So I have a problem, and I'm hoping someone on here will be able to help me. I have two LV Class N1 Camelbacks (2-8-2's) that I'm modeling. I plan on a repower with can motors and flywheel, and possibly PSC Gearboxes too. I haven't gotten that far yet though. Just doing research at the moment. They are Mantua units, and have no valve gear included. I'm told that the N1's used Stephenson valve gear with Alligator crossheads. Here's my question. In all the photographs I can find of N1's, they look just like the Mantuas and appear to have no visible valve gear. I did a search for Stephenson Valve gear, and it indeed looks pretty spartan compared to Baker gear. Is/was there any company that makes HO Scale Stephenson valve gear? Has anyone superdetailed the running gear on one of these models? Obviously the boiler will be a piece of cake to superdetail. Simple removal of the cast in steam lines and appliances and replace with brass components. Thanks in advance for any help you may offer.
Stephenson valve gear The only Stephenson valve gear I saw on a model, was a BRASS engine. That type valve gear operates from cams usually on the front or second driver axle. ( It was binding when trying to run, and I refused the job to free it up or re-build the works. It was quite complicated. ) I had more interesting things to work on at the time. If you have a lathe, and are retired,single, have a steady hand, can design and make your own cam shafts, live alone, and don't window peep or have any other outside interests, you 'might' cobble up something that would resemble what little one could see of the action between the wheels under the boiler. You would probably have to get closer than the "3 foot Rule" to even see any of it. I seem to remember steam camel-backs went out of style, didn't they? There are no diesel camel-backs around here on the BNSF or UP that I have noticed lately, maybe a couple up north.... I'm pulling your leg FM&C ! HA-a-a-a
