2-10-2 frame build and Brass Castings

[mike_lawyer]

Question - is the modified frame the same length as the stock Kato frame?  It was hard for me to tell from the pictures.

Also, with regard to shrinkage, how will that affect the tolerances and so forth?

[Lemosteam]

Although the frame would lose mass, it almost makes sense to minimize the kato smokebox areas and shave the screw pocket down flush with the screw head so any configuration of boiler/cab would fit over the chassis.  With the extended frame there is likely room behind the motor to add tungsten to compensate.

[mike_lawyer]

Although the frame would lose mass, it almost makes sense to minimize the kato smokebox areas and shave the screw pocket down flush with the screw head so any configuration of boiler/cab would fit over the chassis.  With the extended frame there is likely room behind the motor to add tungsten to compensate.

I'm not sure you want to remove more weight from the front of the loco or add more weight to the rear.  On my I1 with the GHQ shell, the weight is heavily towards the rear.  My fear is that if you remove more weight from the front of the loco, you would create derailments up front because of the weight distribution of the loco.

I usually place my decoders in the smokebox front of the locomotive.  What I do is simply use two pieces of brass strip, insert them into the slots where the light board goes, and then have the decoder soldered to those tabs.  The decoder itself hangs off the front of the loco.  There is not a lot of room, but with a GHQ boiler, it works.

[superturbine]

These issues are no problem.  Changes to a frame can easily be made once in urethane.  As far as front end weight goes I have no problem with removing material at the front of the frame.  Infact, I think its needed, I plan to install a large slug of tungsten on all of my engine.  Currently the engine is rear end heavy.  I like a bias of weight toward the front to avoid derailments.

[mike_lawyer]

These issues are no problem.  Changes to a frame can easily be made once in urethane.  As far as front end weight goes I have no problem with removing material at the front of the frame.  Infact, I think its needed, I plan to install a large slug of tungsten on all of my engine.  Currently the engine is rear end heavy.  I like a bias of weight toward the front to avoid derailments.

Cool.  Do you plan on sending the frame casting to someone else to be made into urethane, or are you doing it yourself?

[superturbine]

I will make the urethane castings and then send them out to be converted to brass castings.

[mike_lawyer]

I will make the urethane castings and then send them out to be converted to brass castings.

Neat.  I wish I had the skills you have.  I can do the frame milling and so forth for a specific locomotive kitbash, but casting frames is a whole other ball game!  I really appreciate all the hard work you are putting into this, and am very grateful.  Thanks on behalf of me and everyone else on this board following this thread.

[superturbine]

Oh man, pressur is on now!! . You have the skills.  If you are able to mill a frame you can do anything. 

[mike_lawyer]

Oh man, pressur is on now!! . You have the skills.  If you are able to mill a frame you can do anything.

Using a dremel to grind down a frame is one thing, making a whole new frame is quite another!

[Leggy]

I have only one question, could this be used for a 2-10-4? If so I'll take one...

[superturbine]

Yes that is the plan and part of the reason for the moving of the rear frame screw location.

[superturbine]

First step...... Success!!  Here is the first copy of the split frame urethane casting which will be converted to brass.

Watch to see it run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7XbjExkUOs



Now to be sent out to be converted into brass castings for 2-10-2’s.

Jason Smith
Tomball Locomotive Works

[RWCJr]

Whoa!!! That is really slick looking!! Great work Jason, congrats, know you were sweating bullets until it came out of the mold. Way to go.
Robert

[Mike Madonna]

Wow! Progress is impressive....

[Cajonpassfan]

Yea, anything Jason does is impressive and the speed with which he does it is beyond my comprehension, but again, it's not like he has a business to run and a house and wife and a bunch of little kids to take care of...but wait, he does 
Well, I'm off to the train room to ponder which project I should think about planning to undertake someday....
Otto K.