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Steam Engine Backhead

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Thursday, May 10, 2007 12:02 PM

vsmith wrote, "What are you building?"

It's for a Northeast Narrow Gauge 1:20.3 Dunkirk that I am in the process of kitbashing iinto a totally different beast.  The original had a hopelessly bad drive system that made a high-pitched whining noise but barely moved, and the O-rings that powered the trucks only lasted a couple of days before they began breaking.  I'm changing the drive system and upgrading the appearance of the bare cab area.

As others have suggested, I'll probably have to get detail parts and build my own backhead.

Thanks to everyone who has responded with suggestions, and especially the photos and recommendations on parts.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Thursday, May 10, 2007 10:06 AM

Build your own

I've done several now, its easier than it looks. Ozark Miniatures (white metal) and Trackside Details (brass) sell everything you will need. I tend to use Ozarks simply because they are more affordable. Evergreen and Plastruct sell styrene part and tubes, Plastruct sells a plastic wrapped metal rod that works great for cab piping. Dress snaps and small phillips head screws work great for valve handles.

This shows a mix of Ozark, Trackside, stryrene, and screws, to add detail to a REA bash.

final after paint.

What are you building?

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:35 AM

Dang Phil, that's mighty fine work.  

 toenailridgesl wrote:

 Make your own using scratchbuilt & Oz Min parts. Lots of photos out in the ether of backheads, find one that appeals & copy it. That's what I did with my major bash of the Pornie. Note that the valve handles are dress snaps.

 

 

 

It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Jones County, Georgia
  • 1,293 posts
Posted by GearDrivenSteam on Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:33 AM
I think precision scale has that stuff.
It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me.
  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Northwest Montana
  • 409 posts
Posted by Rastun on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 9:05 PM

Backhead's are really pretty simple to build a few scraps of styrene, tubing and some glue and they are done. Like Phil's the valve handles are dress snaps. Depending on the types of valves you want to make the material to make them changes.

This backhead is for the C.P.Huntington variant I built.

This backhead is from an Aristocraft C-16 that was made into a 1:20 2-6-0 mogul.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 Jack

  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: South Australia
  • 380 posts
Posted by toenailridgesl on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 8:19 PM

 Make your own using scratchbuilt & Oz Min parts. Lots of photos out in the ether of backheads, find one that appeals & copy it. That's what I did with my major bash of the Pornie. Note that the valve handles are dress snaps.

 

 

 

Phil Creer, The Toenail Ridge Shortline,  Adelaide Sth Oz http://www.trainweb.org/toenailridge toparo ergo sum
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Steam Engine Backhead
Posted by cacole on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 7:03 PM

I'm in need of a complete backhead to go into a scratch built 1:20.3 steamer.  I seem to recall seeing one offered for sale a couple of years ago, but don't remember where.  I have checked Ozark Miniatures with negative results.

I know that different engines had different backheads, but any generic one will do.

Any help would be appreciated.

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