Bachmann’s HO Climax captures the action of a geared logging locomotive

With whirring rods and driveshafts, the Bachmann 50-ton two-truck class B Climax offers accurate detail and operation. The Spectrum model is based on Greenbrier & Durbin RR no. 3, one of the last survivors of these unique geared steam locomotives.

4 x 4 of the rails. Over a 40-year period, Climax built more than 1,000 of its namesake locomotives for logging, mining, and industrial applications. All-wheel drive and flexible trucks made this a go-anywhere engine that could handle hairpin curves, 10-percent grades, and the unballasted temporary track leading to the next stand of trees.

The model. The die-cast metal boiler features sharp details, including wood grain on the pilot deck. Builder’s plates, piping, handrails, and air pump are straight and cleanly detailed.

User-applied parts include a snowplow and pack of coal dust. When applied to the molded coal, this dust makes the shiny load look more realistic.

Our West Virginia Pulp & Paper sample is smoothly painted in satin-finish black with a metallic graphite smokebox. All lettering is straight with opaque white color.

The mechanism. Under the boiler, the five-pole skew-wound motor rests on the die-cast chassis. A center gearbox sends power through the front and rear drive shafts to both trucks where bevel gears turn all four axles.

Though four pages of exploded-view drawings show the model’s major assemblies, the Climax is not designed for easy disassembly. However, the DCC socket is easily accessible under the removable coal load. The coal bunker interior measures 5 /16″ x 1 1/8″ x 1 1/8″.

Performance. With its flurry of motion, the Climax is fun to watch run. The top speed of 16 scale miles per hour is typical of a backwoods logger. At 1.8 volts, the engine creeps at .5 mph, but the lights remain dim until about 3 volts. The model’s drawbar pull equals 18 free-rolling HO freight cars on straight and level track.

Prototypical performance and detail make the Climax a worthy addition to an HO logging roster.

HO scale Climax

Price: $275.00

Manufacturer
Bachmann Trains
1400 East Erie Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19124
www.bachmanntrains.com

Description
Die-cast metal ready-to-run geared steam locomotive

Road Names
Clear Lake Lumber Co. no. 6, Moore Keppel & Co. no. 3, W.M. Ritter Co. no. 3, West Virginia Pulp & Paper no. 6, black/unlettered, black/red window sashes/white stripes/unlettered

Features
All-wheel drive and electrical pickup
Bachmann E-Z mate Mark II couplers, mounted at correct height
Blackened RP-25 nickel silver wheels, correctly gauged
DCC socket under removable coat load
Die-cast metal construction
Directional amber LED headlight and backup light
Drawbar pull: 1.28 ounces
Weight: 8 ounces
Five-pole skew wound motor
Minimum radius: 15″
Overall length: 40 scale feet
Three-gearbox power train
User-applied detail parts