There are no locomotives of Polish Railways commercially available. That is bad news for somebody considering to have layout (module) based on Polish realities. But there is also a good news. Many Austrian (after WW I) and especially German steam locomotives (both after WW I and WW II) were used on Polish State Railways (PKP). So there is a chance to convert Marklin steam locomotives of DB, DR or DRG into locomotives used in Poland. One year ago I would say that this is definitely beyond of my imagination that I might be able to do it. But there must be the first time ... My first target is Ty2 steam locomotive. More about this series: http://www.locomotives.com.pl/Freight Steam Locomotives/Ty2.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PKP_class_Ty2 The base to built this is German BR 52. In this case I decided use Marklin 88832. This is due to the fact that it has "wannentender" used in Poland. The other Marklin BR 52 have condensation tenders - they practically were not used on PKP (Polish State Railways). The good thing is that there are decals easily available for this model (practically the only commercially available decals for Polish rolling stock in Z scale - set for some ex-German locomotives). The base model bought on e-bay looks like this: There willbe much more work than just repainting ...
This is close match due to the fact that Polish Ty2 are German BR52 we got as a part of post WW II reparations. There was also Ty42 type. They were practically the same locomotives but built in Poland using the parts left by Germans in factories on territory of Poland. Of course there were some changest over the years ...
I decided to start with easier (I belive) part which is tender. The whole work starts with the comparison of Marklin model and photos of real locomotive (tender). My approach to differences is as follows: A) To add electric wire (?) on the back side of coal box B) To change the lights - from the back side of the small box at the end of the locomotive to the top of the box. C) To change the location of ledder on the back of the tender and to add ledder on the other side as well D) I am not going to model the make a "hole" on water box. This is remaining of the installation of conductor's cab. Those cabs were practically not in use in Poland. Most of the tenders at PKP did not have this "hole" - they had the same construction as Marklin model. In practical life tenders were also changed between locomotives... I think this is OK. I still do not know if I will try to model red handrails ...
We used to have one of these in the U.K at the Nene Valley railway. I assume its still there but haven't visited for ages. must get there this summer looking forward to your finished model Cheers Kev
Kev, I have found information about this one. It is a former Ty2-7172. It was not sed by PKP but by industrial railway in Silesia area transporting sand to fill in unused parts of coal mines. It came to Nene Valley in 1990 but in 2012 sold to Belgium. Currently used as a "cold monument".
Tender wheels disassembled: The wheels are painted black with white edges: The back side of the tender changes were done. Original ledder has been removed and replaced by new one in correct place and the second one added on the other side of tender. Electric wire added on coal box. Lights have been removed. The new ones were done using pieces of small pipe. I am afraid that they are too small. I think I will have rework them.
What a nice Decapod! My railroad had a few, but they aren't realistic for my specific locale, so I decided long ago I couldn't have one. You're trying to lead me into temptation! Looks like there was some interesting variation in those smoke deflectors.
Well as far as smoke deflectors are concerned Ty2 series had several variation: - no smoke deflectors - typical - flat type: - typical - rounded type - typical - mixed rounded and flat: untypical: Some Ty2 were re-used untypically. New Art. Monument in Wroclaw:
LOL That's even bigger and even more bizarre than the Cadillac Ranch! They say everything's bigger in Texas, but I think you've got Texas beat this time! I hope the Cadillac Ranch doesn't hear about it--they'll do the same thing, and then a tornado will pick it up and dump it on Oklahoma! It ain't easy being Texas' neighbor... 'Untypical' actually isn't an official word in English (or at least it wasn't when I was a kid, maybe it is now--they add stuff to our dictionary every day), but I think we need to create that word just to describe that! I don't know what else to call it...? I love it. Needs a cog rack, though, or it'll never get anywhere. That's a serious grade!
Tender is painted in typical Polish black with some red: I am afraid that lights are still too small for Polish locomotive. I plan to rework it.
It is time to apply decals: : There are also some signs - due to the fact that water used in the tank is not pure there are some white streaks:
Final work with the tender: Red handrails at the end of ater box were added. I also made the lights bigger to look more prototypical to Polish locomotives: The tender is waiting for locomotive to be repainted
While waiting for some 3D small items for the locomotive I started simultaneous project: Conversion of Marklin's German BR24 into Polish Oi2. Some description and photos of original Oi2 can be found here: http://tomi.holdys.pl/index2.php?desc=on&par=oi2-29 I decided to make the locomotive black due to the fact that practically all photos from exploatation time shows that locomotive was painted black. The green version is monument painting scheme used for "cold" locomotive. My job again started with the tender. Starting point: There will be not too many changes. The top light have to be removed. Two bottom lights have to be enlarged and replaced to the top of back box. There will be also some small items added at the end of the tender. Normally they hold additional lights or signals. Primer painting: Black painting - the lights are enlarged and placed on proper position:
To my eye, it looks like you got a good representation of the tender lights. The mineral streaks from the water is a nice touch. I would suggest some paint or at least drybrushing to show a difference between the tender itself and the coal load.
Thank you for the suggestion. Plastic coal load will be replaced by real crushed coal. I will place the photo when it will be ready. I get a closer look at real tender photos to look for inspiration for some weathering in the area next to the coal. I found different shades in the area ... Next steps in Oi2 tender project is to add some red paint - as it is on the original tender:
