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Southern_Pacific_Railroad_4-6-2_-2472_at

4-6-2 Pacific SteamLocomotives

Module 16D

4-6-2 Pacific Steam Locomotives & Tender  

The next category of steam locomotive virtually selects itself as being one of the most prolific styles in use around the world for high-speed passenger traffic although they could be occasionally pressed into use for freight movements. I refer to the 4-6-2 Pacific Steam locomotive which was adopted by many countries through much of the early to mid-20th century to provide the motive power for express passenger trains before the advent of electric and diesel-electric locomotives. Around 6,800 such locomotives were produced.

 

According to the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 4-6-2 represents the wheel arrangement of four leading wheels on two axles, six powered and coupled driving wheels on three axles and two trailing wheels on one axle. This positioning became almost globally known as a Pacific type although it is often referred to as a 2-3-1 arrangement (as viewed from the side) and under the complex German UIC wheel arrangement notation as a 2'C1 (no, me neither).

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The Pacific proved to be equally popular with model railway enthusiasts and generated a large number of miniature replicas in all scales although the number of models available in Large Scale (1:22.5; 1:29; 1:32 scales) is not as large as you might expect. No doubt this is mainly due to the disproportionately heavy costs involved in designing and manufacturing accurate representations which invariably tends to be reflected in the ultimate selling price.

WheelArrangement_4-6-2_edited.png

Aristo-craft 4-6-2 “Pacific” Steam Locomotives  

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One of the first companies to enter the fray (around 1992 I believe) where Aristo-craft. They were certainly not diffident about describing their introductory Pacific locomotive as "without a doubt, the most highly detailed #1 Gauge 1/29th Scale PACIFIC TYPE Steam Locomotive available".

Aristocraft A21404-PO Baldwin 4-6-2 Paci

By all accounts the original Aristo-craft design (ART 214XX Series) was not greeted with universal acclaim as early models exhibited a number of shortcomings but the introduction of a much improved versions, from 2004 onwards and again in 2011, incorporating a new "prime mover" modular motor block, all metal rod gear and improved smoke unit, helped to establish the "Pacific" as one of the most popular in Aristo-crafts product range.

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Like the prototype the model version of the Pacific is a heavy duty engine and can pull quite a load without undue strain or noise. The Aristo-craft Pacific is said to be based on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad  P7 Class President of which 20 were built in 1927. The model version is nominally 1:29 scale.

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The model was updated significantly in 2008 and the major differences between the old and new versions are examined in George Schreyer's informative web pages which can be accessed using the button below:

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Technical Specification:

                                               

PACIFIC 4-6-2 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE (ART-21400 Series)

 

FEATURES - NEW & UPGRADED:

  • All new motor block

  • Can Motor Drive with Built In Cooling Fan

  • All Drive Axles Gear Driven

  • 3 Patent Ball Bearing Equipped Prime Mover Gearboxes

  • 2 Flywheels For Better Locomotive Performance

  • Blackened cast metal drive wheels

  • Blackened cast metal main drive rods

  • Modular PC Board with plug & play capabilities

  • Sound, Battery, DCC & RCC Ready

  • Plugs for Battery Operation

  • Either Long or Vanderbilt Tender Depending on Prototype

  • Patented Smoke Unit with burnout protection (SD-45 type) under Smoke Stack

  • Factory-installed speaker for optional after-market sound unit (in tender)

  • Operating Marker / Classification Lights

  • Operating Knuckle Coupler (on Tender rear)

  • Mounting Bracket for Knuckle Coupler (front coupler provided)

  • Moveable Cab Side Windows

  • Blackened Solid Brass Grab Railings

  • Boiler and Cab Detail

  • Separate Details Including Bell, Whistle, Headlight, and Domes

  • Excellent Painting and Lettering

  • Extra weight for Extra Pulling Power

  • Approximate length: 22" or 38" complete with tender

  • Minimum Radius: 6.5'

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Aristocraft released over 20 different liveries so I won't take up space listing them all here but would again refer you to Greg Elmassian's most useful Aristo-craft Motive Power Catalog for full details including relevant product codes.

Here are two videos of modified versions of the standard locomotive. The first has an upgraded sound system and the second a new paint job.  I have added a third video which seems to be the standard "out-of-th-box" version.

Saving the best until last this is the Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 Pacific hauling a long consist of passenger cars on the mainline.

LGB ASTER J3a Hudson Steam Locomotive 4-6-4     Limited Edition 600     20542  New York Central  (NYC)                                                                                       2000                                                                                 

Notwithstanding LGB's continued interest in attracting USA buyers following the successful introduction of the 2-6-0 Mogul range their subsequent involvement seems to have been confined to occasional runs of Mallets and Forneys - sometimes as limited editions or collaborations with other parties such as this case where they partnered with Aster Hobbies to produce a superb brass replica of the Hudson built between 1937 and 1938.

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i realise that this is actually a 4-6-4 wheel arrangement ( also applied to "Baltics") but as I could find no examples of an 4-6-2 Pacific I decided to include this impressive piece of model engineering anyway. The Hudson locomotives were famously known for hauling the New York Central's crack passenger trains, such as the 20th Century Limited and the Empire State Express. 

 

Production was limited to a maximum of 600 so any remaining examples will set you back a tidy sum even second-hand - probably around US$ 4000 (£ 3000) - but potentially a very sound investment at a time when interest rates are so abysmally low. Apparently, no model is ever sold again once stocks are exhausted so given the continued popularity of these locomotives there is every likelihood that you will own an appreciating asset.

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The specification is equally attractive as one would expect for a locomotive of such provenance and pedigree:

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  • Limited Run -  600 (Make sure you get a statement of authenticity)

  • Brass Construction

  • Factory Painted

  • Sliding Cab Windows

  • Complete Cab Interior and individual gauges, valves and levers

  • Detailed boiler with fittings, domes, pipes and handrails

  • Prototypical livery and lettering

  • Operating drive rods and detailed Baker valve gear

  • Four-Way power control switch

  • Two Seven-Pole Buhler motors

  • Six Powered Wheels

  • Ten power pick-ups

  • Digital electronic sound - Synchronized steam chuffs; Bell and Whistle sounds; Brake Sounds (with Multi-Train System); Air Pump, Safety valve and steam sounds; Volume Control, Remote Control of sound features (with Multi-Train System)

  • Voltage stabilization circuit

  • Smoke Generator

  • Simulated Fire Box with Flickering Red Glow

  • Lighted Cab Interior

  • Directional Headlight & Tender Light

  • Multi-Purpose Socket

  • Length: 1012mm (39.8 inches)

  • Weight: 9500 grams (20.9 Lbs)

  • Information Booklet included

  • Spare Parts, Figure for cab, Smoke Oil and Sound Magnets included

  • Original Wooden Box 

Aster Hobbies  4-6-2  Steam Locomotives  

Fortunately, over the years, Aster Hobbies also made quite a few 4-6-2 ( 2-3-1) wheelbase steam locomotives although as prestige all metal reproductions they do not really fall into the price category of the 'average enthusiast'. Recently, for example, a sale of the Abbott Collection of Scale Model Railway by the Gildings Auctioneers House featured a number of 4-6-2 types manufactured by Aster Hobby as summarised below including several British Outline steam locomotives:

Live Steam LMS 4-6-2 Duchess of Sutherland Gauge 1

Live Steam LNER 4-6-2 Winston Churchill Gauge 1

Aster Live Steam LMS 4-6-2 Duchess of Sutherland Gauge 1

Gauge 1 Aster Green French PLM 231A Pacific 

Aster Hobby Duchess of Atholl 4-6-2

Aster Hobby Duchess of Atholl 4-6-2 Pacific Gauge 1 Live Steam

Southern Pacific 4-6-2.jpg
Southern Pacific 4-6-2 #3126

Bachmann 4-6-2 Steam Locomotives  

Although Bachmann manufacture a number of 4-6-2 steam locomotives in HO scale I have yet to come across any examples of this particular wheel arrangement in the larger scales. It is not as if there were no     4-6-2 locomotives in service on North America railroads.  With 697 Pacific locomotives altogether, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) was the largest user of the type in the United States whilst the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe RR ultimately owned another 274 of this type. Indeed, during the first half of the 20th century, the Pacific rapidly became the predominant passenger steam power in North America. Between 1902 and 1930, about 6,800 locomotives of the type were built by North American manufacturers for service in the United States and Canada on over 80 major railroads and if exported locomotives included, about 7,300 were built in total. 

Piko 4-6-2 Steam Locomotives  

Piko offer a growing number of European model locomotives in G Scale but so far not a "Pacific" type despite numerous 3/6 class examples featuring on the Deutsche Reichsbahn and Deutsche Bundesbahn between 1907 and 1969. You can find out out more detail regarding the prototypes on the Wikipedia page denoted below:

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UK PROTOTYPES  

The United Kingdom certainly did not lag too much behind its counterparts when it came to the development of "Pacific" tender locomotives as all railway companies where constantly searching for more powerful and also economical engines for their expanding lines. According to Wikipedia , however, prior to the 1923 Grouping, only five 4-6-2 locomotives had been built.

Great_bear.jpg

GWR "The Great Bear" No. 111

Somewhat ironically the first of these was No.111 " The Great Bear", was introduced by the Great Western Railway (GWR) as early as 1908. This experimental locomotive actually proved to be more powerful than the railway's requirements and also too heavy for much of its elderly infrastructure. As a result, it was scrapped in 1924 and many of the parts were used to build the popular GWR 4073 Castle Class 4-6-0 Ten-wheeler locomotive.

Flying Scotsman 1924 Class A1.jpg

LNER "Flying Scotsman" No. 4472 in 1924

Quite some years later, in 1922, the Great Northern Railway (GNR) (eventually to form part of the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER) under regrouping) developed its own 4-6-2 in the guise of the A1 Class. The A1 and A3 Class steam locomotives represented two distinct stages in the history of the British "Pacific" steam locomotives designed by the famous engineer Nigel Gresley. 

National-Railway-Museum-The-Mallard.jpg

These locomotives were designed for main line passenger services and later express passenger services to replace the less powerful 'Atlantic' types. In 1924, number 4472 Flying Scotsman, renumbered and named for the occasion, was displayed at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley along with the first member of the Great Western Railway (GWR) Castle Class, number 4073 Caerphilly Castle.

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No. 4472 (rebuilt as an A3 Class) was eventually to become the first steam engine in the world to break the 100 mph speed record in 1934. The locomotive was widely used for publicity purposes and, unlike many of its counterparts, avoided the scrap yard, and was preserved by a series of wealthy benefactors and now resides in the York Transport Museum.

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The records and achievements of this Class did not stop there. This speed was surpassed by the streamlined LNER Class A4 of 1935, when "Silver Link" No. 2509   reached 112 miles per hour (180 kilometres per hour) on its inaugural run in 1935. Incredibly "Silver Link" was scrapped in March 1963.

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In 1938 even this record was shattered by the LNER 4468 "Mallard", a Class A4 4-6-2 steam locomotive built by the London & North Eastern Railway at Doncaster Works, England. in 1938. It still holds the world record for steam locomotives at 126 mph (203 km/h). Retired in 1963 it avoided the fate of the "Silver Link" and is now preserved at the National Railway Museum in York.

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Not to be outdone the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) joined the 4-6-2  race with the introduction of its twelve Princess Royal Class "Pacific" locomotives in 1933 and then enlarged the design with the streamlined Princess Coronation Class of 1937. The image below is of LMS 4-6-2 Princess Elizabeth No. 6201 on a special excursion to the coast.

LMS Princess Elizabeth No. 6201 .jpg

During the Second World War, the Southern Railway (SR) finally joined the fray and introduced two classes of "Pacific" designed by New Zealander Oliver Bulleid. These were the Merchant Navy Class and the West Country and Battle of Britain Class. These two classes continued to be built in the BR era and eventually totaled thirty Merchant Navy Class locomotives and 110 West Country and Battle of Britain Class locomotives.

 

The 55 BR Standard Class 7, otherwise know as the Britannia Class Pacific locomotives, introduced in 1951, were of a simple expansion two-cylinder design with Walschaerts valve gear. Their conservative design reflected a requirement for a more cost-effective, lower maintenance locomotive. Ten locomotives of a lighter version, the BR Standard Class 6, were introduced in the subsequent year.

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The final "Pacific" design in the United Kingdom was the BR Standard Class 8  of which only one was built in 1954 and numbered 71000 "Duke of Gloucester". It had many parts in common with the Britannias, but had three cylinders and Caprotti valve gear.

LGB HF110 Nicki-Frank Steam Locomotive 0-6-0T (030TT)                             20261

RuKB - Rugensche Kleinbahn                                                                  1993 - 1998

Protype Rugen Loco & Coaches.jpg

The release of the Limited Edition Aster / LGB Frank S in 1989 appears to have created a considerable amount of interest no doubt prompting the latter to come out with a more conventional (and slightly less expensive) version. The model they chose is this delightful 750mm Gauge Tender Locomotive which used to operate on the Rügensche Kleinbahn  ("Rugen's Small Railway" now known as the Rügensche Bäderbahn) which still operates on a 24 Km line on the Baltic island of Rügen using historic locomotives.

This video demonstrates the sound characteristics

There is said to be a fair degree of "selective compression" involved on this locomotive - sometimes referred to as the "rubber ruler" where manufacturers are obliged to compromise to achieve a model that is practical and compatible with their range. Having said that it is a very attractive and popular model locomotive which can prove increasingly hard to find these days. According to the Official Guide to LGB it has a black superstructure and frame and the water tanks, cab, tender sides are all a rich Pullman blue. Locomotive boiler bands and handrails are in gold. The cab is both lighted and furnished. length 472mm. This version was replaced by the black DR livery in 1993 (see below).

LGB HF110 Nicki-Frank Steam Locomotive 0-6-0T (C)                                    21261

DR Deutsche Reichsbahn                                                                         1997 - 2003

LGB HF110 Nicki-Frank Steam Locomotive 0-6-0T (C)                                    21261

DR Deutsche Reichsbahn                                                                         1997 - 2003

21261 LGB HF 110 994652 DR livery.jpg

In 1997 LGB replaced the Rügensche Kleinbahn livery with a plain black and red DR Deutsche Reichsbahn version which, apart from the colour scheme, number 994652 and decoder interface seems virtually identical.

LGB HF110 Frank Steam Locomotive 0-6-0T (C)                                              22261

Generic Version in Black, Green and Red                                                           2003

We will close this section with some videos exhibiting the characteristics of these engines when fitted with sound and smoke modules.

PIKO 0-6-0 Camelback Steam Locomotives                                                      38201

Burlington & Ohio (B&O)                                                                                      2014 

If you have read Module 16B you will already be familiar with a somewhat curious 2-6-0 Switcher Steam Locomotive variously referred to as "Camelback", "Mother Hubbard" or "Centre-Cab" due to it's eccentric appearance by reason of the cab being located transversely, in the middle of the engine, astride the boiler to afford the driver better visibility. Prototypes were built between 1913 and 1921 to take advantage of cheap anthracite which required a wider firebox and the idea was in use on several railroads. Unfortunately, this arrangement tended to give also gave the crew a somewhat violent ride and they were subsequently prohibited for safety reasons.

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The reason for also including them in this module is that certain Railroads adopted an 0-6-0 0r "six-wheeler" design which merits their inclusion here.

ARISTO-CRAFT 0-6-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVES  

Looking back it is somewhat surprising that Aristo-craft never seem to have got around to producing an       0-6-0 steam locomotive of any sort during their long existence. 0-4-0 Switchers; 2-4-2's; 2-8-0 Consolidations; 4-6-2 Pacifics; 2-8-2- Mikados and even a massive 2-8-8-2 Mallet butnot, apparently, a humble 0-6-0.

USA TRAINS 0-6-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVES        

Lehigh Valley Coal Co. No 126 0-6-0T Swi

So what about the USA Trains - their main competitor for so many years? Well, they did indeed manufacture an 0-6-0 in the form of a die-cast construction 0-6-0 "Docksider" steam locomotive in 1:29 scale. This was the first release under the company's "Ultimate Series". There are plenty of railroad liveries to choose from - at least 21 in their regular catalogue. 

 

PROTOTYPE

 

The Docksider 0-6-0T Steam Locomotives were developed in the early 1900’s to operate chiefly in heavy industrial operations throughout America. Many were used around the docks (hence the appellation “Docksider”) where ships would bring cargo to port. These locomotives then transported the ship’s cargo to the main freight yard where cargo was sent on its way behind larger and more powerful steam engines. The powerful locomotives were also employed in various industries to haul ore, coal, or other heavy minerals from the mines as they could readily negotiate tight curves.

docksidet.jpg

 

Switchers in this series (R200XX) feature:-

 

  • all metal die-cast construction

  • operating smoke stack

  • sound of steam, bell and whistle (activated by track magnets)

  • operating headlight

  • operating cab light

  • diecast drivers with stainless steel metal rims

  • metal drive wheel

  • detailed metal piping

  • metal hand rails

  • brass bell and whistle

  • opening windows

  • train engineer model

  • removable coal load

 

Length: 14 7/16 inches (367mm) including couplings

Width: 4 7/32 inches (108mm)

Height: 5 1/8 inches (130mm)

Weight: 10 lbs 10 oz (4.5 Kilos)

 

This locomotive is available in a wide variety of liveries as shown below: 

 

 

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These 1:29 scale models date back to around 2008 and are said to be largely based on an ALCO Switcher built in 1910. I have never had the opportunity to inspect or run the locomotive but the general consensus is that they are an accurate replica and well engineered. The extent to which the design has been upgraded over the years is hard to determine. 

 

Unlike many model trains these locomotives are constructed from die-cast metal (not plastic) and , therefore, rather heavy at 10lbs 10ozs! As such they are powerful engineered fabrications rather than plastic model trains. Some owners have mentioned that the motor can be noisy but the pulling power is probably worth the slight annoyance. It may not be for everyone at over US$700 each but possibly worth a look if you plan to model mainline American industrial scenes,

  MTH Railking Gauge 1  0-6-0  Steam Locomotives  

Whilst on the subject of die-cast locomotives I thought I would check back with MTH to see whether their 0 Gauge 0-6-0T Switcher was ever reproduced in G Gauge but it would appear not and it may be academic now as MTH are closing down in the next few months unless a white knight comes to the rescue. In which case I shall turn my attention to the more upmarket offerings from Accucraft who trade under a number of subsidiaries such as American Mainline, Aster Hobby and AMS.

  Accucraft Gauge 1 & Narrow Gauge Steam Locomotives  

But how can I obtain an 0-6-0 steam Locomotive based on a British prototype I hear you ask. Well this is where companies like Aristo-craft come to the fore. In the gauge 1 (1:32 Scale) category there are at least two such models in production but they are invariably limited runs so if you see a particular model you would like put your order in a.s.a.p. as you may find yourself on a long waiting list.

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The first two examples in the Gauge 1 (1:32 scale) category I would draw your attention to are the 'Victory' Kerr Stuart 0-6-0T, Live Steam engine and 

Another impressive British outline 0-6-0T regrettably on the Accucraft "Discontinued" list is "The Countess", one of two tank locomotives built by Beyer-Peacock in 1903 for the then newly constructed 2'6" narrow gauge Welshpool & Llanfair Railway - the other being "The Earl" (both of which are still in operation as a heritage line to this day thanks to the preservation efforts of its members and volunteers.)

Accucraft WL-Countess-Photo-1-623x390.jp

It is available in either GWR Green or BR Black. Name and number plates are provided for both the Earl and Countess. The engine is re-gaugeable from 32mm to 45mm by the customer.

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Specifications:

  • Scale: 16mm to 1 foot (1:19 scale)

  • Gauge: 45mm or 32mm

  • Length: 323 mm

  • Width: 106 mm

  • Height: 168 mm

  • Power: 0-24V DC

  • Minimum Radius: 760mm (2 feet 6 inches)

 

Colours available, subject to production batch:

E19-3 GWR Green
E19-4 BR Black

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Here is a photo I took of "The Countess" taking on water on an open day on the 1st September 2013:

The Countess (W&LR).JPG

Accucraft Decauville   0-6-0T Steam Locomotives (Live Steam)  1:19 Scale  

One Accucraft model that still seems to be in production is this distinctive narrow gauge Decauville 0-6-0T (1:19 scale) available 32mm and 45mm gauge. Locomotives of this "industrial" type played a prominent role in moving supplies and armaments around the battlefields of World War 1.

Accucraft AL87-212-Decauville-0-6-0T-1.j

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Specifications:

  • Scale: 1:19 Scale

  • Gauge: Either 32mm or 45mm Gauge

  • Minimum Radius: 0.6m (24 in.)

  • Power: Live Steam

  • Length: 226mm (over couplings)

  • Width: 90mm

  • Height: 134mm

  • Boiler: Centre Flue

  • Working Pressure: 60psi

  • Weight: NA

  • Reversing Gear: by lever in the cab

  • Valve Gear: Walschaerts valve gear

  • Cylinders:  Slide valve

  • Fuel: Butane Gas

  • Boiler Fittings: Safety valve, pressure gauge, water gauge

  • Cab Controls: Steam regulator, gas regulator, reverse lever, displacement lubricator

 

Versions available:

AL87-212A Decauville 0-6-0T Live Steam, 45 mm Gauge
AL87-212B Decauville 0-6-0T Live Steam, 32 mm Gauge

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Accucraft 0-6-0T  Baldwin "Mabel"  1:20.3  45mm Gauge   

Accucraft US have also recently announce their next freelance narrow gauge steam locomotive in 1:20.3 scale, 45mm gauge. The 0-6-0T model , named "Mabel", is based on a 3ft gauge Baldwin style locomotive and will be available in both kit form and ready to run. It should be available in the fourth quarter of 2021 so probably not in time for some lucky recipients' Christmas presents?

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There are no photos yet as the project is still very much at the concept stage but this excellent drawing by the esteemed  Marc Horovitz should give you a pretty good idea as to how it will look. 

Accucraft Baldwin Mable 1;20.3 Scale Liv

Aster  Red "London Transport" Class 5700 Pannier Tank Loco L90 Live Steam Boxed  Gauge 1   

Aster Class 5700 Pannier Tank London Tra

Another Aster Hobby locomotive to catch my interest recently is this Class 5700 0-6-0 Pannier Tank Locomotive in red London Transport livery sold by The Station Masters Rooms. This model was professionally  built from a brass and metal construction kit and appears to be Serial No. 126 from a limited edition of 200. It is, by all accounts, a superb collectors live steam which has no doubt been acquired by an avid collector. This particular dealer always seems to have interesting items for sale (including the GWR 5700 Pannier Tank Engine which I must confess just happens to be my favourite British Outline Steam Locomotive (that is apart from the LB&SCR A1X Stroudley Terrier affectionately known as "Hayling Billy" but that is another story from my youth) so if you have a yen for steam I suggest you keep an weather eye on their website.

Brief Technical Details (no idea what this all means):

  • Scale/Gauge: 1/32, No. 1 gauge (45mm)

  • Total weight: 2.7 kg

  • Dimensions, Length: O.B. 308 mm, Width: 82 mm, Height: 127 mm.

  • Wheel Arrangement: 0-6-0, Driving wheels: Dia. 44 mm made of stainless steel.

  • Engine Cylinders: 2 cylinders with a drain valve

  • Bore 10 mm x Stroke 20 mm

  • Steam port 1.5 mm, Lap 1.2 mm, Travel 5.4 mm.

  • Valve gear: Slip Eccentrics.

  • Boiler Type: Type "C" with 1 large fire tube + 4 small fire tubes

  • Water capacity: 165 cc at 80% full

  • Pressure: 2 kg/cm at normal working

  • Fittings: Safety valve, Pressure gauge

  • Water gauge

  • Regulator

  • Blower valve

  • Check valve for feed water pump

  • Lubricator: Roscoe displacement type

  • Fuel: Methylated alcohol. Fuel tank capacity: 75 cc.

  • Minimum radius: 1.5 meter

  • Measures 308mm (L) x129mm (H) x82mm (W).

  • Full of realistic & superb detailing including its cab works detail with pressure Gauge.

Class 5700 Green.jpeg

I also came across another rather delightful 0-6-0 Steam Locomotive from Aster Hobby (a Limited Edition) which might be a suitable investment for those contemplating a European layout. This is the live steam  SBB E3/3 Tiger (Tigerli) which has appeared in kit form in up to four colour schemes but in very limited quantities. Brief details together with a link to the catalogue can be found by clicking this button link:

For those of us who can only but dream of owning such a masterpiece I have added a video link of this beautiful machine in (static) motion:

Well this one really is in motion around the track:

Bachmann 0-6-0 Steam Locomotive  

As far as I am aware the only 0-6-0 steam locomotive to feature prominently in Bachmann's Large Scale motive power line is the popular "Thomas the Tank" engine which usually appears in blue livery but sometimes special festive editions are released for the Christmas market.

91401 thomas the tank (12).JPG

Given the scarcity of large scale models available based on British outline locomotives you might expect this versatile 0-6-0 model to form the basis of numerous self-build projects but I have not seen much evidence of this in practice.

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Thomas is thought to be based on a London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) Class E2 0-6-0T, as built with extended side-tanks. These engines were built between 1913-1916 to replace the ageing Stroudley LB&SCR E1 class and were primarily used for for shunting and short distance freight trains. During their final working years, the E2 class worked as shunting engines at Southampton Docks.

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LBSCR_E2_Class.png

The Bachmann Thomas has several major differences from the original E2 class. He is much shorter in length than the real-life version, features two additional side "slit" windows on the cab, the coal bunker is slightly longer and he has attractive arched wheel splashers over the front driving wheels (Information thanks to Fandom).

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It has also been suggested that a conversion to a Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (L&YR) Class 28 ( the original inspiration for "James" apparently) might also be a suitable candidate but I am sure there are other and possibly more attractive, transformation possibilities out there somewhere.

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As it is this locomotive is a solid, robust engine and whilst lacking the sophistication of some of Bachmann's other offerings has a list of features that suggest it would be a solid base for transmogrification (that's a word I never thought I would have occasion to use in this manual)!

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Technical specification for the latest "THOMAS" version (DCC Sound-Equipped) - Item 91421:

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  • DCC-Sound Equipped

  • Dual-mode decoder allowing for DCC Digital or Analogue DC operation

  • Whistle, chuff and cylinder blow-down sound effects

  • DCC and/or manual volume control with on/off switch

  • DC-mode polarity switch for operation according to NMRA or Large Scale model railroad practices

  • Additional character sound suites available including Thomas. Percy, James, Edward, Henry, Gordon, Emily, Spencer and Toby through DCC CV selection only. Whistle or bell sounds as per prototype.

REGNER 0-6-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

Another relatively small company called Regner based in Switzerland have also produced at least three 1:22.5 scale 0-6-0 wheelbase steam locomotives in around 2010 -2012 (possibly named Emma, Betty and Vincent) but information is particularly hard to find. Their website gives little away and what there is only appears to be published in German and the text is often indecipherable. I am assuming that they are still in production so you might come across examples of their work. If you do please let me know.

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From what I can establish is that this firm has a reputation for manufacturing what might be determined as "eccentric" and quite unusual off-beat locomotives not necessarily based on any prototype, but very appealing to the eye. These came either in the form of kits(I think you needed to be something of an expert to assemble these) or ready-to-run versions. Here are just a few examples of what I mean: 

MORE INTERESTING REFERENCE MATERIAL FOR 0-6-0 STEAM LOCOMOTIVES 

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Features: 

  • Detailed 2-6-0 steam locomotive with working lights and smoke

  • Powerful 7-pole Bühler precision can-type ball-bearing motor

  • Numerous moulded-on and separately applied details including lights, brake cylinders, bumpers, smoke stack, tanks, piping, handrails, and more

  • A working 5-volt smoke unit

  • Operating white directional lighting with switchable chassis lighting

  • Detailed interior with engineer figure

  • Digital DCC decoder and sound ready (Use a PIKO #36222 sound kit in conjunction with PIKO loco decoder #36122).       

    • NOTE:  Locomotive will run on Analogue DC, but the sound functions ONLY on Digital DCC.  There is no sound when using Analogue DC power.

  • Heavy duty, durable stainless steel drive wheel tyres

  • Carbon brush pickups

  • Injection-moulded driver centres

  • Hook and loop type couplers (LGB Style)

  • Crisp and clean lettering and logo designs

  • Created with incredibly tough weather-resistant materials

  • Minimum recommended radius: 600mm / 23.6”

  • Length: 677 mm / 26.7”

  • Made in Germany

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This looks to be a really superb model and although I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing one in the flesh feel sure that it will appeal to many German large-scale modellers (who will certainly need deep pockets as it retails at circa  € 1200.)

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SUMMARY          

I have no doubt that I have left out numerous examples of 0-6-0 wheelbase steam locomotives in this module such as this colourful Lionel 0-6-0 D&RGW locomotive or an equally striking Marklin Maxi Gauge 1 "Jim" but lack of space precludes me from including all the six-coupled engines which have found their way onto the marketplace. 

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