Well, at long last... a steam project
Here's the target: SP&S 4-4-2 class C-1. Yep... an Atlantic.
There were 10, built almost identically to GN class K-1.
Since these were GN styled engines, they have Belpaire fireboxes, like the Pennsy. So here is the "victim" that is going to
be converted, a Black River Locomotive Works PRR 4-4-2 E6.
Please.... my PRR mates out there, try not to hate me.
These were built out of pewter with Rivarossi/Atlas parts back in the 90s.
Not many were made. I put a coreless motor + 4:1 gearhead in it years ago. It runs wonderfully.
There are lots of cosmetic changes to be made: angling the cylinders inward, domes, stack, piping, cab changes, and
filing off the cast-on detail to be replaced with separate wire. Remember, this puppy is 1990s vintage, so it needs
updating to bring it up to modern standards of detail.
I am starting with the tender this week, which is a project in its own right. It is a fairly long, large, oil tender.
I started with a Spectrum USRA Long, because it is about the right size. I put in a GHQ oil bunker, with styrene extensions
to get the approximate right length.
Sand off all the rivets and replace/add Archer rivet decals to get the correct rivet pattern. Raise the water hatch up on
some scrap styrene. Bits from the junkbox, including a brass brake wheel, make that brake-wheel-looking thing in the corner
of the oil bunker. I don't even know what it is. But in photos, it kind of looks like that.
Quick shot of black paint, and there ya go.
I got the drawbar altered and the wiring run through, so now it's half PRR and half SP&S.
I think I'll be lowering it on those trucks. I never noticed how high those Spectrum tenders ride... gee whiz.
More to come as the work continues!
