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 Posted - January 19 2013 : 7:40:16 PM
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Hello all, A question for the group--I just purchased a Branchline Trains Yardmaster Series AS-16 diesel. I've never seen this brand before, especially not selling ho scale diesels. Does anyone know anything about this brand and this model? Thanks
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Posted - January 19 2013 : 11:05:36 PM
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To my understanding, Branchline Trains does not produces locomotives, just lazer cut buildings, and maybe rolling stock. Based on how their web site is set up, I think they may put their name on other smaller makers' products, acting as a distributor. I don't know the full details of what they make though.
Picture, especially of the underbelly would be great for identification.
The only mainstream maker of AS-16's that I know of, is Bowser (if you can call them mainstream)! These As-16's were made either as shell kits to drop in on another maker's (Athearn, Kato, Atlas, etc) frame. They still make AS-16's that they sell as ready to go locomotives, and I know Trainland carries them for $75, along with the AS-616; the six axle version.
Bowser I believe owns Stewart, and used to be Penn line until some legal done-boggle broke up Penn line. Bowser locomotives from kits are subject to construction technique, but are usually pretty good. Ready to run stuff (newer of course) is usually a bit more expensive than inport models like P2K, but I think they're American made. The NYO&W museum in Roscoe had a Stewart F-3 that ran fantasticly, and convinced the curator to get a matching one from Bowser.
The AS-16 was a Baldwin road switcher, 1,600 hp that sold rather well for a Baldwin diesel, and of which only a few remain in running condition. My locomotive book says 127 were made, and that the Erie had a few, but I don't know too much about them myself either.
I'm more of an ALCO-haulic, but do tell us how it runs. I'm considering getting one from Trainland while they still carry them!
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Posted - January 20 2013 : 10:46:16 AM
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| Thanks for all the info, Islander. I guess the loco has just been placed in a random box. When it arrives, I'll let you know what it is. It will be nice if it's a Stewart/Bowser--I have the AS 616, and it's a nice runner. From the pic I have, you can just make out the inner part of the trucks, and it hints at an Athearn mechanism. So maybe it's the shell you mention.
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Posted - January 20 2013 : 10:53:10 AM
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Here's a pic...
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Posted - January 20 2013 : 11:27:15 PM
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That looks similar to what I'd think is an Athearn mechanism, but I don't think Athearn made those types of trucks, unless they had something like an ALCO FA unit. It could be custom side frames. The shell is definately a Baldwin, so at least it looks right. Somebody want to give better clues than my hunches?
l'd imagine it's a few years old? I like it so far.
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Posted - January 21 2013 : 04:13:11 AM
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Athearn did make AAR trucks which were used on the U-Boats.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - January 21 2013 : 08:43:47 AM
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** Branchline would buy in large lots complete undecorated train kits from other manufactures. Then they would detail them in limited numbers. With this a Stewart AS16 was the starting model. They like others in the same business, Bev-Bel, Track1, Collectors Corner, and other provided for the hobbyist a better selection of roadname, paint scheme, and car number choices. The NYC gray lighting stripe AS16 wasn't done at the time by Stewart, and may still not have been redone by Walters. You have a special engine there.
frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Posted - January 22 2013 : 10:39:22 AM
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Just to set a few things straight:
Stewart Hobbies produced the AS-16 and AS-616 in HO scale in at least two generations. Original releases used Athearn motor, flywheel, and on the AS-16, AAR-B trucks.
The second generation used a Kato motor, flywheels and trucks similar to Atlas HO locomotives.
There may be a third generation which uses Stewart's own clone of the Kato drive - the F-units they produced got this drive, but I am unsure whether the AS-16 was released with it.
The most recent incarnations of this engine are sold under the Bowser Manufacturing label and use a still further updated drive compatible with DCC systems.
Bowser and Penn Line are seperate companies that began in the late 1940s. Lee English bought Bowser in 1961 when it was not doing well and revived it, operating under that brand name. Penn Line went bankrupt soon after, and both English and Varney purchased portions of that product line. Bowser began to expand again in the 1990s with new kits and purchased Stewart's line in 2004.
Branchline was able to purchase large quantites of undecorated trains because they were initially a hobby distributor. They added their own line of custom decorated trains following the Bev-Bel model, then eventually took the step of producing their own trains. Then for whatever reason decided to go in another direction and left the train business. Atlas purchased most, if not all, of their original product line and tooling.
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Posted - January 22 2013 : 3:19:30 PM
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That model is actually an older Stewart made locomotive. Its shell and frame are made by Stewart, and the motor and trucks are from Athearn....I have 2 of them, one JUST like the one you pictyured! I wound up custom painting mine tho!
As for such, the company Stewart, is now owned by Bowser, and is the "Excutive Line" of the Bowser diesels.
Branchline, howeverdid and was known to buy quanties of other manufacturer products, to paint just like Bev-Bel did.
I would not be surprised if Branchline bought models from Stweart, when they were
A. Still in business,
or
B. Was selling off undec. inventory, just before the Bowser buy out of the company.
C. Bowser solf off, all the undecorated units to make up for the cost of the purchase of the new addition to their company.
~John
Many have tried to, and failed, ya just can't repair stupid... 
Do NOT try to Idiot-Proof anything!!!! God, will simply create a better......IDIOT!
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Posted - January 22 2013 : 4:08:12 PM
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| Copyright date on any paperwork with the locomotive would nail down what the story is on the engine. But the photo appears to show an Athearn drive, which would date the locomotive to a good 10 years before the Bowser buy-out.
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Posted - January 25 2013 : 10:26:59 AM
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| Well, the AS-16 arrived last night. It definitely has the Athearn drive. It has Athearn-like metal handrails, not the plastic like on my later Stewart Baldwin. The motor mounts were so old and hardened, that the motor broke away from the frame during shipment. But I just superglued it back down, and it's fine. I may put in new mounts someday. Overall, a nice model. I just wish I would have soldered a wire onto the motor's bottom copper strip before I glued it so I could install a headlight. Now, I'll probably tap the frame somewhere and install a little screw for the wire.
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Posted - January 25 2013 : 1:18:29 PM
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Now you have 2 stewart AS16s, original type and later type.
both are Stewart.
toptrain
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" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Posted - January 25 2013 : 7:12:10 PM
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| I've been using tube silicone gasket maker to repair old Athearn motor mounts. One tube will last you years.
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