Bachman Spectrum 2-8-0 Consolidation

Spectrum 2-8-0

I take exception to the review of the Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation. Is it UP? Absolutely not! The only UP I see in it is the notched rear edge of the cab roof (but the cab can't be used anyway because it is too short). One could make a fair representation of the UP Consolidations that were modified with Walschaert valve gear and widely-spaced valves (like No. 560 on page 37) by changing the pilot, the front stairs, the stack, the sand box, the firebox, the cab, and of course, the entire tender.

It is not true that when Baldwin built the UP Consolidations, they "started with a basic boiler and frame design and changed it to match the individual customer's needs." These engines were built to the Common Standard or Harriman Standard design. Identical engines were built for UP and SP from designs provided by the Harriman roads, not by Baldwin, and identical engines were built by ALCo. The Harriman Standard engines were similar to engines built in 1902 and 1903 for SP, but with slide valves.

One obvious and unique feature, used by the Harriman roads was the cylinder block as shown on No. 3615 and No. 300, page 37. You will never see that cylinder block anywhere else. You might also investigate how many other roads used the unusual drive-axle spacings of 64", 60", and 64" of UP's 2-8-0s and the 57"-drivered 2-8-2s.

I hope you can do a little better than this in the future.

Ed Miller
Broomfield, Colorado

Q304 - What UP locos can be modeled with the Bachmann Spectrum 2-8-0?

A304 - The short answer is - none! The basic problem is that the model has 62 inch drivers, and the largest UP 2-8-0 drivers were 57 inches. While the 5 inch diameter difference doesn't seem like much, that difference and the driver spacing results in a driver wheelbase that is almost two feet too long. That, in turn, results in a locomotive that is longer, taller, and "fatter" than the typical UP 2-8-0. The model has a simplified version of Baker Valve Gear, which would be correct for four OSL locomotives; however, the cylinder configuration is correct only for locomotives with Walschaert Valve Gear. If a modeler was willing to accept all the dimensional differences, the valve gear hanger and link could be modified to resemble Walschaert gear, which were used on OSL 525-539 and OWR&N 718, 719 and 722. Other modifications to re-size the sand dome and relocate it and the bell would be required, as well as adding number boards and a third window on each side of the cab. Finally, the tender would need to be replaced with a 7,000 or 9,00 gallon cylindrical or a 9,000 gallon rectangular tender to get a locomotive that "resembled" one of the OSL or OWR&N locos.