Hi! I bought this post war Bachmann k4s about 2 years ago. It is the newest version, with no plastic axles, and little molded on detail.
However, there were a few problems.
1. The crosshead broke off from the slide bar
2. the details were minimal, and the wire they used was too thin
3. dim headlight
4. numerous wrong details. The engine seems to be detailed from a prewar k4s. They added the wrong marker lights in the wrong places. The marker lights on the engine are the wrong type, they should of added the PRR modern type. The tender has the marker lights on the top, near the edges. They should be hanging on the back side of the tender. Also, there is a missing backup light on the tender.
Fixes:
1. I fixed the crosshead with some wire. It dosent look good at all, but I needed a sturdy way to mount the crosshead to the slide bar. Keep in mind, the crossbar has to slide on the slide bar, so there was really no other way(other than finding parts).
2. I completly redetailed 90% of the K4s. I used thicker wire. Yes, I know that I painted then with a black gloss paint marker, but good enough is good enough, Im not repainting the engine. I redid all the pipes near both sides of the firebox, as well as the markerlights, air compressor, and whistle cord, as well as the tourbo-generator exhaust(Thanks gmpullman for the correct terminology!).
3. I added a SMD LED into the headlight. Originally, it was using fiberglass and a bulb, which is really dim.
4. I can't find the right markerlights/backup lights. Does anyone know where I could get brass/plastic PRR modern markerlights? Anyways, until then, Im just gonna stay with the current setup.
Superdetailing:
The superdetailing process was tricky, considering it is my first time. I think I did a pretty good job.
Here is the stock Bachmann K4:
Here is the brass K4 in which I detailed after:
http://www.brasstrains.com/Classic/Product/Detail/048038/HO-Brass-PFM-United-PRR-Pennsylvania-4-6-2-K4-K4s-Modern-1980-Run-CUSTOM
I used 22 gauge, and 24 gauge wires as well as small heat shrink tubing(near the injectors) to detail it. The model is missing the 2 circular things under the cab. Is there anyway I could find some?
***Things I still need(please help me find the detail parts!)
Things I missed:
Final product:
The pipe actually goes to the injectors:
Whistle Cord:
Marker light wire, Radio antenna, and another wire(don't know what it does)!
Overall View of the engineer's side:
Right side firebox & air compressor:
Marker light wire:
Fireman's side overview:
Not too shaby for a teenager eh? How do you think I did?
I hate the feeling of being incomplete. This engine is far from done and it makes me sad because its not 100%. It kills me in the fact that its not done, and I really wish I could get hold of some of those missing detail parts soon.
Charles
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
Good job. OK, the piece under the cab on the fireman side that looks like 2 circles is standard stoker engine. The stoker powers the large screw auger that is at the bottom of the tender coal bunker that conveys coal to the firebox in the cab. Calscale makes a brass casting (190-224). Search eBay in HO scale using "brass detail parts stoker" and you may be able to find one. I run across this part in my searches all the time, so very easy to find.
I do not know what you are referring to on the top of the cylinder fireman side. I thought you were referring to the round snifter valve, but that part is there.
Good luck tracking down the parts you need.
BTW, it would be useful to work off of drawings and photos of the prototype. There are plenty to be had online, in PRR books, and the PRR historical society. Piping and major appliances can change over the life of an individual locomotive with every shopping.
Joel
Modeling the C&O New River Subdivision circa 1949 for the fun of it!
Hi, Charles
That is a nice piece of work you are doing there and I'm glad to see a younger gentleman taking an interest in steam!
If I'm not mistaken the small pipe behind the stack that you are calling an antenna is actually the turbo generator exhaust. One of the front-end designs that PRR did was to move the turbogenerator to that location. The stubby exhaust pipe that is directly molded on the turbine should be clipped off and the pipe that wraps around the stack should connect directly to the turbine.
PRR made quite an investment in their "TrainPhone" system. You are correct avout the large recieving antenna on the tender. There were also two round disks that were the transmitting antennas. TrainPhone was an induction system that relied on the line-side telegraph wires to carry the signal. One big drawback for PRR was that it could not be used in electrified territory because of the 11 kV overhead catenary. I know Cal-Scale makes the stanchions for diesels, and cabin cars not sure about steam. Part # 190-392 is only two stanchions.
Do you plan on weathering the engine to give it an "in service" look?
Being a PRR fan do you read the TKM magazine on the PRRTHS site?
http://www.prrths.com/newprr_files/newPRRKeystoneModeler.htm
Nice job!
Regards, Ed
Thank you for your help with the terminology everyone!
CandOsteam I do not know what you are referring to on the top of the cylinder fireman side. I thought you were referring to the round snifter valve, but that part is there. Joel
I mean this thingy:
gmpullman - Thanks for the advice! I will try to fix that as soon as I have time...
Hard to tell at that distance but it looks like it is the mechanical lubricator. An arm attached to the combination lever, the vertical arm between the union link and the radius bar, would actuate a ratchet which would turn a cam which would force thick, heavy valve oil through small pipes into the steam valve and main cylinder bores for lubrication.
{edit} I did look at the photo after I enlarged it. It IS the mechanical lubricator.
Have Fun! Ed
You are right in your conclusion that most of the details are prewar. I agree with Ed that the "thingy" is the mechanical lubricator which seems to have been applied to all K4s around 1939-1940 or so, with the entire fleet of 424 engines probably so equipped by the end of WWII (one engine, 8309, had been wrecked & scrapped in 1938).
Bowser is your friend. They carry quite a few PRR-specific parts in their Cal Scale and Cary lines, including both early and modern classification lights, markers, and headlights. The backup light you need is probably the Sunbeam. The stoker, as mentioned, is available from them, as is the mechanical lubricator. The real-life lubricator had small actuating levers connecting it to the valve gear parts. You may or may not want to add them, but installing the lubricator will require some modification of the running boards. You may find other aftermarket parts from these suppliers, as well as others such as Precision and PIA.
So far, you seem to be making good progress on a project that is challenging and rewarding. It's a bit scary to enter into new territory, but you've made an excellent start. Keep it up & keep us informed.
Tom