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Old Monogram model kit of a UP Big Boy

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  • Member since
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  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, June 11, 2020 12:33 AM

garya
Which version(s) did you build? The kit seems to come in many roadnames, though I assume the NYC Hudson is correct.

I have two of the Hudsons that are in the "prop fleet" for the STRATTON AND GILLETTE. One was NEW YORK CENTRAL, and the other was UNION PACIFIC. There were actually some minor detail differences in the two kits, but both were obviously NYC locomotives. They have different pilots, smokebox fronts, and a few other variables. The red one has shields over the air pumps in the front.

I think it is just because of the different vintage of the two kits, and not likely that the model sold as a UP version was actually a different kit.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by garya on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 11:25 PM

gmpullman

I've built a few of the Hudsons. They turn out pretty well for an inexpensive model. Have Fun!

Hope that helps, Ed

 

 

Which version(s) did you build?  The kit seems to come in many roadnames, though I assume the NYC Hudson is correct.

Gary

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, June 10, 2020 5:13 PM

My Monogram Big Boy project was never finished.

I realized I already had a STRATTON AND GILLETTE 2-8-8-4, and abandoned the effort.

-Kevin

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Posted by Real steam on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 6:33 PM

Thank you. I know it's late in coming but life got in the way of living for the past few years

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Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, July 14, 2018 7:28 PM

That big tender does look happy there.

 

Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, July 14, 2018 4:28 PM

I already used one of the Santa Fe 16 wheel tenders on STRATTON & GILLETTE project #1837.

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However, it does look good behind the Big Boy. I wonder how hard it would be to come up with another one. I bought this one for $10.00 at a yard sale. It would be easy to add a coal bunker.

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This "one weekend" project is expanding!

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-Kevin

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Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, July 14, 2018 4:10 PM

Sure does.  I guess all that talk about NYC engines having a low profile is true.  Still think they look great, though.  Maybe the Hobbyline Berkshire?  What would look good would be one of those gigantic Santa Fe tenders:

Of course, THAT one isn't exactly generic, then, is it?

 

 

Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, July 14, 2018 3:26 PM

Hmmm...

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The tender for the Hudson looks a bit small on the modified Big Boy.

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No other options right now... so I am going to run with this one.

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-Kevin

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Posted by dknelson on Saturday, July 14, 2018 9:57 AM

The old Hobbyline NKP Berkshire was a really cheap kit when it was new, and Sims Labratories made a power unit that with some effort made it into a fairly nice model for the era.  Hobbyline also had a Pennsy 0-4-0 and a generic 0-6-0T, both also all plastic and unpowered, but reasonable in proportions and detail.  They were cheap fodder for beginning kitbashers.  

Speaking of aftermarket parts, for a time Bowser made a special frame for the Monogram/Revell unpowered Big Boy so it had a heavy frame and metal wheels for pickup, because it was just what the doctor ordered for their all metal Big Boy and Challenger kits.  Part 150681 for those who want to track one down.

And of course Bowser also made a super detailing kit for a Big Boy #100375 that could be used as easily with the Monogram/Revell as their own all metal kit.  

Dave Nelson

 

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Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, July 14, 2018 9:17 AM

And a center-pede behind a Hudson?

Interesting.  Very interesting.

 

Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, July 14, 2018 7:58 AM

Continuing with this project after a couple weeks away.

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I decided the right thing to do was to replace the obviously UNION PACIFIC centipede tender with something more typical as was suggested. I purchased the Monogram Huson locomotive, and I will use the tender from this kit.

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This also gives me another locomotive type for the prop fleet.

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-Kevin

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, June 24, 2018 1:04 PM

I went through the basket of detail parts, and I think that there is a solution.

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I am going to add an Elesco Feedwater Heater to the top of the smokebox.

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-Kevin

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, June 23, 2018 6:55 PM

I removed the front stack and found a surprise.

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The piping around that stacks was molded hollow, so when removed it left a void on the top around smokebox. This will need to be addressed.

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I am off to the laundromat. I will comnsider how to address this issue while I am there.

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-Kevin

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Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, June 23, 2018 6:21 PM

Kevin,

 

Looking good!

 

Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, June 23, 2018 5:35 PM

To the OP "REAL STEAM", I am done with the instructions for this kit. If you send me a private message with your address I will drop them in the mail for you.

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I worked for a bit on the modified front end and managed to get the pilot mounted.

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-Kevin

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Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, June 23, 2018 3:28 PM

Here's another plastic loco to play with, the Hobbyline Berkshire:

 

 

Available on Ebay, as we conversate.

 

Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, June 23, 2018 3:22 PM

I modified the front engine by moving the pistons about 1/2 inch closer to the front drivers. Then I built a two wheel leading truck using the kit parts.

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-Kevin

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, June 23, 2018 2:54 PM

7j43k
Sounds kind of like fun,

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I am hoping to get this build done in one weekend, so I can't go too crazy. I think I can do a 2 wheel lead truck and convert it to a 2-8-8-4. The single stack is a great idea also. No way I can shorten the firebox.

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I have another tender to use that is more suitable for what I want it to look like.

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The running gear went together real easy.

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-Kevin

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Posted by 7j43k on Saturday, June 23, 2018 2:07 PM

SeeYou190

 

Still looking for modification advice to make it look more like a USRA design.

 

 

Put a "regular" tender behind it.

Replace the smokestack with a single exhaust.

The biggy:  turn it into a 2-8-8-2.  Four wheel trailing trucks weren't used in USRA times.  And four wheel lead trucks on articulateds, for that matter.

You'll have to slide the front cylinders rearward to account for the missing wheel.  And likely everything else "up front".  And replace the trailing truck.  And shorten the smokebox to account for the moved cylinder.  And shorten the firebox to account for the change in the trailing truck.  SUCH AN ADVENTURE!  But a relatively affordable experiment, no?

It might be nice to change the sand domes to an earlier style, too.  To get ones to fit, you'd probably have to do them scratch, which would be a goodly bit of work.  But.  If you make them FIRST, and they don't work out, you can always still fall back on the original ones.

 

Sounds kind of like fun,

 

 

Ed

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, June 23, 2018 12:48 PM

I am working on the model right now. Overall it looks pretty good, but the handrails are completely awful.

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Any pictures of the model will need to be from a low angle to hide how terrible they are molded to the boiler.

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Still looking for modification advice to make it look more like a USRA design.

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

  • Member since
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, June 21, 2018 7:41 PM

I am also starting this kit, but would like to make it look a little more "USRA", and a little less "UNION PACIFIC".

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What would be the suggested list of details to alter?

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-Kevin

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Living the dream.

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Posted by RR_Mel on Thursday, June 21, 2018 6:13 PM

Don’t forget to post a picture when you finish your Big Boy.
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
 
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Posted by Real steam on Thursday, June 21, 2018 6:02 PM

You were absolutely correct. Thanks for the tip.

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Posted by Real steam on Thursday, June 21, 2018 5:54 PM

Thank you Ed, your information was / is very helpfull.

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Posted by Real steam on Thursday, June 21, 2018 5:49 PM

Thank you again Mel, Your instructions were just what the doctor ordered.

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 2:57 PM

gmpullman
IRONROOSTER Is this the same kit currently put out by Revell? Yes. https://www.revell.com/germany/other/80-2165.html#.Wxbp90iUv4U

Thanks

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 2:50 PM

IRONROOSTER
Is this the same kit currently put out by Revell?

Yes.

https://www.revell.com/germany/other/80-2165.html#.Wxbp90iUv4U

 

Additional instructions here:

http://manuals.hobbico.com/rvl/80-2165.pdf

 

Thank You, Ed

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 12:49 PM

Just out of curiosity, if anyone knows.

Is this the same kit currently put out by Revell?

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 9:29 AM

Larry
 
Check your Forum Mail
 
 
Mel
 
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 

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