Brooks, I bought one of these with the thoughts of converting it to Sn3 as a way of obtaining a larger Class B Climax. The only S scale Climax is the out of production etched-brass kit from Backwoods Miniatures. I didn't disassemble it, but these are my observation and thoughts on an S scale conversion of the Bachmann model.
The drive train is similar to a real Climax with a central drive shaft with universals and each wheelset driven by a bevel gear off the shaft. For this reason, it is easiest to use as much of the Bachmann mechanism as possible. The truck bolsters are too narrow for S. It looks like the easiest way to widen them would be to insert spacers between the bolster and the sideframes. I couldn't tell from just looking if the axles are stubs into a center piece holding the bevel gear, or if it is one axle with a sleeve holding the gear. You will probably need longer axles. (For Sn3, the easiest approach would be to file the truck frames narrower and regauge the wheels narrower.) The brakes beams on the trucks are actually too wide for the 0n30 gauge but not wide enough for 0n3, let alone S, so you would need to redo these or just cut them off. You might be able to reuse the shoes if they can be separated from the beams. The cab and tender are too big. The walkways is wider just in front of the cab, but a cab the main walkway width should be OK. I think the cylinders and cranks would look OK in S as they are, which is good news. Headlights, etc. can be changed. Mine did not come with an air compressor. My main issue with using this model is the trucks. They are too big, even for standard gauge. It seems that Climax used the same size trucks on many sizes of locomotives. The Bachmann truck looks very correct for 0 scale, which means that it is too big and the wheelbase is over 5' in S, plus the sideframes are too tall. Some plans I have for a much larger 75 ton Class C Climax have the common 51" wheelbase. The wheels would also be too big for my use, approximately 36" in S. I came to the conclusion that I wouldn't be happy with the trucks and would have to rebuild the whole lower drive train and trucks. However, if you are happy with the regauged 0 scale trucks, I think it could be a believable model, and probably only Climax aficionados would notice the difference, especially running on standard gauge track. This is really the only option, other than scratch-building, for a S scale Climax. I did manage to pick up an unbuilt Backwoods Miniature kit used, so it looks like that will be my first Climax, although I really would like a larger one. I managed to pick up a set of PSC Climax sideframes at some point in the past, but I don't think these are available either. The PSC sideframes and the ones in the kit are the same size and are roughly S scale versions of the Bachmann 0 scale ones. If you need more information on Climax locomotives, the book "The Climax Locomotive" by Thompson, Dunn, and Hauff has some plans, patent drawings and lots of pictures besides a complete production roster (as known). Plans have also appeared in the model railroad press. Brooks, one comment since you use hirail track/wheel standards. The wheels use HO standards, which are actually compatible with S "scale" and Sn3 standards, so I don't know it that will be an issue for you if you use the stock wheels. Dave Heine Easton, PA Who rode behind a real Climax out of Durbin, WV on Sunday. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of bcgsteam Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2012 9:45 PM To: [email protected] Subject: {S-Scale List} Bachmann On30 Climax Conversion to S? I see that you can now buy a Bachmann On30 28T Climax (DCC ready) for under $100 from Trainworld. Has anyone ever attempted to convert this engine to S by regauging the wheelsets? The cab would have to be 'downsized' and depending on the engine size being modeled, other parts may be required but the wheelsets/drive mechanism would be the challenge, I would think. I'd be eager to hear if any one has experience with this conversion. Thanks, Brooks ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
