Been working on a Bowser Docksider, probably identical to the Varney model. Put in a can motor, gearbox & flywheel so far. Ready for the super detailing & valve gear. When I sat it on the track it looked too large…got out a Riviossi? & it was the same size. It looks like a giant compared to my other steam locos. Checked on line & it did look big for a switcher. Does anyone know if these models are oversize…Thanks…jerry
Considering the Varney, Rivarossi, Life-Like, Bowser (LL and Bowser based off Varney), Mehano (IHC), and high-end brass models have all been the same size, I think it’s safe to assume it’s accurate. The large size of the switcher would have made it a good option for manufacturers, since they could easily fit a DC-60 motor inside. If you look at the front, you’ll notice that the smokebox door is actually pretty small, and most of the size comes from the saddle-tank covering the boiler.
I think it is correct - I remember seeing a Tenshodo one back in the 60’s - It was the same size as a the AHM/Rivarossi one. The B&O ‘Docksider’ was a very modern engine, built to work around the Pratt St docks(IIRC) in Baltimore. There were 4 of them, and two were later rebuilt with a tender and lost the ‘saddle’ over the boiler. This was not a little ‘industrial’ or back woods teakettle.
Jim
The reason B&O 96-99 (Dockside, not, “docksider”) looks large is the saddle tank, which is huge and comes all the way to the front of the smokebox… To get an idea of the actual boiler diameter, look at the smokebox door.
Late in their lifetime, two (96 and 99, IIRC) were de-tanked and fitted with tenders. They looked downright scrawny.
I keep threatening to make my three Rivarossi yard sale queen Docksides into a triplex, but I’d have to grind the pizza cutters to RP-25 contour first. 2-4-4-4-4T anyone?
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with improbable TTT locomotives)