Bachmann Cowcatcher Questions

[Commander Zarkon]

Hello! I have a Bachmann Cowcatcher G Scale set, still in the box, and am considering getting more track and setting it up inside (not outside) on a shelf type layout at around 6'high or something similar.
Have also considered setting it up in my art classroom (I teach high school art).

On30 is my main gauge choice, because my greatest interest is in the detail, scenery, etc. and this scale allows for more detail while still fitting in smaller areas. Narrow gauge is also my preferred rail type.
I have no interest in prototype layout building, but instead am interested in fantasy layouts that show a realistic setting that I can design as I wish.
O scale's three-rails drive me nuts.
G Scale would be my main choice: because of the sheer amount of detail, but the space required is what keeps me from making this my chosen scale.

I have a few questions though, for the G-Scale:

1.Has anyone replaced the middle, flangeless wheel, with a flanged one? Maybe purchasing spare ones, or molding/casting a set and replacing?
I know this design is meant to allow for tighter turns, but maybe this is doable if I don't have such tight turns.
~I just realized real engines do use flangeless wheels though, so this may be unnecessary and even not accurate.

2. Anyone modified this locomotive to make it more realistic? I am thinking a repaint, weathering, maybe even turning it into a camelback or adding water tanks on the boiler.

3. What is a good source for track? I have considered laying my own and using wood strips for the beams.

4. Any advice on making this locomotive longer lasting, more reliable? I figure lubing it properly is one thing (It's been in storage for about four years).

I will either remove the animated/moving cows from the including cattle car, or sell it and get one that is just a car. I could just sell the whole set and focus on a better quality engine. Not sure where to go with it.

 

[FatherMcD]

Hello! I have a Bachmann Cowcatcher G Scale set, still in the box, and am considering getting more track and setting it up inside (not outside) on a shelf type layout at around 6'high or something similar.
Have also considered setting it up in my art classroom (I teach high school art).

On30 is my main gauge choice, because my greatest interest is in the detail, scenery, etc. and this scale allows for more detail while still fitting in smaller areas. Narrow gauge is also my preferred rail type.
I have no interest in prototype layout building, but instead am interested in fantasy layouts that show a realistic setting that I can design as I wish.
O scale's three-rails drive me nuts.
G Scale would be my main choice: because of the sheer amount of detail, but the space required is what keeps me from making this my chosen scale.

I have a few questions though, for the G-Scale:

1.Has anyone replaced the middle, flangeless wheel, with a flanged one? Maybe purchasing spare ones, or molding/casting a set and replacing?
I know this design is meant to allow for tighter turns, but maybe this is doable if I don't have such tight turns.
~I just realized real engines do use flangeless wheels though, so this may be unnecessary and even not accurate.

2. Anyone modified this locomotive to make it more realistic? I am thinking a repaint, weathering, maybe even turning it into a camelback or adding water tanks on the boiler.

3. What is a good source for track? I have considered laying my own and using wood strips for the beams.

4. Any advice on making this locomotive longer lasting, more reliable? I figure lubing it properly is one thing (It's been in storage for about four years).

I will either remove the animated/moving cows from the including cattle car, or sell it and get one that is just a car. I could just sell the whole set and focus on a better quality engine. Not sure where to go with it.

#4: Generally speaking, the newer Bachmann 4-6-0s are fairly reliable. First thing to do is identify the "version" of the loco; there are about six. If you have a five or six, you should be in good shape. Try this link: Bachmann Steam Locomotives Post #4. The weakest part of the drive train is the axle gear. They are notorious for splitting, even if they have just been in storage, and getting a replacement can be difficult. The best replacement is from Jerry Yeramian (girotek at rcn dot com) His gears are individually machined from Delrin and are excellent but expensive. I spent $55, including shipping, for two gears about four years ago. You can check with Bachmann Factory Parts or North West Short Line, but their availability varies. Bachmann occasionally puts a complete chassis on sale, making them a good buy for repair or replacement.

 

[maxi-model]

Hello Zarkon and welcome. A lot to unpack there. Could you give a bit more detail about which Bachmann "G Scale" locos you are talking about. Is it from their "Big Hauler", usually the 4-6--0 mentioned above, but also 4-4-0 and 2=6-0, or the "Spectrum" large scale range. The latter are mostly 1:20.3/15mm to 1ft scale and very well detailed, in a wide veriety of wheel configurations. Some think there is too much detail, I don't I own and run quite a few. I have fitted their switcher pilot and snowplough variants derived from their Baldwin K-27 Spectrum range locos to other loco types. Pictures would help, we love picture here. Just a pedantic note "G Scale" is not a fixed Scale, it covers anything from 1:13 to 1:32. It really is just a way of saying it will run fine on LGB's chunky, at 332 thou inch rail height, robust 45mm track system. The mist widely used out there for that reason. Max

 

[Martino]

You mention 0 Scale and three rail. It’s actually termed 0 Gauge, not scale. Also three rail 0 gauge is quite ancient and only applied to some makes. There’s quite a difference between Scale and Gauge. they apply to different measurements.

 

[Flying15]

Welcome to the forum. Amongst my interests are US style short lines which led me to visiting Cuba in the early 2000s to witness there the last place this could be seen in a non preservation sense.
So here are some images of some of my locos that have been weathered. These operate on my Cuban sugar mill inspired layout using Bachmann Aristocraft and other largely off the shelf locos .

 

[Commander Zarkon]

Hello Zarkon and welcome. A lot to unpack there. Could you give a bit more detail about which Bachmann "G Scale" locos you are talking about. Is it from their "Big Hauler", usually the 4-6--0 mentioned above, but also 4-4-0 and 2=6-0, or the "Spectrum" large scale range. The latter are mostly 1:20.3/15mm to 1ft scale and very well detailed, in a wide veriety of wheel configurations. Some think there is too much detail, I don't I own and run quite a few. I have fitted their switcher pilot and snowplough variants derived from their Baldwin K-27 Spectrum range locos to other loco types. Pictures would help, we love picture here. Just a pedantic note "G Scale" is not a fixed Scale, it covers anything from 1:13 to 1:32. It really is just a way of saying it will run fine on LGB's chunky, at 332 thou inch rail height, robust 45mm track system. The mist widely used out there for that reason. Max

Hello and thanks!
I can;t imagine "too much detail"! Detail is where it's at!!!


This is the set I have.

Not sure what actual scale this is in then, but I would like to pair it with 1:24 vehicles.

 

[Commander Zarkon]

You mention 0 Scale and three rail. It’s actually termed 0 Gauge, not scale. Also three rail 0 gauge is quite ancient and only applied to some makes. There’s quite a difference between Scale and Gauge. they apply to different measurements.

Yeah the O gauge I have is three rail, Lionel. Since I detest seeing three tracks, I will use that at eye or just above I level to hide the rails. I have two or three steam engines in that gauge.

I do like On30 though. Narrow gauge is my favorite.

 

[Commander Zarkon]

Welcome to the forum. Amongst my interests are US style short lines which led me to visiting Cuba in the early 2000s to witness there the last place this could be seen in a non preservation sense.
So here are some images of some of my locos that have been weathered. These operate on my Cuban sugar mill inspired layout using Bachmann Aristocraft and other largely off the shelf locos .

View attachment 359101View attachment 359102View attachment 359103View attachment 359104View attachment 359105View attachment 359106

That layout is awesome!

I was born in Cuba, though was 11 months old when my parents brought my brother and I here to escape the commie filth. Never been back and its pretty bad there now.
Would love to go back to a free Cuba and see those trains! I imagine them restored and running again around the island.


Funny enough, my On30 layout (in development stage) is set on a south pacific island---post WW2. All steam. I love the look of the tropical/jungle and the trains.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Hello and thanks!
I can;t imagine "too much detail"! Detail is where it's at!!!


This is the set I have.

Not sure what actual scale this is in then, but I would like to pair it with 1:24 vehicles.

That set is Bachmann's standard Big Hauler range which scales out at 1:22.5 roughly.

The loco is generic, based originally on the 'Tweetsie' Railway (ET&WNC) but as others have said, ideally you need to know which iteration of the loco it is.

Either way, don't change the centre blind (flangeless) drivers - the loco has enough tractive power - electrical continuity can be more of a problem and it's worth investigating how to add tender pick-ups - well worth it.

1:24 road vehicles don't look badly amiss against these trains.

 

[Commander Zarkon]

That set is Bachmann's standard Big Hauler range which scales out at 1:22.5 roughly.

The loco is generic, based originally on the 'Tweetsie' Railway (ET&WNC) but as others have said, ideally you need to know which iteration of the loco it is.

Either way, don't change the centre blind (flangeless) drivers - the loco has enough tractive power - electrical continuity can be more of a problem and it's worth investigating how to add tender pick-ups - well worth it.

1:24 road vehicles don't look badly amiss against these trains.

Yeah I agree it has a generic look. I plan or repainting and weathering it, and am considering adding details like water tanks. Turning it into a camel-back would be neat also.

Thanks for the tender pickup suggestion. I will look into that!

How do I determine the iteration?

 

[Rhinochugger]

Yeah I agree it has a generic look. I plan or repainting and weathering it, and am considering adding details like water tanks. Turning it into a camel-back would be neat also.

Thanks for the tender pickup suggestion. I will look into that!

How do I determine the iteration?

You may have to take the bottom off the chassis, and take a photo of the motor gearbox - then we'll have a guess

 

[FatherMcD]

How do I determine the iteration?

See the end of the link (Bachmann Steam Locomotives) from my post above, #2. I call it version.

 

[Commander Zarkon]

See the end of the link (Bachmann Steam Locomotives) from my post above, #2. I call it version.

Thanks.

I got mine in 2022, so seems like it is a newer version.
Here are two photos. One seems to show the lubrication plug described in the newer models.
Please correct me if I am wrong.

You may have to take the bottom off the chassis, and take a photo of the motor gearbox - then we'll have a guess

Hopefully these pics help.

 

[Commander Zarkon]

I really don't like the plastic look of the thing.
Any advice on removing the body and details so I can paint it?
I am even considering making it a camel-back, which would require some surgery, but I like that stuff. Any advice on that would also be appreciated.

 

[viaEstrecha]

They are satisfying to bash/modify, and not that fiddly to dismantle. This is mine, modified to resemble the export version Baldwin sold to Spain, with a lowered and tweaked cab and 30mm taken out to shorten the tender. I originally did it to a track powered older generation Big Hauler, then later replaced its chassis with a more modern one with metal gear, converting it to battery/RC/soundcard/LED lighting at the same time. I didn't attempt a fancy livery just went with dirty shades of black.

 

[Commander Zarkon]

They are satisfying to bash/modify, and not that fiddly to dismantle. This is mine, modified to resemble the export version Baldwin sold to Spain, with a lowered and tweaked cab and 30mm taken out to shorten the tender. I originally did it to a track powered older generation Big Hauler, then later replaced its chassis with a more modern one with metal gear, converting it to battery/RC/soundcard/LED lighting at the same time. I didn't attempt a fancy livery just went with dirty shades of black.
View attachment 359112

That looks great!

 

[maxi-model]

Hello and thanks!
I can;t imagine "too much detail"! Detail is where it's at!!!


This is the set I have.

Not sure what actual scale this is in then, but I would like to pair it with 1:24 vehicles.

Ah right, got you. "Cow Catcher" is set name not just the pointy pilot bit out front of loco. Bachmann made those as separate items in their "Spectrum" range. Here is a little video of what I'm running. 1st 2 locos are from Bachmann's Spectrum range a Baldwin K-27 & C19, heavy on detail out of the box, the last a "Big Hauler" 4-6-0. The wagons a mix of Bachmann's Spectrum brand and Accucraft's AMS. It's a sort of " prototypical train one saw on the D&RGW narrow guage lines of Colorado and New Mexico, well, I like to think so The last loco is one that is known as an "Annie" version of Bachman's evergreen 4-6-0, you can tell them apart from their metal rods and valvegear. Quite nice, one of my entries to the hobby over 20 years ago. Like to see how you progress. Yes, nothing like a bit of "kit bashing" to individualise and satisfy one creative cravings. All the best, Max

And that Annie on some rollers

 

[Commander Zarkon]

Ah right, got you. "Cow Catcher" is set name not just the pointy pilot bit out front of loco. Bachmann made those as separate items in their "Spectrum" range. Here is a little video of what I'm running. 1st 2 locos are from Bachmann's Spectrum range a Baldwin K-27 & C19, heavy on detail out of the box, the last a "Big Hauler" 4-6-0. The wagons a mix of Bachmann's Spectrum brand and Accucraft's AMS. It's a sort of " prototypical train one saw on the D&RGW narrow guage lines of Colorado and New Mexico, well, I like to think so The last loco is one that is known as an "Annie" version of Bachman's evergreen 4-6-0, you can tell them apart from their metal rods and valvegear. Quite nice, one of my entries to the hobby over 20 years ago. Like to see how you progress. Yes, nothing like a bit of "kit bashing" to individualise and satisfy one creative cravings. All the best, Max

And that Annie on some rollers

Beautiful locomotives!!!

 

[Paul M]

I can;t imagine "too much detail"! Detail is where it's at!

Most G Scale, or garden railway suppliers will go for robustness over detail. Nothing wirse than spending ££££s on a loco, only to find bits falling off and getting lost in shrubbery

 

[maxi-model]

As you mentioned modifying stock and scenery how about these. A mining tub to tender and my old indoor slot car layout, with added cat !