Spectrum 2-8-0 Improvements

M

MalTiempo280

Registered
Evening All,

I've just started modelling in G Scale, with my first purchase being the Spectrum O/F 2-8-0. No doubting its a cracking model but there are a number of things which I would like to modify, so was just wondering whether anyone had any suggestions as to how to go about modifying it, or specific parts that might suit my requirements:

1. The front coupling is pretty horrendous, can anyone recommend a good replacement that will sit at the same height as the spectrum 1:20.3 rolling stock?

2. Does anyone make a kit to extend the smokebox?

3. I'd like to mount the headlight on top of the smoke box, rather than on the smoke box door. Do any manufactures make replacement smokebox doors/headlight mounts?

I'm also planning on converting the loco to DCC with Sound, can anyone recommend a suitable sound chip and speaker combination?

All comments and suggestions will be gratefully received. I've been modelling in O gauge and smaller for the last 30 years, so this scale of modelling is certainly a breath of fresh air when it comes to the sheer level of detail that can be achieved.

Cheers,

Stephen
 
Welcome to the circus. Looking forward to the results, but it sounds as though your going to have fun ???
 
Welcome Stephen. Ah, the Bachmann Connie, a much bashed subject. Kadee do a conversion kit for the front coupler. Check their website. The head lamp mod is a fairly simple one to do, not seen a kit. Take a look at David Fletcher's website http://4largescale.com/fletch/index.htm for some pretty amazing conversions.
Max
 
Thanks for the replies so far - Kadee couplers look perfect so they will be on order by the end of the week. Max, do you have a website address for David's work, can't seem to find anything in google.

Cheers,

Stephen
 
I`ve just added a link to my original post Stephen. I`ll post a picture of my bash, I have repositioned the head lamp and added a step and handrail since the photo was taken.
WW railroad 1 005.jpgWW railroad 1 003.jpg
Max.
 
Welcome Stephen from another of the same name. You've chosen a relatively well trodden path with the Connie, and there are many users all over the world. As it has been around for some time there are also some well known issues with the loco, which are discussed here http://www.elmassian.com/trains/motive-power-mods-aamp-tips/bachmann-motive-power/connie-2-8-0 amongst other places. Greg's a bit of a curmudgeon (like me) but he does have a lot of knowledge. However, don't let his sometime ascerbic comments dishearten you - while he rarely has a good word to say for any commercial product, he would describe that as attempting to improve the breed (and in substance he is correct). OTH, many people have operated the Connie for years with great satisfaction and no problems whatsoever. I don't personally have one (I do have a number of other Bachmann products with which I am very satisfied) so I can't comment on that. If you do have a problem, somebody on this forum will have a solution for you!

Steve
 
Thanks for the replied Max & Steve.

Max - great photos, like what you have done to the Connie, are they AMS box cars you are running it with?

Steve - great link full of valuable information, seems Greg also shares my interest in cigars as well - but I'm not going to get side tracked by that part of the website!

Cheers,

Stephen
 
It seems that the Kadee coupler is the one you are going for but worth bearing in mind that Bachmann also do a couple of packs of alternative couplers for several of their locos including 'drop couplers' and extended ones for if you fit a plough.
 
Hi Keith,

Thanks for the heads up - I have indeed gone for the kadee couplers, I'm going for more of a South American/Cuban theme, so no plough required. Although in retrospect with the way the English winters are going these days, one might be required for operational purposes!

Cheers,

Stephen
 
:D :D :D
 
MalTiempo280 said:
Max - are they AMS box cars you are running it with?
Click to expand...
Yes they are. I also run Bachmann's own Spectrum cars with it too. The coupling heights are all the same. The Kadee pack should come with a coupler for the tender too. I have a bashed Aristo' 20ft gondola that I use a match wagon for disparate couplings, fixes a lot of problems. The loco also has an optional snow plow (Bachmann accessory from K-27) that is a quick replacement fit for the "switcher" pilot.
Max.
 
Hi Stephen,

I don't have much experience with steam locos as we're modelling the diesel era in the US but for DCC and sound I can offer a few suggestions.

I must admit that sounds wise, my personal favourite has to be Phoneix Sound boards by a long way. They are great boards, very realistic and really versatile, especially if you use their computer interface cable (which I would also really recommend). The only down side is the added cost as they are sound only boards and would still need a regular motor decoder alongside. It is a more expensive option without doubt but I cannot recommend them enough.

In terms of combined sound decoders I would suggest a look at Zimo boards. They seem to be really good these days and pack in a lot of features such as synchronised smoke control, servo outputs and a few other nice additions. Massoth also make great DCC sound boards but their sound files are often too European with a limited selection of US sound sets. A lot of folk really like QSI sound chips and they seem to offer good value too although I don't have any personal experience with these.

For 1:20.3 detail parts I would start with Ozark Miniatures. They produce a good selection of white metal detail parts and you might find something in there that is suitable for your needs.

Hope this helps? G
 
Hi Stephen, and welcome.

Ah yes, the Connie. A wonderful loco, the outside vale gear is stunning work by Bachmann - it's just a shame that they didn't produce this loco with metal gears - so if you plan to do a lot of modifications to the body, don't haul too heavy-a train, or you'll suffer from Connie-syndrome.

The gears will fail.

Bachmann do a replacement, and there is a very good link that someone (whoever it is I have forgottten, but more power to his elbow) posted here on how to carry out the work. I haven't tried it myself yet, although I have two Connies that have suffered gear failure.

Here's the link to gear replacement :

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jcoplan48/sets/72157631149396864/

And here's my modified Connie that has happily NOT suffered gear failuer (yet). Sadly not my work, a very good Ebay buy (yes there are some around :) )

Conso3.jpg
 
maxi-model said:
Yes they are. I also run Bachmann's own Spectrum cars with it too. The coupling heights are all the same. The Kadee pack should come with a coupler for the tender too. I have a bashed Aristo' 20ft gondola that I use a match wagon for disparate couplings, fixes a lot of problems. The loco also has an optional snow plow (Bachmann accessory from K-27) that is a quick replacement fit for the "switcher" pilot.
Max.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Max, I've got a few of the Spectrum box cars already and am extremely impressed by them, was contemplating purchasing a few more or maybe going for a few AMS versions - in your opinion is there a superior model out of the two?

Cheers,

Stephen
 
supagav said:
Hi Stephen,

In terms of combined sound decoders I would suggest a look at Zimo boards. They seem to be really good these days and pack in a lot of features such as synchronised smoke control, servo outputs and a few other nice additions. Massoth also make great DCC sound boards but their sound files are often too European with a limited selection of US sound sets. A lot of folk really like QSI sound chips and they seem to offer good value too although I don't have any personal experience with these.

For 1:20.3 detail parts I would start with Ozark Miniatures. They produce a good selection of white metal detail parts and you might find something in there that is suitable for your needs.

Hope this helps? G
Click to expand...

Morning Gav,

Thanks for the information, all very good food for thought and will be sure to have a look at the decoders/sound chips you have mentioned.

Cheers,

Stephen
 
Don Gilham said:
And here's my modified Connie that has happily NOT suffered gear failuer (yet). Sadly not my work, a very good Ebay buy (yes there are some around :) )

Conso3.jpg
Click to expand...

Morning Don,

Thanks for the reply and posting the photo of your stunning connie. That is ideally how I'd like mine to turn out with the smoke box extension which just beefs the loco up a bit. Do you know what they have made the extension out of by any chance?

I've read a fair bit about the gear problems, and I'm half tempted to nip it in the bud and just go and replace the gears straight away to save potential problems in the future. Although I don't have a permanent railway yet, I'd ideally like to have decent sized trains of maybe six to eight box cars, and potentially have some moderate grades, so I'm thinking this could put the current gear mech to the test.

Cheers,

Stephen
 
Hi Stephen

Sorry I'm not sure how it was done or what was used.

You should have no problem with 6/8 boxcars, but heavy trains are the ones to steer clear of. It depends if you want to weight your stock to the NMRA sndard (I don't bother).
 
[quote author=MalTiempo280 link=topic=298797.msg315038#msg315038 date=1399802793]
I`ve got a few of the Spectrum box cars already and am extremely impressed by them, was contemplating purchasing a few more or maybe going for a few AMS versions - in your opinion is there a superior model out of the two?[/quote]
Both makes are good and have few overlaps in their ranges - Bachmann do the long caboose, AMS do the short, Bachmann do framed and frameless tank cars, AMS do flat car mounted ones, etc`. AMS do a much wider range, various gon`s, J&S coaches, stock cars and some quite tasty specialist MOW cars. Some can be hard to find now and some are expensive. A lot of both makes though were sold off in "close out" sales by dealers here, stateside and by AMS themselves, so you might still find a few bargain offers. Bachmann cars are finished in a satin verging on gloss finish, AMS are uniformly a flat finish. Couplers are a little more prototypical on the AMS cars, if still oversize.

If you have problems with the primary drive gear then a company called North West Short Lines  (Google it)do one off the peg. I think Bachmann`s own, with the axle, is now unobtainable. Don`t be phased about the replacement instructions it`s all quite straightforward, just watch out for the little springs and plungers springing out when you lift the wheels/axles out.
Max
Connie 001.JPG
Couldn`t resist, it`s my first bash. Complete with plow and re-positioned headlight.

P.S. Smokebox extension could be done with some waste plastic pipe. Its size could be increased, if needed, by adding additional layers of the same pipe, slitted open or with thin layers of plasticard bonded on, until it matches the desired size. The gap, in the slitted layers, hidden on the underside, would be best filled filled with Isopon P38. 
 
Ive not long picked up a Connie on Ebay as well, mine came with a phoenix sound system in already and it sounded superb, unfortunately at the moment the said sound unit is winging its way back to phoenix for rectification as one of the kids dropped the tender and about an hour later the sound system stopped working full stop. I have also just replaced the problematic original main drive gear with a complete new axle supplied with a brass gear by Bachmann for just over £18 including shipping.

Even before that i was running between 8 and 11 cars behind the loco without a problem even on the steep grades in my garden, there is a video on youtube called " A quick tour of the Wisteria and Cherry Tree" and while that was being filmed there were 9 behind the loco and thats on a standard 1amp LGB controller.
 
Daniel did you find the replacement easy, or was it a bag of nails ? (I have bought the replacement axle from Bachmann)

I am hesitant to "delve" ! ::)
 
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