Southern Pacific War Baby

[chrismoore93]

Hi Everyone,
I am thinking about purchasing a Southern Pacific War Baby off of ebay.
If anyone own's a War Baby, can you tell me if there reliable? :confused:
Thanks for your help,
Chris Moore :D

[CBCNSfan]

Southern Pacific War Baby Who was the manufacturer Chris just seen the date probably over now.
Cheers Willis

[chrismoore93]

Hi Willis,
Yes the date is over but.......... I ended up buying it. The Manufacturer is Bachmann.
Thanks,
Chris Moore

[CBCNSfan]

I have 5 or 6 Bachmann's they seem to run pretty good, but have a hard time of it on the grades on my layout. On the mainline they'll handle six or seven cars in a train, but we're looking at some heavy grades. Attached is a photo of a Lionel it's probably the same as a Bachmann for the price it's not bad looks good.
Cheers Willis

[chrismoore93]

Thanks willis,
I'll make sure not to put my War Baby on any grades. The Lionel "Daylight" looks pretty good. Might consider buying one for the railroad. I'll see if I can post a picture of it (when I get it) and we can compare Bachmann; Lionel :D Keep up the good work on the layout :p
Thanks again,
Chris Moore

[modelbob]

Bowser makes a new running gear and motor for the Bachmann GS-4. I've not tried one yet, but it looks like it would pull really well as it's heavily weighted.

http://www.bowser-trains.com/mech_3-204.php

[JeffShultz]

What is a "War Baby"?

[chrismoore93]

Well Jeff,

What is a "War Baby"?


A War Baby was used by the Southern Pacific Railroad during World War 2.
They gave it this name because it used to haul soldiers on the line. I'm sure after WW2 it hauled freight and passenger trains. You could also say the War Baby is a brother or sister to the "Daylight". They look exactly the same except, the War Baby is black and gray.

Chris Moore :cool:

[chrismoore93]

Hi Bob,
One question. Is the motor for a Bachmann or a Lionel?
Thanks,
Chris Moore

[modelbob]

> You could also say the War Baby is a brother or sister to the "Daylight".
> They look exactly the same except, the War Baby is black and gray.

And some of the side skirts were removed to make maintenance easier.

[JeffShultz]

Sounds like the War Baby was a GS-5 - I think that the main difference was in the construction of the frame.

[CBCNSfan]

Bowser makes a new running gear and motor for the Bachmann GS-4. I've not tried one yet, but it looks like it would pull really well as it's heavily weighted.
Kind of late tonight, but I believe I'll look into that ( Interesting it is) Thanks Bob
Cheers Willis

[CBCNSfan]

Bowser makes a new running gear and motor for the Bachmann GS-4. I've not tried one yet, but it looks like it would pull really well as it's heavily weighted.

http://www.bowser-trains.com/mech_3-204.php
Hi Bob I've done a little inquirey about the unit and they have them for the northerns also. They seem to be reasonably priced at about $69 +/- a bit each. I don't know about the GS-4, but the Northerns will be repowered by the end of the year.
Cheers
Willis

[Fan of the 4449]

A few years ago I got a GS4 4-8-4 (War Baby) off of Ebay, it was used! But after I recevied it and inspected it I relized that the drivers were bad on it. The plastic in the middle of the main gear was cracked. So may I suggest you think about buying a new out of the box from Trainworld that list them for about $59.00 plus shipping.
I ended up putting a Bowser kit in it so that was an added expense. It ran but was really heavy and had trouble staying on the track because the only the first and 4th driver has flanges. Also the trailing truck spring needs to be replaced with a stiffer spring or it will not sit on the drivers.
I finally sold it for $100!
Moral of this story! Buy a NEW one!

[chrismoore93]

4449,
I'm kind of having the same problem. The two back wheels were out of the socket when I received it. So I have a question. Should I put new running gear on it or should I let a hobby shop handle it? Or is there an easier way?
Thanks,
Chris Moore

[chrismoore93]

Oh, this question is open to anbody.

Sorry about that,
Chris Moore

[Fan of the 4449]

[QUOTE=chrismoore93]4449,
I'm kind of having the same problem. The two back wheels were out of the socket when I received it. So I have a question. Should I put new running gear on it or should I let a hobby shop handle it? Or is there an easier way?
Thanks,
Chris Moore[/QUOTE

Well I don't know if a hobby shop can fix it or not. Maybe they know someone who will can fix it.
Bachmann dosen't have replacement parts for those engines. I tried for several months and they told me that if I bought it NEW I could send it in and they would replace it. But if you buy it off of ebay it is 2nd hand unless you got it from a hobby shop on ebay!

What they want is a copy of the original sale!