Lionel Berkshire Chassis Compatibility

[Leverettrailfan]

I unfortunately cannot verify if the Lionel berkshire chassis would fit...
Your post reminded me of a fun little tidbit I found when I looked up info on my 646 hudson- according to the 'Tandem Associates' page, the boiler casting for the Lionel 2046, 2056, and 646 was modified from the boiler casting used in later production of the 726 berkshire. What relevance that has to modern day production, or production of the time, is probably very little. 

You may have to take some measurements, and be prepared to do some modification to the shell and frame, in order to make this project happen- I hope things turn out in your favor, this sounds like a very cool project in the making!

-Ellie

[Postwar Paul]

Hi HCF,

that engine looks like the NdeM engines. Don Ball Jr." America's Colorful Railroads" had pictures of those beautiful engines. I suppose you could just letter it " NdeM" and call it a day....

Don't know if Berkshire chassis will fit, you also have to consider spacing between the cylinders and lead truck wheels, having to move the cylinders forward.

There was an article in CTT years ago ,someone had cut and spliced a Lionel Hudson into a 4-8-4...

Wish you success!

Paul

[HCF]

Hey folks,

I am currently thinking up a kit bashing project and I need help. I'm trying to make an NdeM 4-8-4 in traditional (not scale) O.

The shells for K-Line semi scale hudson shells look like pretty good candidates for a base to detail. The only issue of course is that hudsons have 6 drive wheels, not 8. Naturally that's an issue so I'm looking for an 8 wheel drive chassis to potentially mate with the K-Line shell. 

The lionel Berkshire drive chassis is looking like a good candidate. The drivers are a good size for the space available on a K-Line shell. Does anyone know if the Berkshire drive chassis could fit in the K-Line shell? Would I need to change the motor out? Would I face issues securing the shell to the frame?

Here is the K-Line shell that I am interested. The model in this particular image is the K 3238.