Geared steam engines have short-wheelbase trucks which allows them to negotiate tight curves and rough track. Heislers may be easily spotted due to their V-shaped two-cylinder engine mounted just ahead of the cab. This engine operates a central drive shaft geared to one axle on each truck while side rods drive the outer axles.
Rivarossi introduced its first Heisler nearly 25 years ago. Today’s version is modeled from one of the larger 80- to 90-ton prototypes built in the 1920s with a third driving truck carrying a separate tender.
As the chart shows (far right), the model’s sizes are similar to dimensions in Heisler’s sales literature. However, these locomotives were built to order, so variations may be due to different customer specifications.
Three sheets of illustrated instructions cover the Heisler’s history, a parts list, and instructions for disassembly and maintenance of the model.
An optional oil bunker and straight smokestack are included.
This model’s drive closely follows the prototype Heisler mechanical design. A precision can motor in the cab drives a gearbox concealed in the ash pan that’s connected to a replica of the Heisler V-2 “motor engine.” Its crankshaft, side rods, and valve gear parts all operate exactly like their prototypes.
Flexible drive shafts transmit the rotary motion to metal worm gears on one axle of each truck. Then the side rods power the remaining axles, including those under the auxiliary tender. Even so, this three-truck model can still negotiate curves down to 15″ radius.
The locomotive’s drivers have RP25-contour nickel-silver wheels that match the National Model Railroad Association standards gauge. All eight wheels on the engine trucks have concealed electrical pickups, but the wheels on the tender truck don’t.
A printed circuit board concealed in the tender operates the model’s directional lighting. The PC board also includes an NMRA-recommended receptacle and jumper plug for easy conversion to Digital Command Control (DCC). A metal weight is fitted into the boiler, but there’s plenty of room above it for a plug-and-play decoder.
An optional driver set fitted with traction tires is included to improve traction if desired.
Our sample Heisler was a bit stiff as it started moving on 3.5 volts and operated steadily at a scale 3.9 mph. It produced a pronounced whine as the speed increased but continued to operate smoothly throughout its entire speed range. After a brief run-in, its starting speed dropped to about 3 scale mph, so I’d expect it to smooth out even more after it runs for a while. Its tractive effort is equivalent to 26 free-rolling cars on straight and level track.
The Heisler came neatly painted with first-rate lettering.
Overall, this improved Heisler will be right at home in all sorts of heavy mining and industrial jobs.
Price: $329.95
Manufacturer:
Rivarossi, manufacturer
Wm. K. Walthers Inc., distributor
5601 W. Florist Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53218
www.walthers.com
Description:
Ready-to-run geared steam locomotive
Road names:
Weyerhauser Lumber Co., Cass Scenic Ry., St. Regis Paper Co.
Features
DCC ready (with NMRA receptacle)
Directional constant lighting
Drawbar pull: 1.9 ounces
Eight-wheel electrical pickup
Engine weight: 12 ounces
E-Z Mate magnetic knuckle couplers
Five-pole can motor
Minimum radius: 15″
Nickel-silver RP25 contour wheels
12-wheel drive
Dimensions:
Model Prototype
(80-ton) (90-ton)
Wheelbase 49′-0″ 40′-3″ 44′-10″
Height 12′-6″ 12′-6″ 12′-10″
Width 11′-0″ 10′-3″ 10′-10″
