Down scaling Annie

[Flying15]

I wondered if anyone has down scaled the Bachmann Annie ?
At shows with Crib Lane my British Loco Shed layout I’m often asked about scale and gauge etc
As my British models are about 1/24 on G scale 45mm track I can often see confusion in people’s faces!
Anyway I wondered about adopting something closer to gauge 1 for a US version of the layout.
I had over the years acquired a few Aristocraft 1/29 locos (for conversion to UK types) and thought about adding a 4-6-0 by converting a Bachmann Annie to something like 1/29 scale
In my box of bits was a big hauler boiler and an Aristo cab . I also had an Annie chassis as yet unused!
Below is an illustration of the result so far

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Well the Bachmann Big Hauler (the Annie is a variant of this model) is about 1:22.5 so downscaling to 1:24 should not be too tough, as it is also a model of a smaller loco.

Depends on what you want to change it to...

 

[Southwestforests]

Below is an illustration of the result so far

And I'm going to say it is progressing well.
To me the Big Hauler cylinders look a bit small for the bulky boiler, so, the use of an Anniversary chassis with its larger cylinders is fitting.

Ten-wheelers came in all sorts of sizes and proportions from light and thin to powerful and beefy; this looks like it would make nice heavy-duty one with smaller drivers for lugging freight up in the hills.
To that end I'd make sure to replace the Big Hauler boiler's single air pump with a more powerful cross-compound air pump/ compressor.
Or at least add a 2nd single pump.
'cause she's gonna be needing the braking power in them hills.

 

[dunnyrail]

I wondered if anyone has down scaled the Bachmann Annie ?
At shows with Crib Lane my British Loco Shed layout I’m often asked about scale and gauge etc
As my British models are about 1/24 on G scale 45mm track I can often see confusion in people’s faces!
Anyway I wondered about adopting something closer to gauge 1 for a US version of the layout.
I had over the years acquired a few Aristocraft 1/29 locos (for conversion to UK types) and thought about adding a 4-6-0 by converting a Bachmann Annie to something like 1/29 scale
In my box of bits was a big hauler boiler and an Aristo cab . I also had an Annie chassis as yet unused!
Below is an illustration of the result so far
View attachment 292030View attachment 292031

Hardly surprising that you get confused looks at shows when talking scale and gauge. The greater majority of UK Modeller’s understand so many “mm to the foot” as that is what is predominantly used in the smaller scales. Tends to be us G scale guys that talk in term of 1:24 on whatever track gauge. When I was modeling Irish NG I worked in 15mm to the foot scale giving true 3ft Gauge on 45mm track, when explaining that I never had any confusion at Shows where I was demonstrating building Irish stock to those standards.

 

[philg]

How about something like this? You could keep the valve gear for another project.

Phil

 

[Riograndad]

Interesting project,I have never down scaled anything only upscaled so a few questions spring to mind such as how much do you need or want to change? Progress pics so far look good with the new cab etc but with down scaling how much of the loco will still be overscale? Wheels and such would be no problem as just would be bigger so would probably be built for speed and so passenger trains the main consist,what may be the problem in looks alone may be such items as handrails,bell headlight for example and huge rivets around the smokebox that appear under the headlight and behind the stack and are in my thoughts even too large for 1;22(IMO)
It may be the case that this all has been thought of already and I am preaching to the converted as they say but yes it can be done and when completed will be a good looking loco,Watching with interest on this one so keep us posted!!!

 

[Fred2179G]

I would suggest cutting the domes down a bit so they match the cab height? I think they twist off and then you can cut them down from the bottom.

I had over the years acquired a few Aristocraft 1/29 locos (for conversion to UK types)

I bought an Aristo Pacific 4-6-2 and it was a good start for a 1/32nd LNER A1. Never got around to it though.

 

[Flying15]

How about something like this? You could keep the valve gear for another project.

Phil
View attachment 292160

One of my favourite locos in Cuba!
Saw it in 2002 and 2003
As steam is now pretty thin on the ground there I’ve not been back
Fear of disappointment etc

 

[Flying15]

thanks Fred
I ve set about the domes etc
I had planned to use the Aristo Pacific for its mechanism to build a BR Clan but I’m quite happy with it in its US form (at least for now)
I have previously posted material on builds i had undertaken using Aristo and Bachmann parts to produce RHDR locos but these scale out at about 1:8.5 being models of miniature locos e

 

[Flying15]

I’ve taken on board earlier comments
The model has a pair of boiler side pumps.
I’ve not tackled the rivet issue and am rather hoping the Matt paint finish reduces the rather obvious oversized nature of them.
The cylinders have been modified so the valve chests reflect a loco with piston valves rather than slide valves.
This also helps reduce the width of the front end of the loco.
As the loco is essentially freelance as yet I ve made no decisions on numbering or road name!
I’m searching my various scrap boxes for a whistle. I must also modify the bell so it has something added that looks like steam acting drive etc.
There are a few illustrations that hopefully show how the loco compares with a largely unmodified Bachmann Annie. There’s also some with my Aristocraft Pacific which will indicate whether or not the conversion from circa 1/22.5 to 1/29 is successful?

 

[Southwestforests]

That re-scaling has worked out well. Has the right 1900s to 19-teens look to it.