Bachmann g scale emily loco
- Thread starter mitchell coe
- Start date
James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
Dear All,
I hadn't quite expected this when I last posted, but surprisingly my own Emily arrived today, from GRS, with an S C Ruffey Wagon for good measure.
So far, it has been on the 2' radius track around the Christmas Tree, but that is it. I was home too late to try it in the garden, plus it was absolutely freezing out there!
The loco is really a an 2-4-2, as it is the second leading 'bogie' wheel that is powered, along with the single driver. The trailing wheel is unpowered. Only the leading axle swivels. It runs well, but on 2' Radius track boy does it squeal!
It is both beautiful and potentially very delicate. The tender rails look very vulnerable, plus the brown dummy frame parts surrounding the front bogie are held on with ridiculously small countersunk screws The rear parts of this next to the 'sngle' wheel are both seperate and one of mine was already hanging off in the box! I screwed it back on, but I am not convinced it will stay there. This will require much more delicate handling than any of the three previous Bachmann TTE locos.
I know little of the dimension of the original, but to me this model looks over tendered. The appendage is nearly as big and bulkier than the loco. However my eight year old daughter said, "Oh wow! It's Emily, I love Emily!" I guess as with James, Bachmann have been faithful to the new CGI version of Thomas in all respects.
It hauled five Playmobil coaches on the LGB 2' radius rails around our Christmas Tree with ease. The ugly large Bachmann D shaped couplings are not necessary, (and mine have already been replaced with genuine LGB ones) although I don't expect it to get on well with 2' radius reverse curves! The tender drawbar is plain metal and has two positions, presumably for small and large radius layouts. In the images below, it is set for large raduis.
I love this loco and look forward to running it on my garden layout at the weekend (weather permitting). It seems to haul well in the limited tests I have given it so far, and had no difficulty with adhesion. There are no dummy lights fitted to this loco, as there are on the other TTE locos, so I need to work out where and how a genuine Bachmann style illuminated headlamp could be fitted.
My loco cost £199 from GRS, plus postage. I understand that all they have done is post these out for the past two days!
The S C Ruffey wagon is a fourth variation on the troublesome truck moulding, complete with yet another differnt face and very fetching decoration. Sadly once you have elected to fit LGB height couplings the box will need butchering if the truck is ever to be put back in the packaging for storage. The lettering is surpriisingly 'sweet' and the chasis a nice shade of orange. No brake van yet, nor an Oil Tank wagon, but I live in hope....
I would appreciate others impressions of the loco and what it will and won't do.
James
I hadn't quite expected this when I last posted, but surprisingly my own Emily arrived today, from GRS, with an S C Ruffey Wagon for good measure.
So far, it has been on the 2' radius track around the Christmas Tree, but that is it. I was home too late to try it in the garden, plus it was absolutely freezing out there!
The loco is really a an 2-4-2, as it is the second leading 'bogie' wheel that is powered, along with the single driver. The trailing wheel is unpowered. Only the leading axle swivels. It runs well, but on 2' Radius track boy does it squeal!
It is both beautiful and potentially very delicate. The tender rails look very vulnerable, plus the brown dummy frame parts surrounding the front bogie are held on with ridiculously small countersunk screws The rear parts of this next to the 'sngle' wheel are both seperate and one of mine was already hanging off in the box! I screwed it back on, but I am not convinced it will stay there. This will require much more delicate handling than any of the three previous Bachmann TTE locos.
I know little of the dimension of the original, but to me this model looks over tendered. The appendage is nearly as big and bulkier than the loco. However my eight year old daughter said, "Oh wow! It's Emily, I love Emily!" I guess as with James, Bachmann have been faithful to the new CGI version of Thomas in all respects.
It hauled five Playmobil coaches on the LGB 2' radius rails around our Christmas Tree with ease. The ugly large Bachmann D shaped couplings are not necessary, (and mine have already been replaced with genuine LGB ones) although I don't expect it to get on well with 2' radius reverse curves! The tender drawbar is plain metal and has two positions, presumably for small and large radius layouts. In the images below, it is set for large raduis.
I love this loco and look forward to running it on my garden layout at the weekend (weather permitting). It seems to haul well in the limited tests I have given it so far, and had no difficulty with adhesion. There are no dummy lights fitted to this loco, as there are on the other TTE locos, so I need to work out where and how a genuine Bachmann style illuminated headlamp could be fitted.
My loco cost £199 from GRS, plus postage. I understand that all they have done is post these out for the past two days!
The S C Ruffey wagon is a fourth variation on the troublesome truck moulding, complete with yet another differnt face and very fetching decoration. Sadly once you have elected to fit LGB height couplings the box will need butchering if the truck is ever to be put back in the packaging for storage. The lettering is surpriisingly 'sweet' and the chasis a nice shade of orange. No brake van yet, nor an Oil Tank wagon, but I live in hope....
I would appreciate others impressions of the loco and what it will and won't do.
James
My son's first G scale loco arrived today, Thanks to Steve at back to bay6 MY 6 day old son is now the very proud owner of an Emily locomotive.
I am green with Envy, I wish I had a loco that is nearly as big as me
I must say he seems underwhelmed by my jesture at the moment.
I am green with Envy, I wish I had a loco that is nearly as big as me
I must say he seems underwhelmed by my jesture at the moment.
New Haven Neil 2
Registered
Regarding the tender - the one in York museum is WRONG, and is much too small. The correct tenders did look rather large in comparison to the loco, these were very small locos with BIG wheels! ....and presumably atrocious coal consumption, but from what I have read, they were absolutely thrashed in use.
edit look at..
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?num=...w=213&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:91
edit look at..
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?num=...w=213&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:91
peterbunce
1880's Colorado Narrow gauge on 45mm track
Hi
Quite right Neil, the replacement tender is being repaired etc at York; here is a short article on a proper one for #1
http://nationalrailwaymuseum.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/a-tale-of-two-tenders/ < Link To http://nationalrailwaymus...-of-two-tenders/
It has a pair of photos that will be useful, though #1 is not the design that is used in 'Emily'
Yours Peter.
Quite right Neil, the replacement tender is being repaired etc at York; here is a short article on a proper one for #1
http://nationalrailwaymuseum.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/a-tale-of-two-tenders/ < Link To http://nationalrailwaymus...-of-two-tenders/
It has a pair of photos that will be useful, though #1 is not the design that is used in 'Emily'
Yours Peter.
KeithT
Hillwalking, chickens and - err - garden railways.
Peter that link didn't work (for me) but perhaps this one will
http://nationalrailwaymuseum.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/a-tale-of-two-tenders/
http://nationalrailwaymuseum.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/a-tale-of-two-tenders/
beavercreek
Travel, Art, Theatre, Music, Photography, Trains
JamesJames Day said:
Look here on US ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/ana.kramer/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3984.m1543.l2654 < Link To http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch...ksid=p3984.m1543.l2654
James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
Finally, work and weather were kind to me, and it was out into the garden with Emily this afternoon. At long last I could see what it would do.
Wow! It runs like a hare and hauls well too. I have a conventional control block system layout, where all the locos run off of of one controller. I have fitted my other TTE locos with diode droppers to make the compatible in speed with my other locoso and the excessive eagerness of Emily will make this necessary here. I am thinking of a twin diode dropper, to start with. That was enough for James and Thomas.
It has good traction too. It managed five of the Bachmann Emily coaches around my layout, which none of the other TTE locos can. I use LGB Radius Three curves, but the balloon loop at each end is made up of LGB Radius two. There is a fairly steep gradient between Apple Tree and Border Stations as well. None of this thered it, although I notice that on a downgrade, in the automatic slow speed sections the loco was being propelled by the coaches, instead of being the means of the train's decelleration!
As a result of these tests, the loco was dismantled tonight and a diode dropper, an LGB Automation Magnet and a small amount of weight was added. Whilst testing, during re-assembly, I found that only three of the four driven wheels were collecting power, nt that this had proved a problem, but it was necessary to drop the keeper plate, to get to the errant pick up, to put this right.
Whilst taking the loco apart I found that some of the small screws that hold on some the detail around the front bogie and cylinders are really not that good a fit and I found it necessary to replace the four that hold the two smaller rear portions of the dummy frame, with longer ones. The dhort frame pieces no longer wobble now.
Be warned - there is a small screw in the base of the chimney that joins the smokebox to the boiler. This needs to be partly undone, enough to get the boiler and cab off. Don't completely undo it, or it could be hard to get back into the hole afterwards!
More testing will follow, but I am already deeply impressed with this beautiful, powerful and characterful loco.
More please Mr Bachmann! Do you do requests? I bet we could all provide you with some ideas!
James
Wow! It runs like a hare and hauls well too. I have a conventional control block system layout, where all the locos run off of of one controller. I have fitted my other TTE locos with diode droppers to make the compatible in speed with my other locoso and the excessive eagerness of Emily will make this necessary here. I am thinking of a twin diode dropper, to start with. That was enough for James and Thomas.
It has good traction too. It managed five of the Bachmann Emily coaches around my layout, which none of the other TTE locos can. I use LGB Radius Three curves, but the balloon loop at each end is made up of LGB Radius two. There is a fairly steep gradient between Apple Tree and Border Stations as well. None of this thered it, although I notice that on a downgrade, in the automatic slow speed sections the loco was being propelled by the coaches, instead of being the means of the train's decelleration!
As a result of these tests, the loco was dismantled tonight and a diode dropper, an LGB Automation Magnet and a small amount of weight was added. Whilst testing, during re-assembly, I found that only three of the four driven wheels were collecting power, nt that this had proved a problem, but it was necessary to drop the keeper plate, to get to the errant pick up, to put this right.
Whilst taking the loco apart I found that some of the small screws that hold on some the detail around the front bogie and cylinders are really not that good a fit and I found it necessary to replace the four that hold the two smaller rear portions of the dummy frame, with longer ones. The dhort frame pieces no longer wobble now.
Be warned - there is a small screw in the base of the chimney that joins the smokebox to the boiler. This needs to be partly undone, enough to get the boiler and cab off. Don't completely undo it, or it could be hard to get back into the hole afterwards!
More testing will follow, but I am already deeply impressed with this beautiful, powerful and characterful loco.
More please Mr Bachmann! Do you do requests? I bet we could all provide you with some ideas!
James
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
James - interesting that you mention that she runs like a hare! Heaven knows why Bachnann created runaway locos!
Your solution sounds interesting. With diodes, can you reverse the loco? I'm severely deficient in electronic skills and would appreciate a guide to how you do it - like where to connect etc.
I find that, when operating at shows, it is difficult to keep going - normal stock has to be withdrawn and replaced with TTE stuff, then the reverse process for "normal" operations. If I could gradually introduce locos (of a reasonably matched speed capability) life would be a lot easier! My lines operate on the block principle too.
Your solution sounds interesting. With diodes, can you reverse the loco? I'm severely deficient in electronic skills and would appreciate a guide to how you do it - like where to connect etc.
I find that, when operating at shows, it is difficult to keep going - normal stock has to be withdrawn and replaced with TTE stuff, then the reverse process for "normal" operations. If I could gradually introduce locos (of a reasonably matched speed capability) life would be a lot easier! My lines operate on the block principle too.
James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
Mick,
I am no electrical genius either, but my understanding is that each diode will reduce the voltage getting to the loco by 0.6 volts, without affecting the current. On Emily I have used two pairs of two diodes wired in series. One pair is reversed in relation to the other and then both pairs are wired in parrallel. The completed dropper unit then replaces one of the wires running to the motor. Is doesn't matter which one.
Thus the loco can run backwards and forwards, but whichever way the loco is run, it still runs at he reduced speed. If you have a flying lead with crock clips at each end, whilst testing you can bypass the unit to see just how much speed you have shaken off.
I have used units with 1, 2 or 3 diodes on different locos, but each unit must effectivly be a mirror, with the same number of diodes arrnaged in series one way AND the other, then wired in parrallel. When testing is complete, I wrap the unit in Duct tape to avoid accidental shorts.
My object was to get the Bachmann TTE loco to match the general speed range of the Playmobil and LGB standard mech locos, which form the majority.
I have tested Emily briefly, but it needs a good run with the stock to prove that I have the right number of diodes. That can't happen today, as the sky if falling - Again!
Best wishes,
James
I am no electrical genius either, but my understanding is that each diode will reduce the voltage getting to the loco by 0.6 volts, without affecting the current. On Emily I have used two pairs of two diodes wired in series. One pair is reversed in relation to the other and then both pairs are wired in parrallel. The completed dropper unit then replaces one of the wires running to the motor. Is doesn't matter which one.
Thus the loco can run backwards and forwards, but whichever way the loco is run, it still runs at he reduced speed. If you have a flying lead with crock clips at each end, whilst testing you can bypass the unit to see just how much speed you have shaken off.
I have used units with 1, 2 or 3 diodes on different locos, but each unit must effectivly be a mirror, with the same number of diodes arrnaged in series one way AND the other, then wired in parrallel. When testing is complete, I wrap the unit in Duct tape to avoid accidental shorts.
My object was to get the Bachmann TTE loco to match the general speed range of the Playmobil and LGB standard mech locos, which form the majority.
I have tested Emily briefly, but it needs a good run with the stock to prove that I have the right number of diodes. That can't happen today, as the sky if falling - Again!
Best wishes,
James
James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
Mick,
I forgot to say. Try it out....
I would suggest that you make up a few diode droppers with different numbers of diodes and then experiment with each loco. I would suggest that one, two and three are probably about right. Most of my locos need two.
Try fitting each loco with a dropper and try alternative different numbers of diodes until you get each of the TTE locos to speed match for your other stock. This will eventually make them all really useful locos!
Good luck,
James
I forgot to say. Try it out....
I would suggest that you make up a few diode droppers with different numbers of diodes and then experiment with each loco. I would suggest that one, two and three are probably about right. Most of my locos need two.
Try fitting each loco with a dropper and try alternative different numbers of diodes until you get each of the TTE locos to speed match for your other stock. This will eventually make them all really useful locos!
Good luck,
James
trammayo
Interested in vintage commercial vehicle, trams, t
Do you mean like this James?
I'll send off for some diodes after the festivities. Thanks for explaining
It will be easy to do because the early TTEs didn't have the NMRA switch fitted so I had to chop the wires to swap them around for the polarity. I used a connector block just in case I needed to swap them back for any reason!
I'll send off for some diodes after the festivities. Thanks for explaining
It will be easy to do because the early TTEs didn't have the NMRA switch fitted so I had to chop the wires to swap them around for the polarity. I used a connector block just in case I needed to swap them back for any reason!
James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
Exactly,
Even with the switch it is easy to unsolder one wire from the output of the switch and insert the dropper in the supply to the motor.
Incidentally, my memory may be playing tricks, but Emily came with the switch pre-set for 'Large Scale', wheras Percy and I am fairly sure James had it set for 'NMRA'. I had to do the same as you with my Thomas, which was bought in February 2008 and was also pre-switch!
James
Even with the switch it is easy to unsolder one wire from the output of the switch and insert the dropper in the supply to the motor.
Incidentally, my memory may be playing tricks, but Emily came with the switch pre-set for 'Large Scale', wheras Percy and I am fairly sure James had it set for 'NMRA'. I had to do the same as you with my Thomas, which was bought in February 2008 and was also pre-switch!
James