Hi all, I'd like to try my hand at scratch building an O scale steam loco. I have a small mill and lathe (non-cnc) and a 3d printer, but no facilities to cast anything or machine stainless. I'm wondering if there are any sources to purchase steam drivers, side rods, and pilot/trailing wheelsets? Ideally I'd like to attempt something like a 2-8-2 Mikado. Have not managed to turn up much apart from the odd spare parts on eBay. Thank you for any pointers!
Try to email some of the more prominent brass locomotive builders, they seem to always have extra parts available, especially detail items.
Thanks Kurt - when you say builders, are you talking companies or individual people who scratch build and sell? Thanks for the help!
Yes! Try Overland Models, Sunset, and maybe Hallmark. They all build brass O-scale and might have spares. On Ebay you can find alot too by searching under brass locos in O-scale. I've found some good stuff on there.
There's also manufacturers like Precision Scale Co, Kemtron, and even Detail Associates make some. Walthers used to have lots back in the day, but harder to find now.