I'm getting a bit slow in my old age...but I keep hearing about swapping a USRA short tender for the stock Bachmann 4-6-0 tender. Where can I find one of those to purchase? Who makes it, and can someone give me a part # for ordering purposes? Thanks, Jeff C
Bachmann makes them. You can buy one from MTS for about $15 or bid on one at the auction site where they usually go for less than $10. You will need to de-solder the decoder and re-solder it into the short range tender board. Take careful note of which wire goes where since Bachmann did not color code the wires. Have fun, Mark
Ditto on Bachmann and is some scale feet shorter than the medium tender that comes with the 4-6-0. Just about anyone who carries the Bmann line and stocks the tenders which are available separately should have it. However that stated the tender that comes with the 4-6-0 is not necessarily wrong if the locomotive is in use for longer distance passenger and freight runs. Many roads changed out tenders for larger versions from retired and scrapped older locomotives to speed up running time by reducing water and fuel stops. Locos that were used on shorter runs were left with the smaller tenders as the additional fuel and water was not needed. Water was the biggest need since a lot of steam would go through 2 or 3 tanks of water to one bunk of fuel. Jeff C[/QUOTE]
In case Bachmann is reading. Since both tenders are approriate, I'm sure a small tender 4-6-0 would sell. Maybe theu will do one. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
When I purchased one of these when they were initially released, I did so with the understanding that the dealer would replace the tender with a short USRA tender from Bachmann. I was not running dcc then, so the resulting locomotive was dc only. The short tender improves the overall look. In May 2014, I had a dcc decoder installed. There was considerable discussion about this locomotive on two issues: 1. the pilot wheel set was a problem. The dealer tweaked the one on my locomotive. 2. the tender did not seem correct for a 4-6-0.
I maybe wrong on this but somehow I seem to recall that the 2-6-0 came with a short tender. EDIT: Just checked mine and yes the 2-6-0 does have the short tender. The 4-6-0 and the 2-8-0 hasve the medium tender.
I searched my e-mails and found in April 2011 that I was exchanging information with the person at the shop where I purchased my first 4-6-0 and had the tender replaced. A second run of these locomotives was being released at that time in April 2011. Perhaps those earlier discussions I was following were on another forum. My discussion with the person was off-line from any forum.
Now that this situation is back in discussion, I must say that I'm still mad at Bachmann. We shouldn't have to rationalize stories about why the tender is more suitable for a superpower loco than for a humble ten wheeler. Sure, undoubtedly there were cases where a 4-6-0 ended up with a huge tender. But it wasn't normal. It isn't true to the "classic" ten wheeler that we've seen pictures of hauling a short freight or mixed train on a branch line. Now you would assume that Bachmann would have knowledgeable, professional staff to plan and oversee the creation of the 4-6-0---but no knowledgeable, professional staff would have ever permitted this monstrosity. So how in the world did this HAPPEN? I waited years for a ten wheeler, and I can't think of a more disappointing outcome. And hardly anyone complained, no, they just rationalized. Bachmann should be grateful. They SHOULD have been raked over the coals. Sorry if I'm a killjoy, but it's the plain truth. And you all should have complained. You should have forced Bachmann to make a second run with the right kind of tender.
Supposedly the Bachmann model of the 4-6-0 is based on a Maryland & Pennsylvania prototype. If so then neither the short nor the medium USRA tender is appropriate as these locomotives (#'s 27 & 28)were built in 1910 before the USRA came to be. The photo these two engines show them with the older style of low sided short tenders typically seen on oldtime wood burning 4-4-0's except the 4-6-0's were coal fired. Here are pics of Ma & Pa engines #27 & 28: http://www.maparailroadhist.org/locos/loco27.htm http://www.maparailroadhist.org/locos/loco28.htm That being said, I would agree that the shorter USRA tender would look more appropriate.
I just received a USRA short tender in the mail, so I'll be converting my 4-6-0 in the next few days. I'll post a picture when I get it done. I also bought a Bachmann 2-6-0. It is pretty nice with an appropriate looking tender! When it comes to N scale, what is, is...and wishing won't make it otherwise, so converting and modifying equipment is an essential skill we have to develop. Jeff C
Guys...... On LOTUS rails I buy and play with/collect/run as many of the steamers as I can afford. One company seems truly interested in releasing steamer after steamer. Just one! Be nice to Bachmann, they are the only company doing such a wide breadth of steam. Other companies do quite well on thier specialty runs and even those spark "debate". Bachmann runs the gamut. If they release something you like, buy it. If there is something you want, keep posting on the bachmann forum. They actually hinted on another steam release for July... Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Does anyone know what exactly what is required to swap a DCC ready short tender in place of the longer tender, and still retain the DCC function? Thanks.
