When I planned my layout I decided that a flexible 1950's era would be a great place to start. Thanks to the stellar help of people here, I've come along way and am enjoying myself a heck of alot. One thing that has kinda stuck with me is how to get my MP Mikado looking suitably like a ATSF loco - here's the model: And here's a picture of a real life Mikado on it's way to the scrap-heap: Obviously the biggest differnce is the extra dome and the lovely patina of grime and rust. What else do I need to change to have a passable resemblance? Is the silver color on the front of the smokebox correct? Does anyone have any color shots of these beasts? (also, I know that the 50's era puts these Mikados literally on their last legs, but I couldn't stomach trying to make something out of the Bachmann Northern - sue me!)
The color of paint on the nose of new locomotives, came out of the paint shops as silver. In time the silver would turn to more of a silver smoke gray. Here is a website that may be helpful. http://www.aculink.net/~marshall/ There's one other I depend on...still searching. Here you go: http://users.snowcrest.net/photobob/sfl1.html Most of the Santa Fe mikado's were short and fat little engines. The one modeled by Kato and Model Power resembles the boiler for a Pacific. Just an observation. I have the same model you have and consider it to be an excellent locomotive. It will pull 8 cars up my 2% grades. Here's a picture of a Santa Fe mikado that comes closer to the one we own: http://users.snowcrest.net/photobob/sfl54.jpg I hope this helps.
Yeah, they added a second sand dome to most of their Mikes. Also most ATSF steamers had the unique number board boxes above the hand rails behind the stack.
