The bionic Atlas 4-6-2. I resurrected this project which has been sitting in a box in pieces for probably five years now. This engine was pretty much in kit form when I got it from the TB classifieds. (remember this one Flash?) There was an N Scale of Nevada retro frame, a Sagami motor and an Atlas Pacific with a seriously deteriorated frame. As I studied the retro frame and how to install the motor I noticed there was room for a nice sized flywheel, Hmmmm... A post on TB, a few PMs and lo and behold, a custom turned flywheel. (thanks Russ) The plastic worm coupling was removed and the flywheel installed in it's place. I also removed the inner bearing plate from the brass cartidge that holds the worm. This is exactly the same principle used by Ron Beardon on the Atlas Geeps. The worm and the flywheel now spin on just the motor bearing and the outer worm bearing which let it run quite smoothly and quietly. Now on to the tender. In keeping with the general theme of build it from stuff on hand, it will get a shortend drawbar, Kato caboose trucks and a decoder salvaged from the 44 tonner upgrade. With the additional weight, it's going to be fun to see how this old girl pulls. Jim
I'm trying to get a clear coat mixed together to get to get a stainless look on passenger cars. I'll post pics after it dries.
SP&S 743 is the second of two I've just finished. SP&S 743 was a NP 1200 series 'hack' and had a wider platform add to the cupola sides.
Wow. One heck of a kitbash and far beyond me. The weight appears to be mostly over the rear driver so it should pull very well. I am very glad someone has some use out of this engine. I, too, am looking for other engines where the Ron Beardon principle can be applied. There are possibilities.
Yikes, we let this thread slip back to the 8th page of the N scale forum! Well I'll get her back on the main page by sharing what I've been working on the 2nd annual winter party. This started out as a scrap 4-4-0 with only a single intact tender truck. What I did was rebuild two new tender trucks to use pointed axles for power pickup. The original trucks are terrible, even when factory new. They provide poor power pickup and don't really roll at all. The problem is the tender trucks and wheels are tiny. So I had to grind down a regular 33 scale inch wheel from .205 inches to .128 inches. And I had to do that 8 times. Well it worked and I was able to accomplish the task quite precisely. But then I needed trucks. I used brass sheets and PC board so that each rail remained insulated, yet I could simply solder each side of the truck together. Finally I rigged up contacts from truck to motor, which is a new 5 pole motor instead of the factory 3 pole. After some final tuning to get her to ride properly Ill wager this once scrap 4-4-0 against a factory 4-4-0 any day. Here she is just after fine tuning. And here with a base coat of paint on the new features. Details and adding a working headlight will be posted next.
Here's two more shots of my 4-4-0 with a new handrail. See the post 96 of the 2nd Annual Winter party if your interested in how I did this.
I just saw this thread and I haven't done much with the holidays around but I did start these last year. I have a couple of 50' gondolas that are painted black and waiting to get the Gulf Mobile and Ohio treatment along with so far six 90 ton hoppers that are also painted black and waiting to be lettered GM&O I will have a total of fourteen hoppers and last but not least we have four CSX COKE EXPRESS hoppers also waiting to be finished and no I did not use play-doh to put these hoppers together (in the background) those are my sons.
*bump* Tonight I made it one step closer to finishing my "New" 4-4-0 project. She arrived at the paint shop and got her first burst of new paint! I love how much that reverse rod adds to the picture! So is that a whistle lever on top of the cab? I saw one in a picture and figured, why not. No idea what it actually is but sure looks like it controls the whistle. I also painted those old red wheels black as well as the tender. I'm going to let this set overnight then tomorrow I'll go back and touch up all the bells and whistles and such.
I'm actaully building my first laser kit. It's called Greg's Saloon and is from RSLaser Kits. I'm almost done and I am actually pretty surprised that it came out pretty good for my first time. Total rookie here with this stuff but it's a lot of fun. Just takes tons of patience. I'll post a picture of the finished product. Here is a pic of the buildoing from Rich's website...
An Atlas/Kato loco, receving a new Atlas scale speed motor, and a TCS Z2 decoder. I am going to mill the frame right above the motor to accept the decoder, this will allow me to use the original Atlas light boards.
My latest project was building a McDonalds kit I picked up on Feebay quite awhile back it was a fun little build. Wish I had put some figures in it before I CA'd it together though:tb-biggrin:
I really think that came out quite well; and wouldn't have know it was your first by the looks of it. Keep it going looks like you have a knack for them
Trackside Jack's I'm working on the Bar Mills Waterfront Willy's/Trackside Jack's kit. The four main walls are done, including doors and windows, and bracing for the interior flooring. I'll be detailing the interior, and lighting the upper floor.
You work fast Tracy. Takes me weeks to get one little thing done but then I'm really new at it. maybe I'll get faster as I gain confidence. Willie's is looking good! Well done.
Thanks Tracy. I have a lot to learn. I ordered another kit today and will attempt to weather it. I'm a little worried about it but we'll see how it goes. I ordered some Bragdon weathering powders and now have to figure out what kind of acrylic paints to buy. Was poking around Michael's today. That stuff is kind of pricey. Any suggestions?
Good job there Glen. "Big Macs" is always a fav. It looks darn good on your layout. Who makes that kit?
