im looking for a 4-4-0 locomotive with a funnel stack, but im haveing a hard time finding one. I dont mind doing a little work on one but I just dont want to spend a week makeing something that looks halfway decent.
anyone have an idea where i can buy one?
Bachmann makes a 4-4-0 in their Spectrum line taht is a nice little model of a ‘modern’ 4-4-0…it actually is a model of a Maryland & Pennsylvania loco. They also make a non-Spectrum 1880’s era 4-4-0. Roundhouse makes a 4-4-0. IHC made one but I dont know if they are still available.
The only HO scale locomotive appropriate for a funnel stack and currently listed in any manufacturer’s catalog is the Bachmann “golden spike” train set 4-4-0. The Spectrum and Roundhouse locomotives are too modern.
There is always the unmentionable auction site. The Mantua/Tyco “General” is usually available at a reasonable price. Once you grind off the “General” nameplate, you’ve got a pretty generic 1860s 4-4-0. There are also the V&T locos by Rivarossi or IHC, At least the “Genoa” (I think) has a funnel stack. Or, you can use the Cal-Scale funnel stack and apply to the 4-4-0 of your choice. Any of the aforementioned locos can benefit from a replacement motor, but that’s an easy conversion, since the motors are in the tenders.
Here’s a General I reworked a number of years ago… The headlight and stack were changed, water piping from the pumps to the check valve and flags were added, and a new tender wood load made. A new motor was added, as well.
By funnel stack, I’ll assume that you’re looking for a balloon style stack 4-4-0, typical of an early woodburning engine of this type. Excluding hard to find (and expesive) brass imports, you’ve got three choices.
Bachman Jupiter: In current production, widely available used. Look for one of the later production engines with the smaller, better motors. Not only do these run a little better, but they alllow you to get rid of the poorly done wood load that was necessary to cover the older motor.
The main problem with these in my experience has been out of gauge wheel sets on the tender and pilot trucks. Check 'em and fix or replace with NWSL wheel sets (short European axle for tender) if you prefer RP-25 contour. Bachman is good with spare parts, and parts are reasonably priced. These engines have traction tires aand I’ve found them to be good pullers.
AHM/IHC V&T Genoa: Still in production in various road names, widely availble used. I’d give the nod to the older AHM engines for better detail and quaility, but the recent ones have a better motor. The problem with this paticular engine is that it’s oversize for HO, actually being OO scale, 1/8’ to the foot. That doesn’t seem to bother a lot of people, but they look way to big to me.
They run pretty good, but occasionaly the worm gear needs shiming. Watch for poor asssembly on recent IHC engines made in eastern Europe. Bought a new one of these a while back that was put together with the insulated drivers on the wrong side. Took a while to figure out what was wrong, but ran ok once that was corrected.
Mantua/Tyco General Not currently in production, but widely available used. Look for one of the later ones with traction tires, they definintely improve this engine’s pulling power which is minimal without one. Also make sure that the cab weight is there. It
You can get a 4-4-0 with the stack you are looking for, chop off the stack and it’s details and use it on YOUR 4-4-0.
If memory serves the Strasburg 4-4-0 recieved a balloon stack for a movie for a time.
Or wait long enough for another spectrum wood burner with the stack ye are looking for. This is like a hint to other manufactors… quit cranking out big boys and output a decent 4-4-0 for once.
http://www.taplines.net/dc/dc103drinkingswampwaterweb.jpg
Photographed in 1938, right here in my own back yard.
The Bethlehem Car Works makes a Congdon stack, Walthers sells them, stock # 395-7
Now that’s just plain wrong…
buy one of these and a bachmann spectrum 4-4-0 and figure out a way to attach it . you’ll have an engine that looks like what you want , and runs very well . it won’t be prototypical but 90% of the people in the world won’t know anyway , 5% will know it’s not right but won’t say anything about it , and the other 5% will find something wrong with anything you run that wasn’t scratch built to exact scale from the manufacturers blueprints , so you can’t please them no matter what you do [:)]
please note that the above percentages are a figment of my imagination , and any references to rivit-counters are made in a friendly , jesting manner and are not meant to be insulting in any way
The Spectrum model provides for oil, coal, or wood fuel to be carried by the tender. Use the wood load with that stack. If you use coal or oil, a straight stack would be most appropriate.
Mark
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and I reckon this little Baldwin is a beauty! Neither the Bachmann or the Roundhouse 4-4-0s are “too modern” to be fitted with a spark-arresting stack, BTW. It’s entirely appropriate for a model of a woodburner, or a loco operating on a logging line.
Thanks for posting this, Bill.
Cheers,
Mark.
There is a general assumption throughout this thread that you are looking for an HO engine but you didn’t mention a gauge. Fo what it is worth if working in G gauge all LGB stacks are interchangeable and can be replaced by just pulling the old one straight up and inserting the new one.
There is a general assumption throughout this thread that you are looking for an HO engine but you didn’t mention a gauge. Fo what it is worth if working in G gauge all LGB stacks are interchangeable and can be replaced by just pulling the old one straight up and inserting the new one. DUH! It is the title. Brilliant!
are all the drives out there for the locomotive that im looking for tender drives?
i have been looking at the bachmann (standerd) 4-4-0 and i think i could put in a good-looking wood load, would you use resen or actual wood, like dowels with plaster coating to resemble bark?
the locomotive also needs to negosiate 15" radi curves i looked at the guy who made the pacific coast air line railroad website, and he made one of the best 1870’s 4-4-0 kitbash i have seen in a long time useing the roundhouse 1905 4-4-0 and a IHC 4-4-0 oldtimer, thing is i dont want to screw it up, im not very good yet at kitbashing yet, and i really really really dont want to mess up a $220.00 locomotive.
The Bachmann Spectrum “modern” 4-4-0 already comes with a realistic wood pile for the tender and has the motor located in the locomotive, not the tender. It is available with either steel or wood cabs. (You should go with the wooden one because steel cabs for these kind of locomotives were generally replacements for worn-out wooden ones. I would bet my money the loco will operate on a 15" curve, but I can’t say for a fact it would. (Hope you don’t have steep grades: 4-4-0s are notoriously poor pullers.)
Mark
I have the Mantua General and with a flexible tool option with appropriate bit connected to my Dremel, I was able to grind off the General name plate. The tender drive has a can motor with a DCC decoder.
I have the Spectrum Richmond 4-4-0 undecorated and it is almost too modern for my 1890 layout. Yes we can believe anything we want to. I converted mine to sound. The tender is ready for sound.
You do not have to pay $220 for the engine if you do not want to. Micro Mark carries it for $139. That is who I bought mine from. Great detail compared to my Roundhouse 4-4-0 and 2-6-0.
http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Department&ID=158
Also, the IHC old time 4-4-0 does not seem to be available anymore. I wanted to try the kitbash like you mentioned. Good luck.
Rich
For years, I have been planning an H.O. layout set around 1890 in the Pacific Northwest, but have been disappointed in available locomotives. To me, they are all junk. Even some brass of this era lacks scale fidelity, detailing, and performance. I believe I have a solution - the layout will accomodate ten locomotives at most, so I purchased a small lathe, drill press, files, sheet brass, brass bar stock, motors, gears, and some detail parts. I also intend to pick up a mini-milling machine soon.
I am going to build my entire roster from scratch. I am currently between houses - so my model making is on hold for the moment, but I did start a respectable Pennsylvania A-3 0-4-0 switcher (plan no. 3 in the MR cyclopedia - vol. 1). The tender, cab, boiler, domes, cylinders, and frame are complete, and I have started on the running gear (including the drivers). Being my first attempt at a steam loco, I am very pleased so far. This A-3 might not make it to the layout’s final roster, but it has improved my skills and shown how rewarding scratchbuilding can be. Eventually, I will build locomotives in batches of 2 or 3 of each class for my own layout. I use CAD software to help with design and dimensions. I have also entertained the idea of producing a commercial kit for brass models of the V&T 4-4-0’s Inyo, Reno, and Genoa from machined, photo-etched, and laser-cut parts someday - maybe.
Some manufacturer may someday offer inexpensive high quality locomotives from the turn of the century, but I am not waiting for them any longer. And my tools can also help produce freight cars, layout details, fixtures for track laying…
hey if you make a kit for a 4-4-0 ill be in line to buy it! good luck.