Bachmann N gauge Emily - “Stirling Single”

[msr]

Emily is starting to appear in the UK and is a lovely loco.



@Rudititanic produced a very nice 3D print a couple of years ago ...


...but the new Bachmann offering seems to have great potential for those not so skilled at modelling. As for running quality, the new Bachmann is very good. I have a slight reservation in that at very slow speeds there is a sight hesitancy in the motion. I suspect this is due to the ingenious use of a 2-4-2 chassis (not a 4-2-2) in order to provide good hauling power but the huge discrepancy in size between the large driver and the small bogie wheel in front with which it is paired may be the cause. I did look for signs of debris caught in the gearing but nothing was apparent. However, at moderate to high speeds the loco runs extremely well and seems to have good haulage capacity. The trailing wheel is neither geared nor electrically connected, nor is the front ponie (the front bogie is an illusion).


Taking the body off reveals the mechanism, with the motor in the loco (the tender is an unpowered dummy and has no electrical pickups).



The PCB is a neat little design held in place by a single screw. It would appear to be a simple task to convert this to DCC by wiring to the current solder tabs, but the available space is tiny. However, the cab sits on top and may provide useful additional space with a little modification of the bulkhead, which is made of plastic.

I have replaced the Emily face with an N Brass Locos alternative (I used the GCR ROD 2-8-0 smokebox door which seems a good fit) and have toned down the more garish paintwork. Photos will appear in a little while once the paint has dried.

Bachmann has also released 6-wheel coaches. These have a flangeless centre pair of wheels but the inclusion of white wheel trim gives a good optical illusion.

[NeMo]

Looks lovely!

A 'Midland Spinner' has been on my wish list since forever. Maybe Bachmann will see the potential here and produce something along those lines. Certainly, pre-grouping feels like virgin territory for any manufacturer who can put together a compelling mix of locomotives, coaches, and wagons.

Cheers, NeMo

[msr]

As promised, here are the photos following a repaint with the brown darkened using LBSC Drummond purple brown, glossy black turned to matt along with the cab interior and tender coal rails and various minor areas touched up to make the appearance more realistic, and 'real' coal added to the tender.

[Bealman]

Good job - it looks great!

[msr]

I wonder if the slight jerkiness is because the smaller driver has a brass gear whereas the larger has nylon gears.

I thought one was not supposed to mix these within a single gear train so I've swapped the brass for a nylon 16-tooth gear. I've secured it with a spot of super glue (is this correct?) and will try running it tomorrow once the glue has cured.

[Roy L S]

I wonder if the slight jerkiness is because the smaller driver has a brass gear whereas the larger has nylon gears.

I thought one was not supposed to mix these within a single gear train so I've swapped the brass for a nylon 16-tooth gear. I've secured it with a spot of super glue (is this correct?) and will try running it tomorrow once the glue has cured.

I don't think that mixing gears of a different material is necessarily a huge issue, but it will depend on what materials are used and what type of gear. For example, I understand the 2mm Association drop in wheelsets for N Gauge diesels have a metal gear, and I am unaware of any issues arising from mixing them with nylon gears in the rest of the gear-towers.

Conversely (and ironically) wear between gears of the same material can be an issue, e.g. the brass worm and drive-gear of early Farish steam locos using the integral chassis/motor design would often see wear. I had a Duchess where over time the worm wore away to the extent that there was a rounded "gap" where it used to mesh with the drive-gear, and would no longer engage. I also had a very early Class 20 diesel where the brass gears in the tower were slightly tight and wore away, leaving little filings as they did so, it was regularly and properly lubricated but poor tolerances resulted in the issue.

Roy

[GlenEglise]

Emily is starting to appear in the UK and is a lovely loco.

Are these 1:160 or 1:148?

I have Thomas and am sure the series is 1:160

GE

[msr]

To my eyes Emily appears approx 1:148. She is larger than the Bachmann Thomas and is broadly the same size as my scratchbuilt Spinner featured several years ago on this Forum.

As for the gears, substituting a nylon gear for the brass one made no difference. However, be aware that the pickups are very fragile and easily bent. Also, the brass seating disks must be properly located in the frame, which is quite a fiddle to get right!

[emjaybee]

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on whether the chassis could be adaptable & made to fit the Midland Spinner that Del Prado (?) did?

[zwilnik]

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on whether the chassis could be adaptable & made to fit the Midland Spinner that Del Prado (?) did?

That one was 1:160 though wasn't it? So my guess would be it might be too small to fit over the chassis.