I am thinking about starting a project with a Bowser HO 2-8-2 Mikado steamer, and detailing it into a CB&Q class O-4. Does anyone else own bowser locomotives? How easy are they to put together? Do they run smoothly?(don’t need to know how many cars they pull, have heard a joke about them that they can “pull the bumper off a Chevy.”) Are they easy to convert to DCC/do they have an 8-pin plug included? Any model made in the U.S. I would believe to be top quality. I just like to be educated before I buy.[:p]
I have built the Bowser Old Lady Consolidation. It was a very nice kit. Well though out and a strong puller. I would not hesitate to build another Bowser, if they had locos my RR could use. My one gripe is that they are too into Pennsy. Their Northern has no prototype. The USRAs have been a great addition for them. I like the mike also and if I did buy, I would spring for the super detail kit, also.
Considering that Bowser and MDC are the only manufacturers that offer steam kits, I think we should support them.
Years ago, when I was in HO, I built a Bowser kit. It’s not hard, I was only about a year in the hobby then and it was my first kit more complicated than MDC/Roundhouse box cars. If I were still in HO, I would have a bunch of them.
Enjoy
Paul
I’ve built 3 Bowser engines and after super detailing them, I have a hard time telling them from my brass loco,s.The last one I built was about 8 years ago and I was’nt too happy with thier DC61[?]or 71? motors,so I installed ‘helix humper’ motors in them.After 8 years
,they still run great,The hardest part for me to get right was the valve gear rivets and I ended up buying thier pre-assembled units.Just take your time,and you’ll have a nice model.
More praise of Bowser!
I built a Pennsy Consolidation kit and found it quite enjoyable, just follow the directions and take your time. Test things as you go and you’ll be fine.
I believe they have info on DCC adaptability on their Web site, which has a link on this site under manufacturers. As designed, the frame is part of the circuit, and the motor has to be isolated.
If I remember correctly, some of the newer models are designed with an isolated motor, and kits using their motors and Helix Humper moters are available.
By the way, I think the best part about their models is the heavy concentration of Pennsy prototypes [:D]
Eric
The first Bowser I built was a Christmas present from my wife the first year we were married. It was a K-4. After 32 years still have the loco and the wife and both still work. I have built several Bowser’s over the years and the USRA 2-8-2 is one of the finest kits I’ve ever seen for a steam locomotive. But this is not a kit for a first or even a second timer.
Riveting the valve gear and not getting it too tight is real easy. Place the rivet head down on a metal surface, place the outside part on the rivet. Then take a small piece of paper, and push it onto the rivet and then place your final inside part. Lightly tap the rivet down with the riveting tool supplied and tear the paper from between the parts. You have a nicely riveted assembly that will not bind.
Bowser has a reputation as the best of the domestic steam locomotive kit makers. For more information on kit building a locomotive have a look at www.steamlocomotive.com/ , click on the right hand bar “Guide to HO steam locomotives”
You might think about buying a motor tool, some machinist blocks and V blocks, as well as a “quartering jig” from NWSL www.NWSL.com They aren’t absolutely necessary but greatly aid the construction process.
Side comment, I believe Bowser is either the successor to or buyer of the old Penn Line company. Thus their emphasis on Pennsy steam power.
I have found that various retailers offer Bowser kits for considerably (20-40%) less than Bowser directly. Check around the net for deals. Also several companies make super-detail parts if you have a specific prototype road or engine in mind. Check the Walters on-line catalog as a start, but go to the individual firm’s catalog or website as Walthers doesn’t stock entire lines.
Have Fun
Randy
Thanks a lot. However, I just found out that Bowser is going to release a HO scale Heavy Mikado that would match the prototype CB&Q 0-4 class perfectly, except 0-4’s had an oil tender (although it wouldn’t be very hard to modify Bowser’s existing tender with styrene). I hope they release the Heavy Mike this summer, as I don’t have a workshop and working outside is my only option.
rda1964, I was the only one who made a comment on the amount of steam engine kit manufacturers there are in this thread and I did not say there was only one!
In our club,two members have Bowser engines,(I-1 2-10-0,M-1 4-8-2,K-4 4-6-2,& T-1 4-4-4-4) and all pull well due to the all metal construction. One of the 2-10-0’s is over 30 years old,(origionally made by Penn Line),and has worn out one set of tender trucks.Other people have told me that the “Helix Humper” motors do improve the performance over the older motors,which can draw over one amp when working hard.I also understand that Broadway Limited has brought out a USRA Heavy 2-8-2 and I think CB&Q is one of the roadnames offered.Good luck and good modeling.
One of the reasons I didn’t buy the BLI Heavy Mikado is because of the many molded-on details (it’s in the powerhouse series, BLI’s cheaper line.) I also plan to re-motor the Bowser with a NWSL motor kit to conceal the motor a little better. I e-mailed Bowser yesterday and they told me that the Heavy Mikado won’t be released for a while, so I’ll hunt around for a Life-like P2K Heritage 0-6-0 when I go to Galesburg Railroad Days this June. By the way, the BLI engine is sold out. (thank goodness my LHS is a BLi dealer, I can pre-order any new CB&Q engine whenever it’s released.)
Mark:
Sorry, it was late and I misread your post. Or perhaps my eyes are simply middle-aged.
Randy
Where did you hear this?
AggroJones, go to Bowser’s website at www.bowser-trains.com, and look around for a “about us” page or something like that. You’ll have to read thru their company history page to find it.
I would love to build a bowser kit, they look great, but I have to get the layout further along first.