Bachmann Spectrum Large Scale Climax

We are testing our Bachmann Spectrum 1:20.3 scale Climax purchased on eBay. Super used, missing the stack, leaking oil. Let see if it's a gem or Poop. (It's a GEM!)

The large scale (and smaller scale) Climax locomotives are popular geared locomotive models. The large scale Climax is a model of a small prototype. "Stinking cute" comes to mind...But it will fit our very small large-scale logging layout. Which is a separate point to point line up in the mountains, which is to say 7 feet off the floor! And not connected to the D and RGW mainline 3 feet below. There is only (well.. will be soon) 30 feet of track ending at one end with a stub siding and one stall engine shop and one end and PERHAPS someday a turntable and shop at the other, AND a small "town" at the midpoint. The average train will be a small geared locomotive, like this little guy, perhaps two log cars and a caboose running on an auto timer point to point.


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Climax locomotive is a type of geared steam locomotive in which the two steam cylinders are attached to a transmission located under the center of the boiler. This transmits power to driveshafts running to the front and rear trucks.

The invention of the Climax locomotive is attributed to Charles D. Scott, who ran a forest railway near Spartansburg, Pennsylvania between 1875 and 1878. A lumberjack of considerable mechanical ingenuity, Scott sought to bring an improved logging locomotive of his own design to market and brought the drawings to the nearby Climax Manufacturing Company in Corry, Pennsylvania. The first four Climax locomotives were built and delivered in 1888. The design patent[1] was filed in February in the same year and granted in December. The invention was not patented in the name of Scott, as he had only a limited education, so he left the drawings to his brother-in-law George D. Gilbert, who was a civil engineer by profession and worked for Climax. Gilbert had the invention patented in his name without mentioning Scott.[2]