Steam Loco Detailing

[Anonymous]

Hi
I'm new to the word of steam locos, as I won one in an auction with some other stuff. What I want to do is detail and weather it as it is not a good looking loco as it stands right now. I've been doing a bit of looking and Cary and Cal scale have some nice detail parts but I'm not sure where to begin.
It's a Mikado, but I'm unsure of the manufacture. I'm going to strip it down and remove the plastic details and re-paint.
What I'm unsure of is I am unfamiliar of the workings of the loco so I don't know what details to buy and where to put them. Is there any prototype drawings on any websites I can use to become familiar with the parts. Also need a lead set of wheels (2) as these are broken.
Any info would be helpful.
Thanks[:D]

[Anonymous]

Greeetings,

I'm new to this forum but I have done some of my own modifications, weathering and "superdetailing" to several of my HO steam engines. I have used several Cal Scale brass details, they look good and have decent mounting suggestions. I also use brass rod of various diameters for piping, grab irons etc.
As to where to put things, it largly depends on the prototype/railroad your interested in as these things vary. I have found most of my reference info through books dealing with the specific railroad..(I model mostly Western Pacific).
hope this helps...

[Anonymous]

Higs:

First: What scale is the locomotive?
Second: You will need to know the manufacturer of the model.
Third: You will need to know who the manufacturer of the prototype locomotive is "supposed" to be. I say "supposed" as model manufacturers are notorous for putting out generic locomotives.
Fourth: You will need to select a specific prototype locomotive or class to use in your superdetailing research.
Fifth: Once you know what you have in hand and where you want to go, you will need a set of dimensional drawings of your prototype example. There are many sources for this. Perhaps the most commonly available is the "Locomotive Cyclopedia" published by Kalmbach, the same people who publish Model Railroader.
Sixth: After studying your model and the desired prototype you can make a list of needed parts to adapt the one to the other. When you are at that point, search the Walters website for needed parts. Make a list of the manufacturers and consult their individual websites as the Walters people do not stock an entire manufacturers line.
Seventh: Be prepaired, at least mentally, to scratchbuild some of the superdetailing parts yourself.

Good Luck

Randy

[Anonymous]

First of all thanks for the replys. The scale of the loco is HO and the road name is Southern Pacific. I'm not sure of the manufacture, but on the bottom it says made in Yugoslavia. Its orange , brown and black and says daylight on the side. I want to remove the in moulded plastic details, front pilot, piping and possibly the domes. This link is what I want the loco to look like:
http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/preserved/0794_01_sp-steam-mk5-art_fisher.jpg
I've done alot of diesel detailing so the work isn't a problem, I just don't know what the functions are of the components on the sides of the loco and what parts to but.
Regards

[nfmisso]

If you want a static model, proceed. If you want a runner, use your NMRA gage to make sure it has RP25 drivers - if it doesn't it is debatable that it is worth doing.

The model you have was made by Mehano. It has been through many revisions, and the current version is a very good runner with a flywheel.

Definitely get :http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/01001.html
and this one (unless you have a very extensive collection of MR's) http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/12221.html

The SP locomotive has a larger diameter boiler than the IHC model, which represents a USRA Light Mikado. The tender can be made from a MDC-Roundhouse #403 HO Tender Kit Undecorated Vanderbilt http://www.mdcroundhouse.com/ You may want to stretch it a bit.

See also:
Detailing Diecast Steam - Superdetailing Cast Models Mainline Modeler, July 2002
Pennsy K4 Locomotive: Detailing Mainline Modeler, January and February 2002
Scratchbuilding a Louisville & Nashville B-4 class 0-6-0 Mainline Modeler, May, June, July, August and September 2001
Detailing plastic steam models Mainline Modeler, February 2001
Detailing Plastic Models: Bachmann's N&W J Mainline Modeler, January 2001
http://www.mainlinemodeler.com/

The above are great articles, and will provide you with techniques for making the SP Mikado model that you want.

Have Fun;

[Anonymous]

Higs:

What you have is a Mikado, an M Class Mk 5, one of a block of 57. According to the numbering it was Built by Brooks and operated by the TNO (Texas and New Orleans), at the the time an SP subsidiary, and not by SP itself.

For prototype reference I suggest:

Wright, Richard K., Southern Pacific Company: Diagrams of Locomotives and Tenders.
Dunscomb, Guy L., A Century of Southern Pacific Steam Locomotives. 1862-1963.

Rather than #794 your might consider #743, the same class and Mark but operated by the SP itself and, a relative rarity, built in the SP company shops. A picture, a good high resolution showing tender detail complete with "dog house", is also available on the same website you got the picture of #794.

Hope you find this helpful.

Good Luck

Randy