the roster that would be Frisco appropriate, at least good stand-ins). Currently, I am considering adding another consolidation (have a Bachmann that appears in the photos with doghouse-equipped oil tender, modified by other members and still a treasure), a ten-wheeler, and a modernized 4-4-0.

    There are candidates that are undecorated, without road name for these regularly on eBay, etc, but I would like to be sure and purchase a relatively close match. As I am not a steam expert, I am hoping that the crew here can provide some advice and experience.

    Edit: Should add the following.....looking for something for 1920-1935 time period. Railroad is a branch line.

    Thanks in Advance,

    -Bob T.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2019
  2. gna

    gna Member Frisco.org Supporter

    A USRA Russian 2-10-0 is a very good branch line locomotive. Bachmann makes a model already decorated for the Frisco available with sound and without. I would recommend it with some reservations. A few have reported problems with the drive, which may or may not be belt related. It has the same belt as the Bachmann 2-8-0, so if you're happy with that it may be worth a try.

    Mine worked flawlessly for several years, but I took a break from trains for a couple of years and when I pulled it out again it was very sluggish. I was able to get it going again, but I'm always a little wary.
     
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  3. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I wonder about the 2-10-0's being able to navigate the mine spurs in the area. I've heard of them running mostly out in western Oklahoma. I think the Bachmann 2-8-0, 4-6-0 and 4-4-0 are all good candidates. To me they look "close enough." You might also consider the 0-6-0 that Walthers produced. I think there is one up on Ebay right now, and there is photo evidence to support that they were used in the area.
     
  4. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Thanks Guys. Ethan, I found the 0-6-0 and have on my watch list. If you are bidding, I will leave it alone.
     
  5. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    Bob, the latest Bachmann 2-8-0 in the blue box with DCC on board or Sound Value decoder (SoundTraxx) are good runners without some of the issues of the earlier Spectrum series. I have two that I got when attending SoundTraxx Dealer seminars in Durango.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-5...=item2ac2589716:g:uTAAAOSwO7dcR89w:rk:20:pf:0

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/BACHMANN-H...=item363f2eccd0:g:pJQAAOSwdhdb2gbv:rk:27:pf:0

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bachmann-5...=item442ab9ef4e:g:tE8AAOSwSBhbxlcx:rk:68:pf:0

    For 0-6-0, the Proto 2000 Heritage can not be beat. One on Ebay right now.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-2000...h=item3fb8006566:g:84wAAOSwPXFcSLIT:rk:1:pf:0
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2019
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  6. Iantha_Branch

    Iantha_Branch Member

    I already have that engine, so no worries rjt
     
  7. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    I have always thought that referring to the Bolsheviks as USRA engines to be inaccurate. The locomotives were designed by Russian engineers and many were constructed well before the formation of the USRA. The only tie to the USRA was its order to cease delivery of the remaining 200. The Frisco purchased its Bolsheviks under two separate equipment purchase contracts with the US War Department. The first ten arrived during 1919, and the second ten arrived during 1920. Both contracts were identical... Ten locomotives for $250,000; $25,000 down with 9 equal installment payments paid annually with an interest rate of 6% per annum on deferred payments.

    In as much as several of the Frisco decapods were sold to Eagle Picher, the presence of one on the Crawford & Cherokee would seem to be a good fit.

    I would also point out the the USRA 0-6-0's had a Coopers rating of E-52 while the Bolsheviks had a rating of E-42. The decapods would have been better suited for a branch line setting.
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2019
  8. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

  9. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

  10. Coonskin

    Coonskin Member

    Bob:

    They run GREAT and sound good (for a "Sound Value" decoder).

    Here 'ya go. Skip to the 5:00 mark if you want to miss all the talk/etc:



    Andre
     
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  11. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

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  12. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Friends,

    Can I get info/advice from the Frisco Nation on finding the coonskin badge for the front of a steam locomotive? Are these available from a 3D printing source or are they a created otherwise?

    Thanks,

    -Bob T.
     
  13. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Not to worry - for years Kemtron, now Precision Scale, has offered a beautiful steam locomotive headlight bracket, complete with coonskin herald. It is available in both brass and plastic. Check Walthers or any good railroad hobby shop. The Precision Scale plastic item is #31608. I only have one brass one, and it is an old Kemtron, #561. I don't know what the Precision Scale number is for that. I'll get it and post it.

    For the coonskin herald only, for mounting on the nose of a Baldwin VO, or on the smokebox door of a 0-6-0, as examples, get the plastic piece and cut off the coonskin herald casting.

    Ken
     
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  14. rjthomas909

    rjthomas909 Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Excellent. Thanks Ken! I will see if I can find them on Walthers tonight.

    -Bob T.
     
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  15. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Uh-oh, I just checked the Walthers catalog index and they don't list Precision Scale now.

    The brass Precision Scale part is #31607, plastic is #31608. Makes sense, huh! Precision Scale has a set of catalogs you can download easily. These items are in the steam locomotive catalog. They have another catalog that lists prices, so the parts can be ordered directly from them it seems. Back in the good old days in St Louis, TinkerTown stocked these parts.

    They also have a nice set of Union Pacific brackets with the UP herald on it. SLSF and UP are the only two. We are in good company!

    K
     
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  16. What do any you use for the small decals in the coonskins?
     
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  17. Karl

    Karl 2008 Engineer of the Year Frisco.org Supporter

    Every commercial set, e.g., Champ, that I have ever used contained numerals for the coonskin number plate.
     
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  18. Thanks Karl. Along the same lines, nobody currently makes a set of Dulux gold passenger car decals do they?
     
  19. meteor910

    meteor910 2009 Engineer of the Year Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    If you can find a set of Champ's Frisco express reefer decals, they are almost perfect. You will need some other lettering though for a passenger car.

    K
     
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  20. gstout

    gstout Member Frisco.org Supporter

    I have some leftover sets of Champ Dulux gold passenger car sets. I could spare a couple if they are needed.

    GS
     
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