B&O Q4b and E27 bashes

WM183 Apr 21, 2019

  1. WM183

    WM183 TrainBoard Member

    601
    597
    17
    Hello all!

    Though I have been dabbling in HO scale I've not forgotten N. Far from, in fact! I now find myself wanting to do a pair of B&O steam bashes in N! Two of the B&Os most common and long lived types were the E27 consolidation and the q4 Mikado. Now, the latter is a relatively straightforward bash of a kato heavy Mike, though the tender will be a problem; no really "good" B&o Vanderbilt tender exists. The Connie is harder; the spectrum 2-8-0 is a bit too small for the E27 i believe. Oddly I think it's pretty close to other B&O types, but those are long gone by modeling period. Any ideas on the E27, and on the tender for the q4? I could just use a model power light 2-8-2 and call it a Q3, and the spectrum 2-8-0 as an e60 but those aren't my favourite types. I'd need to come up with an i5 caboose too...
     
  2. WM183

    WM183 TrainBoard Member

    601
    597
    17
    Hmm. As I examine it, I believe the Spectrum 2-8-0 would work. It's got the right valve gear and general proportions, the boiler is simply not quite broad enough. As the domes and all are wrong, I'd need to scratch a boiler anyway. The tender is "close enough" that I won't lose excessive sleep over it.

    I have a Kato mike. Now I just need to get a spare 2-8-0 and figure out a tender.
     
  3. WM183

    WM183 TrainBoard Member

    601
    597
    17
    N also offers a neat solution to the combine problem I have faced in HO; namely, the lack of the 1300/1400 series combines B&O often used on locals. I believe I can bash one from the Micro Trains NYC paired window coach; what do you guys think?

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  4. brokemoto

    brokemoto TrainBoard Member

    1,685
    748
    45
    The C-C Vanderbilt is based on a B&O prototype. You would have to make it all wheels live, though, to use it with the Kato 2-8-2.

    The B-mann looks most like the B&O E-60, which was a Buffalo and Susquehanna locomotive. B&S had more of them than they really needed, so some of them did get scattered about the B&O before a flood isolated the B&S from the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh (also part of the B&O) in 1943. After that time, B&O had to access B&S via New York Central trackage rights. When B&O finally sold it in 1956 to the corporation that formed the Wellesville, Addisonville and Gsleton, there were six locomotives that conveyed. The WAG lasted until 1979.

    You might have an easier time making a 1400 series from a B-mann shorty coach and combine or from the newer Atlas versions of the same car. You would need the MT six wheel trucks with the off-center hole for the B-manns. The MT 1018, with the centered hole, might work for the Atlas. The baggage door on the Bachpersonn does slide while that on the Atlas does not.


    I do happen to have an extra C-C Vanderbilt somewhere. I will look for it.
     
  5. Maletrain

    Maletrain TrainBoard Member

    734
    340
    18
    A few thoughts:
    1. MTL supposedly has a paired window combine "in the works", but, when, if ever, it will arrive is not known. (Same story as their single-window coach that may come out some day.)
    2. The Kato heavy mike is not a good boiler dimension for the Q-4. The Q-4s were closer to the the USRA light mikes, but still a couple of inches bigger across the smokebox.
    3. The Con-Cor vandy tenders are a little long for the Q-4, but have the correct tank diameter. They are right length and proportions for the S-1a. The Model Power vandy tenders are the right length for the Q-4, but their tanks are about 16" too small in diameter, which gives them a distinctly different "look". the Bachmann long Spectrum vandy tenders are the right tank diameter, but noticeably too long. The short Bachmann vandy tenders that came with some of their 2-6-6-2s are both a tad log and too small in tank diameter for a Q-4.

    I have also been looking at bashing a Co-Cor vandy tender into a Q-4 tender by shortening it, putting on 2 wheel trucks instead of the 6 wheel trucks, and of course, putting on raised coal boards and slope sheet, plus new ladders and grabs. The first problem is how to get them apart. Mine seems to be glued together. Supposedly, the front, coal load (or oil tank top) and tank end are separate pieces, but that doesn't help me if they are glued tight. Unless somebody has a magic solvent that can detach the glue without harming the plastic.
     
  6. WM183

    WM183 TrainBoard Member

    601
    597
    17
    Bah. You're right about the boiler on the Kato mike being too big, and due to the design there's no good way to remedy it. The model power light Mikado has a metal body which isn't kitbash friendly. Sigh. I've got two of the big spectrum Vanderbilt tenders, one of them is on my C&O k3 build. I guess I should stick to C&O and NYC in American n steam. Sadly I had to sell both my 2-6-6-2s, and am quite kicking myself. Anyone have an H4and H5 to sell??
     
  7. brokemoto

    brokemoto TrainBoard Member

    1,685
    748
    45
    Often, the coal doors on the C-C Vanderbilt are not well glued onto the thing. They often pop off if you pull on them. The coal load slides out forward. The weights slide out. Of course, you simply pop out the middle wheelset and unscrew the trucks. That is about as "apart" as the thing will come.

    Those MP Vanderbilts are Harriman Vanderbilts that SP used on 2-8-0/4-6-0 and smaller power. UP may have used them on similar, but, I do not know that much about UP power.

    It is a shame that there is nothing suitable for a Q-4. as those things were real workhorses on the B&O. Most of them had steam lines and signalling devices for passenger work. When they worked passenger trains, it was usually locals. They used to pinch hit for the Pacifics on the Washington and Baltimore commuter trains as well as working the accommodation trains in the Potomac Valley. Eventually, the FPA-2s took over their roles.

    The Q-4s were good drag freight power on tracks where the 2-8-8-0s could not go. The Q-4s and the 2-8-8-0s were the only real drag freight power that B&O had, as most of the Big Sixes were fast freight power. Even some of the Big Sixes had steam lines and signalling devices.
     
  8. WM183

    WM183 TrainBoard Member

    601
    597
    17
    Right! B&O and WM were my first railroad choices, ever since I was little and would see Chessie locos (and some still in original paint) when id visit my grandparents. B&O steam locos were remarkable for working well while being rather "old" designs for the most part. The 2-8-8-0 is one of the longest lived and most successful articulated locos ever, the Big Six, Q4, and E27s were all versatile and dependable home grown types. All being equal I'd model in N, but I just don't know that I can scratch build some of these. I'm not that skilled!
     
  9. SF Chief

    SF Chief TrainBoard Member

    91
    40
    14
    Yeah, I think for B&O, you would have to go for "close enough". Put high headlights on the Spectrum 2-8-0, Kato Mike, and LifeLike 2-8-8-0 along with a Vandy tender on the Mikado and call it a day. At least Bachmann's EM1 is an excellent model right out of the box--if you can find them these days. Rick
     

Share This Page