Good afternoon. Looking for a complete Bower super detail kit for a PRR A-5 shifter kit that was given to my older brother. Number is #100580. if anyone has 1 please let me know. Thanks
If you can't find one, most of the super detail parts can still be found separate from Bowser, Cal Scale (part of Bowser), Precision Scale and others. Here's the manual with all the names and part numbers: 100580.pdf (bowser-trains.com)
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They sometimes pop up on evilbay. Usually at a much inflated price or an arm and up to the knee for shipping. But sometimes you just get lucky. Also look at unbuilt locomotive kits. The super detail kits were sometimes included. Patience is the key.
Pete
Those detail kits are commanding a tremendous price right now.
As Darth suggested, it might be worthwhile just to source the parts needed.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
A long-time friend was looking for a Bowser A-5, so I contacted another friend, whom I knew was in possession of such a kit. I asked if he was interested in selling it, but after explaining my need for it, he declared that he wouldn't sell it at any price.
I was somewhat taken aback, but then he laughed and said, "you know D***-well that I wouldn't take your money, but I will gladly give the kit to you, to pass onto your friend."
After thanking him, I returned home to let the other friend know what I had found, but when I opened the box, was floored by the amount of detail parts included with the kit.I did get it built, and also slightly modified it to match a calendar photo of a real A-5. I also managed to install DCC (provided by the friend who wanted the loco) in the tender...a first for me.
I also added a few other non-kit details...
...along with all-wheel pick-up on the locomotive...
...and on the tender, too...
The add-on details went pretty-well as planned...
....although I did modify the running board on the engineer's side of the boiler, to match the calendar photo...
Here's a couple photos of it before I delivered it to my friend in Ohio...
...and just to clarify that the decal lettering on the cab and tender was not botched, but rather weathered, then wiped, in the same manner that the crew on the A-5 in the calendar photo must have done, to show their pride in both their loco and their operating practices.
If you contact English's Model Railroad Supply you could ask if they have the super-detailing kits, or at least some of the appropriate parts.
Wayne
Hi rrlineman,
I suggest that you have a look at Precision Scale Co. detail parts. They don't have a kit for your particular locomotive but they have literally hundreds of steam detail parts to offer, and the castings are of very high quality.
https://www.precisionscaleco.com/
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Wayne.
If that little yard goat runs half as good as it looks it should be able to pull out tree stumps! What a fantastic stunning job. I'm interested in the all wheel pickup. How about a class or some lessons? Materials list? I have an Overland B6 that could use the help.
Pete.
Thanks for your kind comments, Pete.
The all-wheel pick-up is actually pretty easy to add. All that's required is a piece of copper-clad circuit board, and some .020" phosphor-bronze wire, available from Tichy.I use a cut-off disc in a motor tool to cut a piece of circuit board which matches the size of the coverplate which holds the loco's drivers in-place.
Next, I use a utility knife to cut the copper cladding into two separate surfaces, removing a strip of copper between the two sides, and thereby isolating them from one another, then drill holes through the unclad areas in order to accommodate screws which will hold both the circuit board material and the coverplate in place. Make sure to remove the copper cladding so that the screwheads cannot touch it (using Kadee nylon screws is another option).
On earlier projects, I used Kadee coupler bronze centering-springs as wipers, as shown below...
...but later opted for the .020" phosphore-bronze wire as wipers, as it allows greater pressure against the drivers, and is less likely to fatigue.As you can see in the photo above, only the insulated drivers have wipers, but I later decided that using the phosphor-bronze wire on both sides was more likely to balance side-to-side end-play in the drivers.
In pretty-well all cases, I used small-gauge insulated wire to connect from the circuit board material, directly to the motor.
It's also possible to add all-wheel pick-up on tenders, too...
...then use mini-connectors to provide power directly to the motor...
...the small drilled holes, high-lighted with red paint, ensure that the plug-ins are properly connected. The excess wire can be stuffed into the tender using tweezers.
Here's a brass 0-6-0, with wipers on all of the tender's wheels...
...and on the the loco's drivers, too...
The only other tool needed would be a small soldering iron, anywhere from 25 to 45 watts.
Here's a recently-done brass Mogul, with wipers on all six drivers...
...and on a brass 10-Wheeler, too...
...with insulated wire connecting the two sections of circuit-board material.I hope the photos and my blathering are enough to explain the process, but if you have queries, fire away.
Thank you. I have tried with brass wire but it breaks too easily. I'll shop around for some phosphor bronze maybe in .025 or .030. The circuit board I may have from my turnout construction days.
You can order phosphor-bronze wire direct from Tichy's Catalog. All you need to do is scroll down to scan what's available, then e-mail your order.
Thanks !
I just tried Dave. No luck. Thanks
I was going to check but it only works on the weekends.... You might try toy train heaven's cloud nine sale. They have a bowser fire sale section. Probably sold out by now but it might be worth a try.