OK, well for better or worse, it's through basic paint. The prototype definitely had a graphited smokebox, but it was so weathered it's easy to miss. By the time I'm done with this after detail paint and weathering I expect it to be similarly grungy. But for now..... Testing for that 'rear angle' shot like the prototype photo angle.... Getting the cylinder saddle fixed was worth it. I haven't had the heart to put in the bullet holes. Even I draw the line there!
:tb-biggrin::tb-biggrin::tb-biggrin::tb-biggrin:WOW! That's looking GREAT! It's come a long way since I first saw it, and I can't wait to see it finished!
Well, SDAE, I first discovered this locomotive when I was about 14, and did my first semi-clunky kitbash of it when I was about 18. I'm 54 now...and the true-to-drawing scratchbuild is finally getting there and has been one of my 'ultimate' N projects that I thought I'd never be capable of doing. Me? Scratchbuild steam? Never... So never, ever, ever give up on your dreams of doing the SDAE roster, just keep sharpening the sword...
FYI it is Pollyscale grimy black - brush applied - on the running gear with Neolube on the rods. The tender shell and boiler are airbrushed with Badger grimy black - which has a better surface for decaling
I like that close coupling of the tender! The N scale fireman won't have to leap across the Grand Canyon to get to the coal pile. Nice Job!!
I was really concerned about this thing negotiating my 8" radius curves with that clearance. I was OK until I added the front tender steps, then it really got close. But it just clears OK, barely. I've tested this thing over and over because once paint hits it I don't like to frutz with mechanical problems on a nearly-finished model. Judging by the lack of information and pictures out there, little Lima rod engines - aimed for the logging and industrial market - weren't really all that common, and those that were labored in obscurity. The Shays and the big stuff got all the press. So the "Lima' look - the signature domes, curved cab window arches, etc., is really the part I wanted to be noticeable in the end. Nobody looks at this thing and can't identify the builder. And the Radley-Hunter stack and the siphon hose scream LOGGER. At some point I'll have to put this beside the original Rapido 2-6-0 kitbash I did back in 1976 so you can all laugh at me....but the intent is to stir the creative juices in those that really do have a favorite locomotive that just isn't made, never will be, and you wonder...if just maybe....if you could find the actual drawings.....
Don't worry, I won't. Two years ago, I had never kitbashed an engine before, and finally got around to building a semi-decent pair of SD&AE C-31's from the bachmann 2-8-0. The bash was minimalistic, but a start. My ultimate goals were an SP tenwheeler and an SD&AE C-8 or C-9 (ex-SP engines). Back then I considered these impossible, but last year I took the two SD&AE c-31's and tried to build the tenwheeler... well, I ended up with one and a half engines that didn't run. Flash forward to today, add some new tools, new materials & methods, a little patience, and loads of experience, and now I have kitbashed both the SP 4-6-0 and SD&AE C-8. I have an SD&AE T-58 #27 in my future plans, and over the years I feel I have the confidance and the ability to someday end up with a quartet of tenwheelers and consolidation sextuplets. As for scratchbuilding steam, I may scrounge up wheels & mechanism parts I have for SD&AE 0-6-0 #1 someday...
randgust that is a excellent job. I just hope some day. I can do that great of a job on some locomotives I want to build for the B&O. Thanks for the info Greg :thumbs_up:
What I didn't know, and what probably bears repeating, is that there's just a ton of resources out there now because of the Internet. I NEVER would have imagined that MY little locomotive on my shortline railroad would still have drawings available that I could buy. I knew the construction number from books that were written. I sent an inquiry letter to the California State Railway museum as they had a lot of Lima drawings: Lima Locomotive Works Collection It took a while, but you just can't imagine the feeling I got when I had, in my own hands, the Lima drawings for this locomotive, dated 1910. That's testimony to every railroad collector, packrat, historian, internet junkie, and modeler, that somehow this stuff is preserved and accessible. So as much fun as it may be to 'freelance' a locomotive or 'kitbash' something, what I've got from this project is on a whole 'nuther level.
I'll put some more posts up later -- I only got one shot off before the last set of camera batteries died until tomorrow, but just want to go on the record and say.... I FINISHED IT....! This has been...OMG....three years since I ordered the drawings.... I can't remember if this was on last years resolutions to finish this thing...but yeah, yeah. It was. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
Congratulations Randy!!! This is one beautiful steamer! This one is definitely being saved for future inspiration!
Looks great as usual. You mastering of the tiny builds is truely a talent. My fingers are too big and clumsy to go that small. Been dropping a lot of small pieces lately. Kids have learned some new words. (unfortunately)
Quick operational video of the locomotive on the ATSF layout, where I can at least pan it (more than 36" of track!) EDIT: put up a better-quality video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtJfRmyF1-o
