Hello all, I’m a modeler on a budget focusing on the C&O in the steam era. I’d like to know if anyone has “super-detailed” any of the following steamers into decent representations of the prototype: Newer Bachmann 2-8-0’s numbered in the G-7 class - wanting to model G-9’s Bachmann 4-8-2’s Mehano/IHC 4-6-2’s - wanting to model F-17, 18, and/or 19’s As I said, I’m on a budget and I can’t shell out the money for a nicer model right now (brass or plastic), but I can justify detail parts here or there over time. I’m not scared to “cut and chop,” repaint, etc. Thanks for any help! -Dale
Do you have a solid handle on a Bachmann Spectrum Heavy Mountain in C&O livery? If so, that’s already a pretty nifty engine with an excellent reputation. I can’t speak to specifics in detail, but what I mean is that they are exceedingly rare. I thought I had obtained about the very last available ‘new in box’ except maybe the odd one still out there on eBay.
Crandell
Dale, there was a thread or two about the 2-8-0 conversion in one of the C&O Yahoo groups.
Dale,
I am a “casual” C&O modeler, but maybe I can offer a few thoughts.
If my research is correct, the Bachmann 2-8-0 is actually closest to a C&O G4h/G5h, but needs a smaller tender to be correct. But they are close to a G7/G9 as well. Check this out:
http://sa-com.net/pp/pp_files/frame.htm
Pictures of C&O 2-8-0’s are hard to come by for comparison. Bachmann did make a smaller high side steel tender that was used on their Russian 2-10-0 and ten wheeler that would be close for the G4h and G5h, and would be an easy swap.
The Bachmann 4-8-2, as produced in C&O, is a very accurate model of these locos, and a very good running and good pulling loco. It also has a very high level of detail. I have a total of nine of them between my ATLANTIC CENTRAL and the C&O. As you likely know, they are not currently in production, but if you look around you should be able to find some in nice condition or new in the box.
The Mehano 4-6-2 is not a bad loco, I have a couple, but I’m not sure it is a very good strating point for a C&O Pacific - I would have to do some checking there.
The Bachmann C&O K4, 2-8-4 Kanawha is also a nicely detailed, reasonably accurate model. also currently out of production, but still generally available. This loco is in their regular line, but is nearly as nice asa Spectrum. It is a little light weight, but has plenty of room to add weight - I added lots of weight to mine making them nice pullers.
Beyond what is listed above, and the Rivarossi 2-6-6-6 and the Broadway Limited 2-10-4, accurate C&O steam modeling in mainly a brass thing - and expensive brass at that.
For as much as most people know about the C&O, a few Bachmann 2-8-0’s, with some tender swaps and a few detail changes if you feel up to it, and most people will think you are the C&O expert. That plus a few 2-8-4’s and 4-8-
Yes they are a little “rare” now, but for 10 years they where everywhere - you just have to keep your eyes open. I have three that say C&O.
And they are very accurate in terms of detail.
Sheldon
Question?;
Are the Athearn Gensis, USRA 2-8-2 Light Mikado,accurate Loco’s,for the C&O?? Reason I ask,I got a deal on two of them,years ago,new in box DC,never run and they appear to have a pretty good share of detail on them. They are painted and lettered for the C&O…
Cheers,
Frank
The C&O did have some USRA Mikes that came from the Pere Marquette. However they did not have USRA design tenders. Like many C&O locos, that had very large tenders with six wheel trucks. C&O class K-8.
It should be noted that hese locos had a very short life in C&O lettering - came from the PM in 1947 - scraped in 1951.
Sheldon
The C&O did have some USRA Mikes that came from the Pere Marquette. However they did not have USRA design tenders. Like many C&O locos, that had very large tenders with six wheel trucks. C&O class K-8
Kinda like this: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/mikado/pm1050-davis.jpg
#1050 represents the MK-2 engines, built in 1927. MK-1’s #'s 1011-1040 were USRA originals and equipped with Walschaert gear rather than Baker.
Pretty engines.
Andre
there are several roads in my neck of the woods that I model. The C&O being one of them. I have a large variety of C&O power. I have a Rivarossi C&O F-19 4-6-2, and a Rivarossi C&O K-3 2-8-2 which I picked up on Ebay years ago. They are getting hard to find on ebay but occasionally one does show up. I also have the Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 as well and everyone is correct. It is very close to prototypical. I also have the Bachmann 2-8-4 K-4 as it is an excellent locomotive and runs extremely well. In order to get the Mehano 4-6-2 to look somewhat like a F-17 or F-19 you will have to purchase an elesco feed water tank and piping and other details like that in order to have it look like a C&O F-19. By the time you spend the money to purchase these details you will get into the price range close to one of those Rivarossi F-19 4-6-2s. However, that all depends on what decade of the C&O you are modeling. Because the C&O didnt start putting flying air pumps and elesco feed water heaters on these locomotives until later on in their service careers.
Suggest you consult the COHS for loco info and details
you find lots of photos there to help with your detailing
Just do an archive search
This older thread http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/209603.aspx had some ideas for lower cost/good enough for me - type C&O steam. Decades ago AHM/Rivarossi put a different smoke box front and a couple other detail differences on their NYC Hudson, added the tender from their NKP Berkshire model, and came up with a surprisingly plausible C&O 4-6-4.
Dave Nelson
Sheldon,
Thanks for the info and reply…For 50 percent off,i just couldn’t pass them up…A local Hobby shop was closing in my area and everything in the store was going for half off… I spent two days checking things out and wound up with various steamers and diesels,20 in all,a lot of manufactures,Athearn,Bachmann Spectrum,2-8-0’s,those are real sweet runner’s and highly detailed,all different road names…The owner an older man,like myself,was tickled pink,when he learned,I was paying cash,he even dropped some to 75 off…I sold a lot of the other’s,but I believe I’ll keep these and letter them for the Santa Fe…Now I’ll have to find room,for a bigger roundhouse…[(-D].
Andre and Thanks for sharing,the pic and info…
Cheers,
Frank[:)]
Dale,
I don’t believe that the Mehano/IHC 4-6-2 would be a good starting point for the C&O F-17’s, -18’s,-19’s. These were basically USRA heavy 4-6-2’s clones, IIRC, and the Mehano Pacific’s are USRA Lights.
Since you don’t seem to mind adding and removing detail to a locomotive, might I suggest that you go on to E-bay, and look for any Rivarossi Heavy USRA Pacific, and with some of the Bachmann tenders, come up with your own copy of them. Most of the heavies I’ve seen are the Crescent Limited Pacifics, that it seems like they made thousands of those. Problem is they’re not close for the SRR, but could be used as a starting piece for other RR’s. As was stated earlier, Rivarossi made some F-class Pacifics back in the 1970’s/1980’s and these can be found on the bay, sometimes.
Your only other choice is brass, and depending on who made the engine, and when it was made, will determine the price. E-bay generally has many brass pieces for auction/sale, and I would also check the custom sellers like Caboose Hobbies and Bill’s Brass. I would take a guess and say you’ll find some from $400, and up. You could get lucky and even find the model that Rivarossi made as some of the custom sellers also handle estate sales, and they don’t limit themselves to just brass.
Thank you all for the replies so far. I’m almost ashamed to admit that I wasn’t aware of the Bachmann 4-8-2’s, but at least now I have another engine to look for. 
Isn’t the Bachmann USRA 2-6-6-2 also a possible C&O engine? (H-4?) They would be mine run, mostly.
Actually, both of the Spectrum 2-6-6-2 locos are C&O - H4 and H5 - funny we all forgot about them in this discussion - and I have a number of both of those locos.
Maybe the OP got us so focused on smaller power, and he did talk about being budget minded. The 2-6-6-2’s are generally in the over $200 range at best these days.
But they too are great running and well detailed. My ATLANTIC CENTRAL also has a number of them:
Sheldon
Rivarossi 4-6-2 Ho scale F-19
http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/ahmhoscalelocomotives/id112.html
Rivarossi 2-8-2 Ho scale K-3
http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/ahmhoscalelocomotives/id88.html
I also forgot about the Bachmann H-4s and also the Rivarossi 2-6-6-6 Allegheny if you have a track big enough to handle them and the pocket book to purchase them. They are also excellent locomotives.
Also a 2-8-4 Riv/AHM Pere Marquete
Which became part of the C&O
cheap power
Went to Ebay-HO scale. Narrowed search to the AHM/Rivarossi set, and there are at least 3 F-19 Pacifics on it now.
Yes and AHM / Riv also makes Hudsons in C&O and usually can be bought for less than 60$