Bummer!I went to get my old Bowser G5 out ofstorage to run and the cylinders are all cracked! Where can I get a replacement?
You can call bowser. They might have some parts in the backroom. Your second alternative is to scrounge ebay. Sadly though Bowser stopped making parts quite a few years ago. So they are hard to come by
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I checked the bay and I found one for the K4 Pacific,will it work on my G5?
Good idea I was thinking of smearing epoxy on it to stabilize the part before the new one arrives so I can still run it.
According to the Bowser Reference Manual 14th edition (1994), the cylinder block for their PRR G5 4-6-0 is part 8165.
The K4 Pacific went through several iterations and sometimes parts numbers changed but the one they were selling in 1994 used part 81130.
The drawings of the parts in the catalog look different too. The G5 cylinder block has a boxlike piece ahead of the cylinder saddle that the K4 casting lacks. Interestingly that box like part is shown on the cylinder casting for the E6 Atlantic, part 8130. That might be one worth seeking out if a proper G5 casting cannot be found. After all the G5 was designed by the PRR to essentially be an E6 on a different frame.
If by Bowser 4-6-0 you actually mean their version of the Varney so-called "Casey Jones" that is part 2164. It would be nothing like the Pennsy K4 casting.
I am surprised to hear of this issue -- the PRR 4-6-0 was by Bowser standards pretty recent tooling (it was reviewed as a new item in the July 1984 MR) and by then I was under the impression that the zinc rot problem, so common in the 1950s and early 1960s, was under control and tamed.
Dave Nelson
Yes must have gotten a bad one.In the meantime,I smeared 2 part epoxy on it to allow me to run it while I track down a new cylinder block.Waited for the epoxy to cure,slapped on some gray paint,put it on the test track (after cleaning the wheels and oiling the armature bearings and axles.)She ran really well.I havent run it in a few years,so that is good.
Check Shapeways. A 3d-printed replacement might be an option.
Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.
www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com
dknelson I am surprised to hear of this issue -- the PRR 4-6-0 was by Bowser standards pretty recent tooling (it was reviewed as a new item in the July 1984 MR) and by then I was under the impression that the zinc rot problem, so common in the 1950s and early 1960s, was under control and tamed.
Nope. It's still here. All it takes is lead contamination in the alloy.
Keep in mind that it can take years to show up. And, until then, everything looks just fine.
One of the more recent ones was some HO Chinese steam engines that were sold here. And in China, obviously.
Ed
Besides the Atlantic cylinders, I would think the ones off of the 2-8-0 would probably work.
Interesting option but it sounds difficult time consuming and expensive,3d is not mature enough for the train hobbist.
There was a thread about a G5 with zinc pest a while ago, and I thought someone said the E-6 cylinders would work. I'll see if I can find the thread. Bowser has the E-6 cylinder block, 1-8130, in stock for $10.
EDIT: Here's the thread
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/219243/2421969.aspx#2421969
Gary
philo4263d is not mature enough for the train hobbist.
As a buyer of several pieces of 3D printed model railroad details I would politely disagree with this statement. I am quite pleased with the results.
Thanks, Ed
Okay you have my attention.how much did you pay for your 3 d printed part?How did you obtain the file required to build and who created it?How durable is the part and will it accept paint,Weed wacker line will not cut it!
Thanks for the info Gary!
philo426 Okay you have my attention.how much did you pay for your 3 d printed part?How did you obtain the file required to build and who created it?How durable is the part and will it accept paint,Weed wacker line will not cut it!
I'd been contemplating building some PRR catenary after seeing a multi-part article in the Keystone Modeler Magazine at the PRRT&HS site. The author used brass structural shapes.
At the same time I looked at Model Memories which offered etched brass catenary. Both these options were going to be time consuming and somewhat costly.
Then browsing Shapeways I found a designer offering 3D printed catenary in many configurations.
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/designdyne?li=pb
My first order was some two years ago. Yes, as you can see in the photos it is a little fuzzy. This doesn't bother me and I believe with some careful sanding and painting I'll be able to minimize this. The insulators look fine but if I want I can use Tichy and other insulators. The simple two-track K-brace catenary support runs $13 and go on up to close to $100 for a four track signal bridge.
PRR_cat4 by Edmund, on Flickr
Above is a sampling of several styles. The one will span four tracks and the thin-section beam is very sturdy at that point. I do not plan to string any wire on these but use them for photo shoots of electric locomotives.
PRR_cat6 by Edmund, on Flickr
This is a tensioner tower. I believe it is very nicely detailed.
PRR_cat2 by Edmund, on Flickr
The direct overhead lighting probably amplies the texture. In reality it is not very noticeable. I wanted to get some PRR style hand rail supports so I contacted Steven Smith and requested he make some. I supplied him with a drawing.
About three weeks later he wrote back to say they were available.
PRR_railing by Edmund, on Flickr
It is difficult to see in the photo but there is a nut-washer detail at the foot.
I forget what his price is, they're about 5 bucks for a roughly 8 or 9 inch length. He didn't charge anything for design since I guess he will sell them to others.
Recently I bought some PRR style position light dwarf signals. They are very tiny in HO scale, almost too small to work with so I hope someone makes them in S scale. The detail is very fine on them.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/532988UQ5/ho-dwarf-signal-jhdd101?optionId=43306453&li=marketplace
There are new materials available since I ordered these.
https://www.shapeways.com/materials/
Here's a designer offering 1:48 cylinder saddles. Perhaps 3D printing could be an option?
https://www.shapeways.com/product/SL56484B2/1-48-steam-locomotive-cylinder-saddle-on3-on30?optionId=58864900&li=marketplace
Hope that helps,
Cheers! Ed
Most impressive with fine detail.Since the cylinder block will be subject to mechanical stress the solid metal one would be better for my application.Thanks for the informative reply.
3D printing seems to get better every day with improved materials and technology.
I didn't necessarily imply that it was the best route for the replacement of your cylinder casting but more of a rebuttal in defense of the 3D process.
Some modelers may have enough of a need that they may purchase a machine for home use. For my limited needs it is better to try to find someone already versed in 3D computer rendering and production. Shapeways offers these options.
Glad to have helped, Ed
philo426 Most impressive with fine detail.Since the cylinder block will be subject to mechanical stress the solid metal one would be better for my application.Thanks for the informative reply.
Do you think he offers a cylinder block that would fit the Bowser chassis?