Re-Working an 0-4-0T

[Anonymous]

I have an old Life Like 0-4-0T (the old timer "model") that I would like to use on my layout, but of course it has to be reworked (quite extensively), so my questions are:

- What motor do you suggest (and what can I do with the gears)?
- What are those pumps that this type of engines have in front of the tank on the fireman's side? (and where does the piping go?)
- Who makes appropriate wheel sets for this type of engine?
- What type of add-ons (tanks, pipes, valves, etc) were commonly found on this type of engine?
- How can I emboss rivets?

Thank you.

[cacole]

If it needs that much re-working, you might be better off to just buy a newer model. Check on e-bay -- I think I saw one for sale there.

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: What are those pumps that this type of engines have in front of the tank on the fireman's side? (and where does the piping go?)

I'm not familiar with the engine, but this sounds likely to be the air compressor. If so, it would usually have a small (1-1/2") steam pipe running to it from the steam turret, and an steam exhaust line from the compressor to either the smokebox (or up into the stack). Air is actually taken in at the compressor, so there's no inlet line as such, the compressed air outlet pipe would go to the air reservoir, which I'm guessing on an engine this small would be between the engine frame halves. On bigger engines, the resevoir would be the long horizontal tank under the engine running board.

QUOTE: - What type of add-ons (tanks, pipes, valves, etc) were commonly found on this type of engine?

Again, I'm not sure about your engine (or even the scale, although I assume you're in HO). I'm doing something similar with a LL 0-6-0 in N scale. I have replaced the old oil/kerosene style headlight and rear headlight with something more modern, upgraded to a better bell (removing the old cast-on one), added a generator (because of the change to electric headlight), added a small oil fill/cap on top of the fuel tank (because my rr is oil burning), and added handrails and grabirons.

QUOTE: - How can I emboss rivets?

When you find, please let me know.

Sorry, I have no idea on motors or wheel sets.

Enjoy your project,

Ed

[nfmisso]

I suggest a subscription to Mainline Modeler, along with all of the back issue that you can find. There are some specific issues that you can find using the "Index of Magazines" hot link above on build and re-working steam locomotives, with several methods of forming rivits.