Happy Sunday!
I've been working on building a PRR M1 4-8-2 in N scale (because PCM is delaying their release of this engine indefinitely) using a bunch of different models (including 2 Minitrix K4s, their tenders, a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2, a ConCor J3a tender frame, and lots of other parts:
The plan is for those parts to become PRR M1 #6811 seen here on the Middle Division in 1953 (Photo by Harold K. Vollrath):
I had to fiddle with the Spectrum engine to get it to pull well by shimming the third driver bearing blocks.
I've milled out the shell and the frame so they fit. I spliced the fireboxes together as well. The loco hangs a bit far off the end, but M1s were like that. Hopefully the longer KW training truck frame will compensate for the 1.5 scale foot "shortness" of the existing truck.
The model looks like it's sitiing a bit too high (a consequence of fitting the too-naroow Minitrix shell, but railhead to stack height matches PRR plans to within about 6"). Also, overall length is within a foot.
I probably only romoved less than 10%of the weight in the milling of the frame, so I don't expact her newly-improved pulling power to suffer noticably. I also have't yet installed the decoder. The higher firebox makes a natural conduit for the DCC wires to run back to the tender.
I've started reshaping the running boards to match the prototype PRR #6811. I also swapped the Minitrix air pump for the Spectrum cross-compound pump. This is the fun part to me. That's a GHQ toolbox.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Reese
Modeling NS One Locomotive At a Time
That's cool, Dave. So much for the oft-stated claim that everyone wants ready-to-run and nobody's willing to do any real modeling work.
Andre
Thanks, Andre... Funny you mention that. I was perfectly ready to pay almost $300 for one of these RTR! But PCM yanked my chain one too many times, and I quit waiting.
These sorts of projects are not easy in N, but in the end, though, even with their shortcomings, they end up being far more fulfilling than the open-box-place-on-layout engines. I have plenty of RTR engines (although not steam -- all my steam are kitbashes). But all eventually get the PRR Trainphone antenna treatment (Gold Medal Models), decoders, and weathering.
Beautiful modeling, Dave!
Are you planning to put sound in that Lines West tender? It certainly looks big enough.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
tomikawaTT wrote:Beautiful modeling, Dave!Are you planning to put sound in that Lines West tender? It certainly looks big enough.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Excellent work Dave I have never tried anything like that with HO let alone N scale. Great job.
Kevin
Nice looking project Dave. I would even attempt that in HO scale, let alone N. Great work.Since this is Sunday Show-Off, here's my project for the day. First real try at making a engine look like it is actual been used.Here is the starting point.Then a little paint on side frames, wheels, dusting on body, added winter front and the results are----Helps to start out on a old BB, don't feel so bad if you mess up!
Nice looking project Dave. I would even attempt that in HO scale, let alone N. Great work.
Since this is Sunday Show-Off, here's my project for the day. First real try at making a engine look like it is actual been used.Here is the starting point.
Then a little paint on side frames, wheels, dusting on body, added winter front and the results are----
Helps to start out on a old BB, don't feel so bad if you mess up!
Dave Vollmer wrote: Thanks, Andre... Funny you mention that. I was perfectly ready to pay almost $300 for one of these RTR! But PCM yanked my chain one too many times, and I quit waiting.These sorts of projects are not easy in N, but in the end, though, even with their shortcomings, they end up being far more fulfilling than the open-box-place-on-layout engines. I have plenty of RTR engines (although not steam -- all my steam are kitbashes). But all eventually get the PRR Trainphone antenna treatment (Gold Medal Models), decoders, and weathering.
I wouldn't blame your for spending $300 for the M-1 from PCM, what with sound and all. That is, if they'd actually made the thing. However, patience will last only so long and you seem to have a good handle on what it takes to create what you want.
BTW, have you seen the series in RMC about making an I-1s out of a Kato Mike, a GHQ L-1 boiler and quite a bit of creativity? Model looks quite good.
Only a little progress. I got the backdrops up and got involved in building an office in my home office/wife's studio. Most of my work is on the phone anyway. Hope to move in next weekend.
I should mention that this is just the undercoat for the finished backdrop.
What I really did.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
andrechapelon wrote: I wouldn't blame your for spending $300 for the M-1 from PCM, what with sound and all. That is, if they'd actually made the thing. However, patience will last only so long and you seem to have a good handle on what it takes to create what you want.BTW, have you seen the series in RMC about making an I-1s out of a Kato Mike, a GHQ L-1 boiler and quite a bit of creativity? Model looks quite good.Andre
Andre,
Thanks! Yes, I've been following the RMC article on the I1s. I've been working with Max Magliaro (the author) on ideas for this kitbash, and he's "sanity-checking" my work as I go via another forum.
His kitbash included extending the frame and running gear... That's a tad more difficult than what I'm doing here. But, if this works out and I have some spare change (the GHQ conversion kit Max used is $99 alone, never mind the cost of the engine!) I may try the I1s. I do have spare Kato parts (side rods, bearing block, etc.) so I could probably do the I1s.
After the M1, though, I'm hoping my next loco purchase will be the Kato GG1; however, there's only been one announcement and no order schedule for that. It's not like Kato to produce "vaporware," so I have faith it's coming.
OKrlroads wrote: Nice looking project Dave. I would even attempt that in HO scale, let alone N. Great work.Since this is Sunday Show-Off, here's my project for the day. First real try at making a engine look like it is actual been used.Here is the starting point.Then a little paint on side frames, wheels, dusting on body, added winter front and the results are----Helps to start out on a old BB, don't feel so bad if you mess up!
alco's forever!!!!! Majoring in HO scale Minorig in O scale:)
I worked on this:
N scale craftsman kit. I still need to add the doors, detail, and weather the thing.
Well, I got challenged again. Last time it was a friend who was going to build a 132 ton GE center cab switcher in G scale. I did mine in HO. This time a friend built a 65 ton Whitcomb Centercab in N scale and sent me a copy of the plans. The engine I want to copy is this one http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/bscx0529.jpg and paint it up as a South Buffalo unit. These engines have a fascinating history and were available in a variety of configurations. There are at least 4 different cab configurations that I know of and the one I am going to build first is the standard slant hood with a vertical wall short height cab. Here are a couple of pictures of my progress so far.
Cab section
Hood section side panels
Still a long way to go on this one.