I have been watching for years to see if any K1 N&W 482 would be offered in HO scale. Either I missed the production run or no one has manufacturered these.
Question, has anyone made these ?
Has anyone modified a 484 to a 482. If so how did you do this and which manufacturer loco did you use ?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
YGW
I believe a K-1 was offered in brass many years ago. As for plastic, it's not likely to happen. I imagine you could build a pretty acceptable one by modifying a commercial USRA light 4-8-2. The overall frame/running gear/boiler proportions are pretty close. You would need a new cab, tender, sandbox, and many other details.
Casey, the Doctor, and others have shown that it can be done.
If you're not sure, how about starting with something a bit simpler, like converting a P2K 0-8-0 to an N&W S-1a? That should give you the confidence you need.
Tom
YGW,
The modernized K-1 4-8-2 was imported by KEY quite a while ago in 2 versions. Samhongsa built them and they were excellent locomotives. They came either with the Pere Marquette tender like on their Berkshires or the "standard" N&W tender of the time which had the rounded water bunker, 16,000gallon/22 ton capacity. Several engines received the PM tenders.
A very credible K-1 can be made from a USRA Heavy 4-8-2. The most difficult part of the conversion would be making the square sand dome they applied to the "modernized" engines along with the slanted cab and finding the correct tender. I have a KEY USRA Heavy 4-8-2 waiting in the wings for the conversion myself.
Most people doing this conversion use the NWSL 18,000g/26T tender which is not correct but works ok. For 100% accuracy you will probably need the KEY engine or extreme scratch building skills.
I know of no 4-8-4 that you could convert into a K-1 that would come close as they generally have 80" drivers which are too large.
Personally, I think the K-1 was the very best looking 4-8-2 ever. But what do I know? I love the looks of the N&W M and especially the M-2c!
Good luck with your conversion and let us see what you do!
Roger Huber
Deer Creek Locomotive Works
Yes, I thought about the USRA Heavy 4-8-2, but suggested the light version because I think the smokebox size is closer. I haven't checked the dimensions carefully. A person seriously interested in the project would have to do that.
Tom, Roger
Thanks for your response. It sems strange to me that no one is making these especially given the wide spread use by N&W and the fact that many in later years were stream lined just like the "J". I would think it would be an easy adjsutment for manufactures ???
K-1 was an oddball and only used by the N&W compared to the K-2 which was a USRA copy and used by numerous railroads.
Also, the K-2 was the class of engines streamlined like the J, the K-1's were never streamlined based on all that I have read.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
The N&W rostered 3 different classes of 4-8-2's. They were as follows:
K-1 #100-114 Roanoke 1916-17 home design Modernized post 1946 with slanted cabs, large sand dome, sheathed smokebox and firebox and larger tender. They were never streamlined
K-2 #116-125 Alco-Brooks 1919 USRA design streamlined post 1946
K-2a #126-137 Baldwin 1923 USRA design streamlined post 1946
K-3 #200-209 Roanoke 1926 home design sold to RF&P, D&RGW, W&LE
The K-1 was used primarily on mainline passenger trains until the arrival of the K-2/K-2a. They were bumped to secondary trains until the J's arrived and they bumped the K-2/a engines to secondary at which time the K-1 became more common on freights and local freights. The K-3 was a drag freight engine that didn't quite fit in to the over all N&W operating scheme and was sold during WWII to other roads in need of heavy power. They were good engines when used in the service they were designed for but most roads didn't use them that way and had problems with track damage and hot bearings.
I would love to see a Spectrum quality K-1 myself. It's my favorite 4-8-2 of all. The KEY import shows up semi regularly on feebay and at brass dealers but, unfortunately, since it's a high quality product and a popular locomotive with production numbers fairly limited it goes for rather high prices. It was imported in the 2 versions I mentioned and also as a factory painted item and bare brass.