| Author | Messages | |
David Fletcher
Moderator
Melbourne Australia
Foreman
Posts:132
Send Message
 | | 07/13/2008 12:40 AM |
| Chaps,
Thought you might like to see some size/comparision photos between the three 4-4-0 models that Accucraft brought on in the last 10 years.
To the front is the nom. 1:24 scale model from 1997 or so, which marked Accucraft's entry into largescale brass manufacture. The same 4-4-0s were released in Live steam under the Legend name, as you've seen in this forum. The models were nicely proportioned, but boiler sat a little high for some reason. I also suspect the models were closer to 1:22 scale, rather than 1:24. This particular model came to me in about 100 separate pieces, which I assembled earlier in the year and painted up as Baldwin Black, style 9, similar scheme as used by the Pennsylvania RR between 1869 and 1881, and was used on the 42" gauge Baldwin 4-4-0s here in Auz.
The 2nd engine in the photo is the CP #173. Around 2003, Carolwood Historical Society ordered a limited run of the Walt Disney's Carolwood Pacific #173 4-4-0 in 1:24 scale from Accucraft. (actually 1:24 of the Andrew Stevens Central Pacific #173 which Walt's engine was based on). Only 173 models were made. The same model was going to be released as a Live steam offering, which Michael Campbell at Carolwood had worked toward for sometime. Sadly this wasn't to be, but instead Accucraft chose to model a 1:20.3 narrow gauge 4-4-0, and painted it up as CP #173 to fullfill the Carolwood desires. The current 1:20.3 4-4-0 offerings have come about as a result of the Carolwood effort, and in particular Michael Campbell.
Finally the 3rd model is the recently released 1:20.3 4-4-0 in original Baldwin colours following the Carolwood versions released earlier in the year.
Kinda makes me smile, I like the choice of prototype for the new 20.3 version, but a couple of years ago much was said about the CP #173 being 'too small' in 1:24 scale to be made a successful live steam model in the eyes of the 1:20.3 crowd. Despite that, the 1:24 CP #173 is still phyisically the largest model of the three 4-4-0s because the standard gauge prototype was not a small loco, and even at 1:24 is larger than the narrow gauge 4-4-0 at 20.3!
Enjoy the photos.
David.
 | |
(click here for my web page) | |
| Alan in Adirondacks
1st Class Member
Glens Falls, NY
Foreman
Posts:123
Send Message
| | 07/13/2008 8:32 AM |
| David,
Thank you for the pictures and the history. In addition to Michael Campbell and his great work on the 4-4-0s, I think you deserve a lot of credit for guiding Accucraft.
I can't wait to see mine, but am sure I'll get to see several later this week at the NSS in Sacto.
Best regards,
Alan | |
Alan Redeker
SA #17 | |
| jrobnett
1st Class Member
Socorro, New Mexico
Passenger
Posts:4
Send Message
| | 07/13/2008 2:19 PM |
|
David, your comment about "CP #173 being 'too small' in 1:24 scale to be made a successful live steam model" caught my eye. A question that's been bouncing around in my head for some time is whether it would be possible to make a functional 1:32 scale live steam 4-4-0.
I know a functioning one could be built (HO scale live steam has been done) but that's not the same as functional. I'm becoming convinced that the boiler volume (vary by cube), cyclinder diameter/stroke (by square/linear) etc would rule in 'functioning' but rule out 'functional'.
Without actually having them side by side it's hard for me to envision the operational problems with a 1:32 vs 1:20.3 4-4-0 but from what's been posted folks love the 1:20.3 so far.
Do you have any opinions whether it's plausible from a scaling perspective (not a vendor one, I know they won't).
James Robnett
ps: By functional I'd assume a feed water system with run times in the 20+ minute range with periodic attention to whatever fuel system, ie coal, butane etc. With semi-continuous attention remaining 'under pressure' for 40-60 minutes. I picked those out of a hat but wanted to differentiate from 'can make steam and move'. | | | |
| David Fletcher
Moderator
Melbourne Australia
Foreman
Posts:132
Send Message
| | 07/13/2008 3:02 PM |
| James,
A 1:32 or 1:24 4-4-0 is most certainly possible in live steam, look at the Legend 4-4-0s in 1:24 (same size as the 4-4-0 in the front of the photos above). The issue was that people didn't want a 1:24 4-4-0 due to the scale being 'too small' - they didn't want the engine to be dwarfed by rolling stock or other locomotives. While in reality, the 1:24 CP #173 4-4-0 is around the same size of the current 1:20.3 offering anyway (actually longer).
The Narrow Gauge Baldwin choice however is none the less more versatile and ran on far more roads. Its the best choice of prototype.
David. | |
(click here for my web page) | |
| Charles
1st Class Member
Conductor
Posts:636
Send Message
| | 07/13/2008 7:01 PM |
| I await the INYO.....
http://www.nsrm-friends.org/inyo22.html
Hopefully by then all the "bugs" have been eliminated.
Dave- I believe 4-4-0 on standard gauge was utilized by most of the major railroads. Such as the NYC Empire Express, PRR D16b if one thinks outside the "American" style loco many "modern" 4-4-0 would be of interest for standard gauge. | |
Happy Trails on the Rails
Offering services to enhance your steam locomotive
Charles
SA #614
http://cebednarik.googlepages.com/home | |
| David Fletcher
Moderator
Melbourne Australia
Foreman
Posts:132
Send Message
| | 07/13/2008 8:35 PM |
| Yes indeed Charles, I agree a 1:32 model of any of these would be great. my comment was that the CP #173 Andew Stevens design, originaly intended as the Live steam offering was not as versatile as a prototype as the Narrow Gauge Baldwin they ultimately chose. Even these Narrow gauge ones were not as numerous as their standard gauge counterparts! I believe only around 12 locomotives of that CP designed 4-4-0 were built, 2 of them ran on the V&T.
The Columbus and Dayton of the V&T were both very similar to the CP #173 - Dayton survives today. This would be a pretty cool offering, even in 1:24 as a repaint from the CP #173 model in live steam, but I would still prefer it to be 1:32.
Thanks Charles,
David. | |
(click here for my web page) | |
| turbohvn
1st Class Member
Brakeman
Posts:32
Send Message
| | 07/16/2008 7:28 AM |
| If anyone is interested, I have Accucraft Legends, the original 4-4-0 live steamer, in stock, new in the box. I have both the D&RG and Pacific Coast versions in stock.
Call any evening
Royce
703-799-9643 | | | |
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