PRR BP 20 Balwin Passenger Shark build

[mmagliaro]

John,

I think it's a cool project.  I do love seeing older engines get resurrected and bashed into good running models.
Heck, I've still got an Arnold GP-9 that may be crude by today's standards, but it's remotored and weathered,
and what the heck, it pulls like a bull, so I am completely with you on this project of yours.

The number boards are excellent.

Thank you for photographing and showing the project.  I enjoyed it.

[u18b]

Nice, John!

Ron, PM'd you. I can do some nice new sides out of styrene.

I found them Pete.  Sending you PM.

John, that casting came from splicing together V-Line shells.  Overall, the shells are pretty decent.  But there was one simple glaring flaw-- and you can see it on that BP20 casting.  And you can see it on the V-Line shells.

They left off the exhaust stack.  So the BP20 is missing two (since it is a twin engine loco).

John, you did a WONDERFUL job with that casting.  But you are correct that it has some flaws.  I bet there are people here on this board who could do a better job.

The funny thing is that I have searched through COUNTLESS Pennsy books.  And I have never seen a *good and clear*  roof shot of this loco.   They have to be out there by I have not seen one.   If anyone knows of such a shot, I'm telling you it is pretty rare.   In fact, Diesel Era did an article on this loco--- and no roof shot.

That was one of my hold ups on doing this project.  I wanted to do it 15-20 years ago, but never did.

[u18b]

 Here are some plans.

The exhaust stacks are part number 16.

http://pennsyrr.com/kc/motiveops/bg_bp20/exterior_a.jpeg

And the B unit.
http://pennsyrr.com/kc/motiveops/bg_bp20/exterior_b.jpeg


Here are the poorer quality old MR drawings.
http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=35380&d=1363007681

And here is a nice HO scale brass model.  You can see where the exhaust stacks go.

[brokemoto]

Not a chance, good enough for me.  Pulls like a monster, smooth as glass.  All  parts and work total: $40.

The only thing that it really needs in the paint/lettering would be the Dulux Gold ring around the Keystone herald.   ..........or am I missing something?

[Lemosteam]

Nice kitbash John!  The shell, as you eluded to,  is not quite top-quality, but as log as you had fun doing the kitbash that is all that counts.


Maybe it is, ahem, your equipment? 

Peteski, somehow I missed responding to you.  Apologies.

Thank you, it has been a nice departure from tiny linkages on Kato Mike's!

As I mentioned at first, I did not make the shell, but came across it on Facebook for sale.  Unfortunately, I do not know who made the shell kitbash, but it kind of makes me feel like it was something my dad and I conjured up in the 80's and out of nostalgia, I am finally powering it, 25 years later.  Of course that is not the case, but it gives me the sense that some SPF somewhere cut and spliced this thing, did his best to patch it up, painted it, but not perfect, so I am doing my best not to "fix" those flaws, as if my dad made it and I don't want to take the chance and screw up that memory.  It's more like I want to add my flaws to it.

I know that sounds like a strange sentiment, but many times I feel that way when I am looking at antiques, especially handmade ones.  There is an unknown history embedded in this model and I don't want to disturb that too much.  Who knows maybe the SPF that made that shell lurks here!

[Lemosteam]

Thanks Christian, Scott and Max!

If I make a second, I have more Aksarben shells to use.

Max and all, I appreciate the comments on the number boards.  They turned out much better than I expected.  If you can't light them, this method is a good way to go.  I suppose one could even give an incandescent glow to the numbers before printing them, instead of a pure white, like I used.

[Lemosteam]

I found them Pete.  Sending you PM.

John, that casting came from splicing together V-Line shells.  Overall, the shells are pretty decent.  But there was one simple glaring flaw-- and you can see it on that BP20 casting.  And you can see it on the V-Line shells.

They left off the exhaust stack.  So the BP20 is missing two (since it is a twin engine loco).

John, you did a WONDERFUL job with that casting.  But you are correct that it has some flaws.  I bet there are people here on this board who could do a better job.

The funny thing is that I have searched through COUNTLESS Pennsy books.  And I have never seen a *good and clear*  roof shot of this loco.   They have to be out there by I have not seen one.   If anyone knows of such a shot, I'm telling you it is pretty rare.   In fact, Diesel Era did an article on this loco--- and no roof shot.

That was one of my hold ups on doing this project.  I wanted to do it 15-20 years ago, but never did.

Ron, I didn't do the splicing, I'm just adding some details and powering it.  as to it's flaws see my comments to Peteski.

I do not think this was made from VLine shells as the parent plastic is black, like other Aksarben shells I have purchased in the past.

Also, THANK YOU for all the info- You likely did a lot of research when you were thinking about doing one.  If not thank you even more for coming up with that info on the fly!

The overhead view of the HO model is great and very helpful.

[Lemosteam]

The only thing that it really needs in the paint/lettering would be the Dulux Gold ring around the Keystone herald.   ..........or am I missing something?

brokemoto, you are correct ant that has been annoying me as well.  I am thinking about how I can get it there....

[u18b]

Lemo,

I could have sworn that this was a V-Line product.  There are no discernible markings on the black shells I have.





As for that casting you have, unless it was an actual kitbash of two shells (and not a casting), I remember years ago a guy selling castings of a BP-20 and a few others.  Sold under the name.... something like "Father something."

Anybody else remember better than I?

[sd45elect2000]

Father nature... I always pictured a naked old dude with a glue bottle in his lap making the shells... Bet he still took better pictures than me...

[Lemosteam]

Yeah that;s the same casting, thanks for the pics.  Even the frame snap holes are still there.  If not obvious from the first photos, here are the splices, this is not a casting:



Looks like they shaved off the corners on the radiators too because the grill mesh is still there on top...

[glakedylan]

Ron, PM'd you. I can do some nice new sides out of styrene.

Pete, i would be interested given the price?
thanks!
sincerely--

[haasmarc]

Of course, if it fits an E8 mech it is too short.

I have done some of these and at the time I stretched ConCor PA mechs.  They ran, but not as good as I would like.  I have bought LL DL-109's to stretch which should make for a better running loco.

The shells were done by Pete Peters.

[glakedylan]

I thought about doing one of these for ages.

If have a bunch of V-Line shark shells if anybody wants to try to kitbash one.

I'll let them go very cheap.

Ron

Ron, i would be interested
thanks,
sincerely--

[u18b]

Sorry,
Pete Nolan spoke first.

They will be going to him.