The set includes a Plymouth locomotive, two dump cars, two log cars, two cement cars, two trash cars, and two pulpwood cars. Four-car expansion packs for each type sell for $29.98 each.
Appearance. Plymouth Locomotive Works was one of the world’s largest builders of small industrial locomotives. Plymouth built more than 7,500 switchers for a variety of industrial and mining operations. Many of these locomotives weighed less than 25 tons and were built to customer specifications.
The Plymouth switcher included in the MiniTrains set isn’t based on a specific prototype. The HO model has the dimensions and details typical of a less than 25-ton Plymouth JDT switcher. The locomotive is 15 scale feet long and rides on a 5 scale foot wheelbase.
The freight cars in the set look more European than North American. They aren’t based on prototype cars.
The tooling of the plastic locomotive body shell and truck sideframes, as well as all the freight cars, is the same as the 1960s originals. The details on the locomotive are well-defined, including the engine access hatches and the raised “PLYMOUTH” lettering on the front. The cars all have 3 scale foot wheelbases and ride on scale 171⁄4″ diameter metal wheels that are in gauge.
The locomotive weighs 1.8 ounces and the cars weigh .2 ounce each. Each scale 6′-9″ long car should weigh 1.5 ounces according to National Model Railroad Association RP-20.1.
The locomotive has two pins on each plastic pilot beam that work with the wire loop and pin couplers on the cars. These couplers are the same as on the original models. There isn’t an easy way to replace these European style couplers with operating knuckle couplers, even using N scale couplers.
Performance. The plastic locomotive body shell is press fit onto the chassis and is easily removed. A can motor and metal worm gear shaft are encased by two die-cast metal weights. A gearbox is connected to both locomotive axles. All the wheels pick up track power.
The model began moving reliably when I advanced the power pack to 3 volts, and it crept along smoothly at 10 scale mph. At 12 volts the model reached 116 scale mph, which is much faster than a prototype Plymouth switcher.
On our straight speed-test track, the locomotive pulled all 10 cars at more than 100 scale mph, so it shouldn’t have any trouble handling the additional cars of the expansion packs sold by BCH.
The locomotive and cars can easily negotiate 93⁄4″ radius curves. The engine has a non-directional constant headlight that didn’t flicker through turnouts.
With their loop and pin couplers, these locomotives and cars aren’t suitable for interchange service. However, they could be an interesting addition to a mine or industrial scene, or a standalone compact layout.
Manufacturer
BCH International
336 Columbia St.
Johnstown, PA 15905
Phone: 814-255-1650
Fax: 814-255-3514
www.bigcityhobbies.com
Locomotive paint schemes: green and yellow, black and yellow, blue and yellow, chocolate brown and white, vermillion and white
