Hi folks,
I just read in MR that Roundhouse is producing a modern 4-4-0 American Type Steam Engine in HO Gauge. I have been looking for a decent model of the older “Wild West” type 4-4-0. However, Rivarossi stopped producing them (the wheel flanges were too deep anyway) and the Bachamnn and IHC models do not run too well. Suggestions anyone?[?]
The reason most small steam runs poorly is lack of adequate electrical pickup. I have “what I did” about putting pickups on 4-4-0’s at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/locomotives/wipers/
This will allow them to crawl over plastic frog turnouts.
The Bachmann 4-4-0 can be upgraded to improve the appearance and with the addition of the electrical wipers performs very well.
The Bachmann 4-4-0 with the cab “daylighted” and preliminary larger wheels on the tender. I am working on a web article on upgrading the Bachmann 4-4-0 and am awaiting parts.
Thank you if you visit
Harold
Another good runner, if you can find them, is the old Mantua/Tyco General. This is a Civil War era prototype and the model has the motor in the tender, with a drive shaft running to the drivers on the loco. The all zamac metal casting for the loco frame, boiler and cab give it about as much weight as possible on the drivers for such a small loco.
These show up regularly, even in kit form, on Ebay. Don’t be afraid of the kit, it’s not that difficult. Locos of this vintage had no external valve gear to model. They are “old tech” meaning they have brass wheels for electrical pickup that need periodic cleaning.
I have two of these, one since the 60’s, and they both run great. I may soon put together the kit I have for a third one.
I hear Bachmann is also coming out with a “modern” 4-4-0 (electric light and generator), in both steel and wooden cab versions. Sounds interesting, and surely a candicate for backdating by removing modern appliances and replacing with older technology. I’m curious how much those little engines can pull.
Another option, although this might call for some scrounging at swap meets, is to take the Mantua General chassis and the Cary retrofit boiler for a somewhat more modern 4-4-0 – perhaps 1890s rather than 1870 (the Mantua General represents what the famous locomotive looked like after the Civil War).
Dave Nelson
Just for the record. There is no such thing as a modern 4-4-0. Newer or later build date I’ll accept but modern is not a term I would use.
Sorry I know this is a bit of a nit pickers argument - it is perfectly possible to have a “modern” 4-4-0. A present day replica for example, would be a modern 4-4-0. I’m sure many minature railways also run truly modern 4-4-0s …
… the point in this thread is that a “modern” 4-4-0 is one that was built later than when the type first came into existance in the mid C19th, at the turn of the C20th for example. Many of these types exhibited “modern” steam locomtive traits such as piston valves, outside valve gear, turbo generators and electric lights, compound air pumps, and even super heaters.
Well while obviously no steam locomotive is modern in a literal sense, in a comparative sense clearly the Chicago & Illinois Midland 4-4-0s were far more “modern” in terms of applicances and build dates (1927, 1928) than any of the 4-4-0s we have been discussing above. Those build dates are roughly parallel to the first superpower steam locomotives, which I have often seen referred to as “modern.”
Dave Nelson
And… 4-4-0’s were often modernized. Like this Frisco beauty:
Andre
