There are still a lot of unbuilt kits out there, and there may be some kit building newcomers who want to give one a try! Because of that, I thought I'd do a video series showing some good methods on how to do it.
Here's part 1, which shows how to build the chassis.
The kit is actually already finished (took me less than a week to complete), so I can just put up each video as I finish editing and processing.
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Nice job Darth. I have a Bowser E6 Atlantic brand new still in the box. I may get to it one day, after I finish the projects that are ahead of it.
Great video Darth! I usually break in the motor a few minutes on the workbench before installation. I also lubricate after the entire model is built and painted.
Looking forward to the next video!
Simon
Thank you Darth. Loved the video. It's a great introduction to putting together a steam locomotive kit.
Scott Sonntag
Part 2 is up!
I'm glad you've all enjoyed it so far! Just 3 more parts to go now.
Neat video, Darth. I've built MDC loco kits, but never a Bowser. They look to have pretty nice mechanisms. Dan
THANK YOU for posting these.
I have an 0-6-0 (Roundhouse I think), and a TycoKit 0-4-0 that are stashed away. Believe it or not, I also would like to have a Bowser "Old Lady" 2-8-0 like you feature in the videos. This is perfect.
It looks like a lot of the techniques will also translate well to brass locomotive repair and maintenance. The mechanisms are very similar in a lot of places.
Your naration and examples go at exactly the right speed. Great editing.
Question on the valve gear: When you clipped the end off of the screw and put some super glue to hold it in place, why didn't you use a jam-nut instead before you clipped the screw? Is this a bad idea? I am asking, because that is what I would have done, and if it is a dumb idea, I would like to know before I make a mistake.
Thanks for all this useful information.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
This kit didn't include any nuts for the valve gear, so I only used what was provided. I've found clipping the end of the brass screw while in place and then adding a touch of super glue is enough to keep it from backing out.
Hi Darth,
Thank you for the excellent videos! I look forward to the last two in the series.
I do have one complaint however! I will now probably have to spend some money on a Bowser kit or two, as if I didn't already have enough projects!
Seriously, I do have a suggestion. In the past you have done several videos where things didn't go together quite as smoothly as the 2-8-0 Bowser kit did. Nevertheless, you were able to get the locomotives to run very smoothly. Would you consider doing a video(s) on solving the various issues that you have encountered with kits?
Thanks,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I'm planning to do more videos like these with some more advanced kits, and they'll be going into more detail about solving problems wherever they come up. This one went pretty smoothly overall though, which has been my usual experience with Bowser kits!
I watched part one again. It is amazing what a great job you did cleaning up the locomotive pilot casting. I paused the before and after for inspection. I don't think I could do near that good of a job.
And now for part 3!
SeeYou190, it was mostly very thin metal from where the dies didn't quite meet during casting, so cleaning it up was actually a lot easier than it looked. Most of it just chipped out, and a thin file was enough to clean the edges!
Also managed to finish part 4 today!
Thank you for another great video.
When you do the super-glue & baking soda filler... Do you use liquid or gel type super glue? Does it make any difference?
Can't wait for part 4.
I use the liquid type. It soaks through the baking soda more easily than the gel, which tends to somewhat repel the baking soda and ball up.
Darth Santa FeI use the liquid type.
Thank you. That will save me some experimentation.
From the videos you shared it seemed like it worked very well. I have heard about this technique for filling holes before, but not seen it in action.
I will watch part 4 tonight when I am done with the house and yard. Painting and decalling is the one part of steam locomotive buildng I am comforable with already.
And the final video's up!
Not all of my techniques along the way were perfect, but I hope the series was helpful to anyone wanting to get started in kit building!
I just watched part 4... finally!
It is so interesting to watch a fellow experienced model builder show his techniques. You do almost everything differently than I do. I never thought a paper towel tube could hold a heavy cast locomotive boiler.
At some point, I will need to make videos of my techniques and share.
When you brought out your airbrush I was amazed at how clean you keep it. Then you said it was a new airbrush, and I was happy to hear that.
I am so scientific about my paint/thinner ratios. Maybe that is a waste of time.
Part five will be viewed soon.
I finally watched part 5 with my morning coffee. Very enjoyable. Again, your pace and editing were spot-on.
Darth Santa FeNot all of my techniques along the way were perfect.
I did not see much imperfection. I saw a lot of things you do differently that I do, but I am certainly not perfect with my techniques.
Darth Santa FeI hope the series was helpful to anyone wanting to get started in kit building!
Yes... it was very helpful. Your method of marker jewel installation is 100% something I am going to try. I picked up several new ideas of techniqes to try out.
I would love to see a series where you assemble a brass locomotive after painting, but I am pretty sure 90% of it would be the same as this kit.
Please keep the projects coming. This one was very worthwhile.
Thank you again.
Thank you for the excellent video series!
I just bought a Bowser 4-4-2 kit because I couldn't resist. I look forward to assembling it sometime down the road.
Very nicely-done videos, Darth.
Wayne
Nice video series.
I put together a Roundhouse 4-6-0 when I first got into the hobby. I must have been pretty lucky because it worked. I painted it to replace my son's broken Hogwarts Special engine that took a 4ft cement dive.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Good stuff, Darth. I added this to my favorites so I can find it when I get on with finishing up a bunch of locos. I find myself reluctant to paint, and worse, decal. Maybe this will help. Dan