UP 4-12-2 Build

[Philip H]

I have a hard enough time replicating specific diesel locomotives . . . superturbine if ever there was someone who needed to publish steam builds in the rags, I'd so you would be in my top 3.  And the other two gave you mad props . . .

[Norway2112]

Nice video, proof she runs smooth and pulls like a bulldog!

[mmagliaro]

Yes, Jason, it looks so much better in a close-up photo!
I wonder if that thing can pull 100 cars.  I don't believe I have ever seen an N Scale steam loco that could quite hit the 100 mark.

[RWCJr]

Thanks for the closeup photo. NOW that paint job can be shown off!

[superturbine]

Thanks to everyone for the overly kind words.  The close up photos reveal flaws which I will try and correct on this engine and surely correct on the next.  On a past post I said it was done..... not actually.  Still many more details, but the enginw could be presented as done.

Max-  if a Big Boy will not haul 100 cars I dont think the 9000 will either... but I will get a gearhead motor and give it a try on a later model.  I suppose I am happy with 30 cars up grade and I know it will pull a lot more.


Again thanks to everyone.

[mmagliaro]

Hi Jason.  I think the paint finish looks much better in the close photo, especially that smokebox.  I though the far away shots had too much shine or glare on the boiler, but in the close-up, it looks great.

[superturbine]

Max... the paint was still wet.  I was still installing details at 12:00 that night and shot pics at 1:45.  And I had a 1000 watt bulb on the engine.  Its a little shiny... but freshly shoped.
 
Thanks
Builders photo.

[Scottl]

Late to the game here, but I'll add to the chorus of compliments.  That is a spectacular unit to be heading any train.  You have done an excellent job.

[Mike Madonna]

Thanks guys for the complements.... Here is an up close shot

What a "brute"... impressive look, impressive work. Much like a "Flat Face" cab-ahead, not "pretty", but more of a "signature" look, IMHO.

[peteski]

That is some incredible modeling Jason!  And no, I'm not just saying that to be nice - I'm in awe!  My jaw has hit the floor!

[Loren Perry]

Max-  if a Big Boy will not haul 100 cars I dont think the 9000 will either... but I will get a gearhead motor and give it a try on a later model.  I suppose I am happy with 30 cars up grade and I know it will pull a lot more.

In the 1990's, I rebuilt an N-scale Rivarossi Big Boy with a Sagami can motor and additional lead ballast until the engine alone weighed about 6-1/2 ounces. I also replaced the stock traction tires with Fleischmann traction tires (bought at Allied Trains in Culver City, CA) and equipped my entire freight car and passenger car fleet with Micro-Trains low-profile wheels.  While operating at the Belmont Shore Lines club in the Los Angeles area, this engine could regularly pull 108 1950's type freight cars around the layout. The original motor could do this too, but it eventually burned out due to overload, hence the Sagami replacement. The addition of low-profile wheels reduces drag so an engine can pull about 25% more cars than cars with standard pizza-cutter wheels. I eventually reached the point that accidental coupler disconnects were the limiting factor as to the number of cars I could pull with the Big Boy. I still have that engine though it doesn't see much action on my L.A. themed layout.

[superturbine]

A second 4-12-2 has now been built with multiple upgrades to boiler, cab and tender casting.  In addition, improvement have been made to the mechanism over the first engine, mainly to how the valve gear assembly is braced.  The first engine 9079 has been repainted with a mixture of engine black and weathered black.  Here are the two meeting on Sherman Hill. 
My first 4-12-2 and the first 4-12-2

Jason Smith
Tomball Locomotive Works

[robert3985]

I am freaking impressed!  Close ups, close ups please!

[superturbine]

Thanks Robert....
Here it is.... Of course I am not really done

[Hornwrecker]

Amazing.  If I didn't know what forum this was in, I couldn't hazard a guess as to what scale this beast was.