Southern prototypes and Aristocraft

[nickco201]

I am thinking of shifting my focus in large scale from narrow gauge to standard. My favorite road is the Southern and I model it a lot in HO. I am also building a 7.5in gauge live steam Southern Ps-4. So it seems that Aristo has a lot of SRR stuff. I was thinking of looking at their 2-8-2,4-6-2, 2-8-8-2 and the new 2-8-0. I would really like to superdetail these to resemble SRR prototypes. I was thinking of using trackside detail, and Ozark miniatues parts for this any other ideas? I was actually thinking of converting the 2-8-2 and 4-6-2 to baker valve gear and the 2-8-0 to southern valve gear. Is there a sources for commonwealth tender trucks ?. I really love DCC in HO and the tsunami sound system is amazing. Would it be a bad idea to try to run DCC out side ? Normally ive been just using a DC with a wireless throttle.
Also as far as rolling stock goes. Would it be smart to upgrade the aristo passenger and freight car trucks to ball bearing? what about the couplers? Should they also be upgraded.If so I was thinking of body mounted kadee couplers, but not sure where to get proper roller bearing trucks.
I realize I am asking a ton of seperate questions but thought it would be easier this way instead of making 10 sperate topics...
Thanks

[KenB]

Nick

A lot of questions.... I'll see If I can remember them all!

Wholesale Trains has Aristocraft commonwealth trucks on sale. See their website under special sale items.

DCC outside can be done... depending on the climate and track type. DC and air throttle, or DC battery and Aristo's Revo RC system probably better, and a lot less track maintenance. Constant resets from outside dirty track will get old real fast.

Ozark castings are generally 1/22 or 1/24, Aristo/USA are 1/29. Close...but no cigar.

For Valve Gear you are on your own. The models that you could use for scrap parts are generally much more expensive than the Aristo you intend to use. Aristo models work fine, just less expensive than the models you would have to scrap to get modification parts.

Aristo's current production power blocks can handle six heavyweight cars on a reasonably flat layout, if your want to pull them up grades greater than 1 1/2% or more than six cars, I would recommend installing ball bearings (available as a spare part from Aristo) in the trucks. Ball bearing integrated axles do not work as well in this particular application.( they work fine in regular freight cars though)

Kadee 830 couplers will work fine on Aristo's long passenger cars, but you are restricted to 10 foot diameter curved track or greater. Don't bother with Kadee's adapter for Aristo passenger cars, just use a wood shim, and cut out the sides of the coupler box!

The 2-8-0 is not yet in production.....Given the current economy, I expect the delivery date to slip into next year. They can't build new trains if nobody is buying current production. Sales are slow across the hobby business.

Hope this helps

(Aristo heavyweight cars with Kadee 830 couplers, close coupled)



Commonwealth trucks on Aristo Tender (modification to tender floor required for proper height)

[LiveSteamer]

Welcome To The Whistle Post. Enjoy your stay here. There is alot of great people here. I see you are building a live steamer. Cool. Can you post some pictures of it. I am into live steam myself hence my name on here. LOL