I Want To Build A Mallet

[danmerkel]

That "other model railroad magazine" had a series of articles several years ago on building different locos using Mantua parts. One of them was a 2-6-6-2 under a Mikado boiler. I know whe are talking about a 2-4-4-2 here but I just thought I'd throw that into the mix.

I tried to do something similar to what you are talking about... the results are somewhere in the local landfill. : (

If I were going to try it again, I think I'd consider a tender drive and just let the engine wheels roll freely. I simply don't have the skills or tools to make the kinds of allignments that would be necessary to build a working model of that kind of loco. But I'm with you... it would be interesting.

dlm

[Anonymous]

To those who might be interested I may be selling my Oriental Limited 2-4-4-2 in order to pay medical bills. Email me if you might be interested.

[e-mail]

[Morpar]

Years ago, I built a similar loco from a pair of Tyco 0-8-0 locos. Therse were tender driven, so I didn't have to deal with "working" drivers and valve gear. Both were Chatanooga Choo-Choo locos. I added a lead truck, removed the rear driver on each frame, and made a new boiler from PVC pipe. In retrospect, the loco was crude by most standards, but I was pleased with it. If I were doing it again, I would also change the cylinders and power the loco through the drivers, but I did like it way back then. If you want, I will try to find my copy of the Mantua logger 2-6+6-2 loco and make a copy for you. My old conversion was similar to what they offered in how the frames were connected. As for fodder, I know that my LHS has a consignment area that is a joy for projects. I have seen Tyco 0-8-0's for $5 on the rack, I have picked up 2 Bachmann N&W "J" 4-8-4's for $30 each. At those prices, kitbashing is pretty reasonable. Feel free to e-mail if there is any other help I can give. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Some years ago I built a 2-4-4-2 logging mallet from two MDC 0-6-0 switcher kits. Lots of slicing and dicing on the frames, but the result worked out well, and it won "Best of Show" in a local model contest. (1984)

The frames were shortened so that only the front two axles were used. Axle spacing did not change so a lot of valve gear could be re-used . Had to shorten the main rods since the 0-6-0 drove on the back axle. I used the MDC motor, driving both sets of drivers through Northwest Shortline universals. Nearly 20 years later, I still have it, and it still runs well. My local hobby shop had several Bachman or Lifelike or something-like-that 0-6-0 valve gear in their parts boxes for sale, so I fitted full Walchaerts gear to the front and rear engines. I took the two MDC boilers, cut them apart and joined them, moving domes as needed. The cab from one of the kits was used as is. My inspiration was of course the Little River 2-4-4-2's.

I liked that locomotive so much that when I switched to "G" scale live steam, I built a live steam 2-4-4-2, too!

You can see this at www. geocities.com/steamrocks/rivendell.html look under 'locomotive roster'.

If you have any questions about the HO project, Email at [e-mail]

[raykaczmarek]

Bowser is 0-4-0 of $49.00

The BOWSER Web-site is
http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoemrrs/dockside/dockside.htm

[My choice is buy of the shelf.]

Good luck!

[jrbarney]

Matt,
Two of the eleven articles cited in a By Keyword search in the Index of Magazines using "2-4-4-2" as the search term, describe kit-bashing a Mallet. Those articles might give you an insight into the challenges you may encounter.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Model Power is re-releasing the former Mantua 2-4-4-2 logging Mallet with a re-worked drive.

Hmm..interesting, only one i see they have is the 2-6-6-2 T ARTICULATED LOGGER, where did you see the 2-4-4-2 at?

Jay

[cacole]

Model Power is re-releasing the former Mantua 2-4-4-2 logging Mallet with a re-worked drive, at about half the price of what it cost when Mantua was still in business. Instead of trying to kitbash your own, you might want to take a look at this model.

[Anonymous]

Oh good, for a minute there, I though the title of this thread was "I Want To Build A Mullet" and so I thoyught i had wandered over to the bad Beauty Salon Forums.

Nigel is correct, you'd have better luck taking a 2-8-0 and butchering it to look more like a logging Mallet. But even there, the Drivers would be to big at around 50" diameters. And so, as it was pointed out, you'd be better off milling the frame, and buying all the parts needed (i think NWSL sells 40" drivers, but not sure).

Jay

[Anonymous]

There was a great article in the June 1991 magazine of Railmodel Journal on how to convert the Chattanooga Choo Choo into a 2-6-6-2 "pocket" Mallet from a Mantua 2-6-6-2 logging locomotive. After the article on the conversion there is an article on who had them and photos.

[nfmisso]

Hi Joseph2;

The last one that I saw on ebay (I sold it last October) went for right around $300-. They have appreciated, not depreciated.

Nigel

[joseph2]

Hi.12 years ago Samhongsa/Oriental Limited sold a 2-4-4-2 in the Powerhouse Series.It had brass parts on a zamac boiler that was painted brass.Since it wasn't all brass it cost less than half the price of a all brass locomotive,around $190.Maybe you could find a used one for less now?

[nfmisso]

Matt;


What you will end up with will be awfully large for a logging Mallet.

The real 2-4-4-2 logging Mallets had thier axles very close together, 0-4-0's typically have them as far apart as practical, giving them almost the same wheelbase as an 0-6-0.

In addition, 44" drivers were comnon on logging Mallets, versus 50" on most HO switcher models. The Mantua Mallet is a lot closer to S scale than HO.

To pull off this kit bash, you are going to need machining skills. Which means that you should be able to create your own plans.

There are have been some articles in the past, there was one in MR on building a Large Scale Cab Forward from LGB parts.

Go to Bowser locomotive kits, look at the Challenger and Big Boy Instruction Manuals, which you can download.

Nigel

[Anonymous]

Matt, maybe if you posted up what kind of 0-4-0's you are planning to use, someone might comment further ?
regards / Mike

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

If someone would Scan or send me a Photo Copy of an Assembly Manual from one of the Mantua Logging Locomotive Kits; it would be very helpful.

Thank you,
Matt

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

I have two 0-4-0 engines that I would like to use to kitbash a Logging Mallet. I'm looking for how-to information; copies of aticles about this type of conversion, and suggestions from anyone who has done this type of kit bash.

Thank you,
Matt