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Kitbashed 2-8-0 Camelback

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  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Kitbashed 2-8-0 Camelback
Posted by dehusman on Sunday, March 20, 2022 12:22 PM

I recently got my kitbashed 2-8-0 camelback in service.  It is a model of a P&R class I1-e camelback after its rebuilding in 1900, my layout is set in 1903.  The engine started out as a Roundhouse 2-8-0.  The boiler is actually off an older MDC 2-8-0 and has a styrene Wooten firebox.  The cab is the Round house cab modified with more appropriate windows.  The stack, domes, air pump and headlight are bras castings from PIA and Cal Scale.  Piping and handrails are phosphor bronze wire from Tichy.   It has a Tsunami decoder in it.

I made a littee video of its operation and construction:

Kitbashed Camelback 2-8-0 - YouTube

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • 2,780 posts
Posted by snjroy on Sunday, March 20, 2022 12:49 PM

Great job on the loco Dave!  Nice background too, by the way...

Simon

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Nashville, TN area
  • 713 posts
Posted by hardcoalcase on Sunday, March 20, 2022 1:03 PM

Beautiful modeling - both the loco and the scenery! BowBow

I've got a couple locos yearning for a Wooten firebox, and your video just might get me off the couch!

Thanks for sharing!

Jim

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 2,572 posts
Posted by John-NYBW on Sunday, March 20, 2022 1:22 PM

Excellent work. 

I've wanted to add a camelback to my roster but don't have the skill to do what you've done so I keep browsing on ebay. I just got beat out of a nice one a few weeks ago.

I've always been curious what the fireman's position was on a camelback and how he communicated with the engineer.  

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Nashville, TN area
  • 713 posts
Posted by hardcoalcase on Sunday, March 20, 2022 2:18 PM

John-NYBW

I've always been curious what the fireman's position was on a camelback and how he communicated with the engineer.  

The camelback design was obviously developed without employee/user input.  The fireman was stationed at the rear of the loco standing beneath that not-very-protective canopy.  Worse, he's standing on the front portion of the tender and trying to shovel coal into the engine firebox... the tender and engine usually swaying in different directions.  Like trying to feed an uncooperative infant.

Other than climbing up to the engineer, they couldn't communicate as far as I know.  I often wonder if any used "voice tubes" a'la the steam ship method to connect the bridge to the engine room.

The engineer didn't have a good position either.  The space between the boiler and the cab wall was cramped.  Some note that the alternate term for camelback - "mother hubbard" referred to "mother hubbard's cupboard" in describing the engineer's space.

Another issue is that the engineer is also is sitting right above the whirling siderods, so if one were to break, sections of the rod could come up through the cab floor.  This would be rare, and more likely to occur on a high speed passenger loco as opposed to a slower freight engine.

Jim

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by trainnut1250 on Sunday, March 20, 2022 6:12 PM

Dave,

Nice job!!! The loco looks great. One of my favorite odd beasts. I really liked the consist and the other rolling stock on the layout as well.

Guy

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, March 20, 2022 8:00 PM

Nice work on your locomotive, Dave, and your layout looks to be rather nicely-done, too. Thumbs UpThumbs Up

Wayne

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Sunday, March 20, 2022 8:25 PM

dehusman

I recently got my kitbashed 2-8-0 camelback in service.  It is a model of a P&R class I1-e camelback after its rebuilding in 1900, my layout is set in 1903.  The engine started out as a Roundhouse 2-8-0.  The boiler is actually off an older MDC 2-8-0 and has a styrene Wooten firebox.  The cab is the Round house cab modified with more appropriate windows.  The stack, domes, air pump and headlight are bras castings from PIA and Cal Scale.  Piping and handrails are phosphor bronze wire from Tichy.   It has a Tsunami decoder in it.

I made a littee video of its operation and construction:

Kitbashed Camelback 2-8-0 - YouTube

 

Dave, very nice work on that loco. Interestingly, I was just looking at your website a few days ago. Very interesting layout, great work there as well.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, March 20, 2022 8:43 PM

Great work Dave.  The lay out tour was excellent!  NICE! 

Mike.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Sunday, March 20, 2022 9:35 PM

Hi Dave,

I love the kitbash! Very nice detailing.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,257 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, March 21, 2022 1:10 AM
Good Stuff, Dave. I also enjoyed your layout tour, and how you developed your freight car fleet.
Thank you,
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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