Has anyone tried the article on converting a 675 to a 4-6-2?

[nitroboy]

I tried it, and can't seem to get the front trucks not to derail around the layout. Mine looks like the pictures, but the trucks flop around too much in the front. Any help???

[philo426]

Make sure the front truck spring has not weakened tp the point that it no longer exerts enough pressure to keep the front truck on track.you may have to replace the spring but do not use one that is too tight for that can cause the front truck to de-rail,if the new spring is too tight,cut a few coils until the front truck tracks straight and true.

[Anonymous]

That was a great article..........for 1954. Modifying Lionel PW engines was the best we could do in 1947. Lots of 763 Hudsons were laid out on Frankenstein's table and came out as 4-8-4, 4-6-2s etc, but now rather than butcher a poor old 675 into something that looks like a butchered 675 I would rather buy a ready to run full scale K4 made by KLine, Lionel, Third Rail or MTH. There are so many nice engines just waiting to jump out of their boxes and haul your trains anywhere you tell them. This conversion is odd looking because it does not follow the American design convention that mandated that a centerline must run through the smokestack, cylinders and equally dividing the axles of a four wheel pilot truck. Before you start whacking away on your models you need to study the basic design of American steam locomotives or you will just be creating wierd looking unsightly junk. Sorry, but that's just the way it is. Odd-d

[nitroboy]

Couldn't agree with you more Odd-d. But when you can't afford a $300 + engine, you do what you can to doll things up a bit. I was able to piece a 675 together for about $50 from parts here and there, hey, a scale engine on my layout would look VERY out of place[:D]

[Anonymous]

Odd-D nice ad. How much did KLine, Lionel, Third Rail or MTH pay you for that.

Some people in this hobby aren't made of money. Cutting up a $50 engine is alot cheaper and more "realistic" to someone on my budget.

[Jumijo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nitroboy

Couldn't agree with you more Odd-d. But when you can't afford a $300 + engine, you do what you can to doll things up a bit. I was able to piece a 675 together for about $50 from parts here and there, hey, a scale engine on my layout would look VERY out of place[:D]

I read this thread yesterday and thought that the ONLY possible way I would make those alterations is on a pieced-together loco. I'm glad to hear you didn't alter an original PW piece.

Jim

[jwse30]

I haven't tried it yet, but I am seriously considering it. I'm going to be hitting the junker tables at the next train meet to see if I can find one. I may leave mine as a 2-6-2 though, I haven't decided yet. If I end up with a 2035, I'll replace the rear truck with a two wheel version.

A few years ago, I saw a Turbine on eBay painted in the same scheme. I thought it looked very nice, but got outbid. Since then, I've bought an extra shell with the idea that some day I'll repaint that one as well. Perhaps I'll be painting 2 boilers once I find a K-4 [:)]

J White