I've got a United/Pacific Fast Mail Union Pacific 2-8-0, and I need to find a Replacement Smokebox Front For it. I've looked at CalScale & Precision Scale, but I don't know how to get one that will fit the locomotive correctly. Does anyone know how to help? (Sorry If this is a silly question, I'm still learning as a younger modeller) I also want to try and find one similar to Union Pacific 618s
I suspect the approach you're going to want to take involves a combination of scratchbuilding and kit-bashing.
Cut and file a disc of suitable material to the OD of the smokebox front, and provide it with the circumferential rivet or bolt detail. Then find a smokebox front that has the best door and surround, and cut out the raised door surround as well as door. You can then either file that down to fit flush against the flat disc, or carefully cut out the disc to fit the door piece and then use putty and careful sanding. If the disc is thin, you can back it with a piece that is thicker.
Rocketstephen618I'm still learning as a younger modeller.
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Rocketstephen618I've got a United/Pacific Fast Mail Union Pacific 2-8-0, and I need to find a Replacement Smokebox Front For it.
I will not be of much help with this specific question. I do not own one of those models.
You should be able to find the diameter of the boiler on-line somewhere.
Cal-Scale has a good selection of boiler fronts. If you find one similar that is a little larger there is usually a possibility of filing it to fit.
Close-enough is good-enough in a siluation like this. You are probably still learning the hobby, and a roadblock like looking for the perfect match will onlt cause stagnation.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190You should be able to find the diameter of the boiler on-line somewhere.
I've tried, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. And I don't think I did my calculations correct, because I dont think it has a Scale 80" Smokebox Diameter.. Being only 10 Inches smaller then 844? I also don't have calipers, so I can't check the scale diameter.
If I understand correctly, he wants to model a Union Pacific C-2 as rebuilt (the class was built in 1904 for the OSL, I believe as Vauclain compounds, and rebuilt circa 1918). Here is sister 616 (in preservation, so measurements could be taken directly if necessary):
https://www.steamlocomotive.com/whyte/2-8-0/USA/photos/up616-mcdonald.jpg
While steamlocomotive.com's performance-oriented stats don't include smokebox diameter, it may be possible to scale off the photograph's side view, knowing that the drivers are 57".
You could call Precision Scale and Bowser and ask them what the actual size of the smoke box front you think are close.
Another suggestion is Amazon has calipers for 7-10 dollars.
Jim
Greenway used to have a lot of brass builders parts besides the best source of drivers. They may have something close. A simple ruler across the front of the smokebox would give you a diameter.
American Scale models has some parts also.
Don't be afraid of asking a brass dealer also. They sometimes take in damaged locomotives for parting out.
Pete.
Rocketstephen618...I also don't have calipers, so I can't check the scale diameter.
If you can get reasonably close to the mid-point of the boiler's diameter (vertical or horizontal) using a ruler, you should be able to measure it close enough to see if Cal-Scale (English's Model Railroad Supply) has a smokebox front in a similar size.A few minutes ago, I checked on some Bachmann plastic boiler shells for their 2-8-0s, and using calipers, found the over-all diameter of the smoke-box fronts to be 64 one-hundredths in diameter, which translates perfectly to 7' in HO scale.
If you can make a similar measurement, but can't find a smokebox front that fits, let me know and I'll send you a replacement, (albeit in plastic....as I have five of those plastic boiler shells)...in addition to eight other Bachmann 2-8-0s that are very good runners.
I also have two brass Samhongsa 2-8-0s that I'm painting and repairing for a friend, and the diameter of the smokebox fronts is exactly the same as my Bachmann plastic locomotives.
Wayne
Sorry for the late response, I've been really busy. The Outside Diameter is just about 7/8 of an inch, and if I've done my math correctly, that should be about 6.3 Feet, or 76 or so inches. (Inside Diameter is 13/16s of an inch.) No Idea if I did any of my calculations correct though