N Scale PRR Small Steam Options

[randgust]

My bucket list of projects still includes a D16sb - later version with small drivers.   Ran the local through West Hickory in 1927-28 and from what I've see, ran the line until 1937.

But from what I've seen of the MP 4-4-0, not even close on key dimensions.    One of the Atlas forum members had done a great job of one, working in resin and major kitbash.

If you are going to tinker with an Atlas 4-4-0, just use a sharpie to darken in the spokes rather than fighting with those overlays and wheel centers.   It's a pretty good mechanism if you add more weight to the cab and tender.



The coal bunker is a sold metal chunk, and the cab weight is as well - I make those for my performance upgrade kit.

The PRR steam book Pennsy Power by Staufer has all the clearance diagrams in it by class that show the driver diameter, wheelbase, length, etc. that would be critical to figure out what would work with what here on available mechanisms.

[skm]

there is some info on using a Minitrix 0-6-0 to make a PRR B6?

http://www.maxcowonline.com/maxspage/projectFiles.php?projectStringData=picdir%3DPRRB6s%26picidx%3D20%26lastpic%3D7%26picstyle%3D0%26

[eric220]

there is some info on using a Minitrix 0-6-0 to make a PRR B6?

http://www.maxcowonline.com/maxspage/projectFiles.php?projectStringData=picdir%3DPRRB6s%26picidx%3D20%26lastpic%3D7%26picstyle%3D0%26

The Minitrix 0-6-0 IS a PRR B6. It's just tooled to '70's quality.

[skm]

IIRC - didn't Lemosteam offer resin bodies of a small scale PRR Steam Engine?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My bucket list of projects still includes a D16sb - later version with small drivers.   Ran the local through West Hickory in 1927-28 and from what I've see, ran the line until 1937.

Not gonna lie, a D16sb, you know the specific one, is kinda my holy grail... Cause, well, ya know...

Also, an E3, because: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3338034

I'm starting to think there's some real potential juice for those F3s though. Hmm...

Any ideas on if the Bachmann or the MRC mechanism would be a better starting point?

[mmagliaro]

Not gonna lie, a D16sb, you know the specific one, is kinda my holy grail... Cause, well, ya know...

Also, an E3, because: http://rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3338034

I'm starting to think there's some real potential juice for those F3s though. Hmm...

Any ideas on if the Bachmann or the MRC mechanism would be a better starting point?

Looking at the prototype photos in the Carleton book vs the Model Power and Bachmann engines, hands-down the Model Power is much closer.  The valve gear and cylinders on the Bachmann engine are completely wrong.

The boiler and domes aren't perfect on the MP engine, but are pretty close.  It all depends on how fussy you are.  The stack, cab, and front are reasonably close too.   The tender needs a little cutting and trimming, but is close as well.

Of course, you'll have to Belpaire-ize the section of boiler in front of the tab.

The MP 2-6-0 is a beautiful-running engine.  But of course, like all MP steam, it has that rock-hard boiler metal which is hard to modify, and the motor mount/wiring/wiper arrangement inside makes them very difficult to disassemble and work on. 

I only have one of the original-run MP engines to look at in my hand here.  Do the new ones have the promised all-wheels-live tender pickup?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Looking at the prototype photos in the Carleton book vs the Model Power and Bachmann engines, hands-down the Model Power is much closer.  The valve gear and cylinders on the Bachmann engine are completely wrong.

MRC it is then!

The boiler and domes aren't perfect on the MP engine, but are pretty close.  It all depends on how fussy you are.  The stack, cab, and front are reasonably close too.   The tender needs a little cutting and trimming, but is close as well.

How fussy? Not very... As my favorite Youtuber says "good enough for the girls I go out with".

Of course, you'll have to Belpaire-ize the section of boiler in front of the tab.

Well, you'd think... but those are a bunch of pics of wagon top boilers... however, a wagon top just doesn't say "Pennsy" to me.

The MP 2-6-0 is a beautiful-running engine.  But of course, like all MP steam, it has that rock-hard boiler metal which is hard to modify, and the motor mount/wiring/wiper arrangement inside makes them very difficult to disassemble and work on. 

I think that's why I may be avoiding doing any HEAVY work on it.

I only have one of the original-run MP engines to look at in my hand here.  Do the new ones have the promised all-wheels-live tender pickup?

I don't remember. My dad has one of the Americans though. It's decent.

[Missaberoad]

As my favorite Youtuber says "good enough for the girls I go out with".

Is you're favorite Youtuber a Canadian?  One of my favorite sayings...

[nscaleSPF2]

There's this,

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=41739.msg522550#msg522550

Runs really sweet, once I cleaned the "gunk" out of the Bachmann mechanism and relubed it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Is you're favorite Youtuber a Canadian?  One of my favorite sayings...

Yep! AvE: https://www.youtube.com/user/arduinoversusevil

[Ed Kapuscinski]

There's this,

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=41739.msg522550#msg522550

Runs really sweet, once I cleaned the "gunk" out of the Bachmann mechanism and relubed it.

She's splooshworthy.

[Cajonpassfan]

I only have one of the original-run MP engines to look at in my hand here.  Do the new ones have the promised all-wheels-live tender pickup?

Yes Max, they do and they are sweet; mine goes places much bigger power stalls on.... now I got to figure oit what to turn it into...

[Dave V]

What was likely to have survived into 1985?  Probably not an F3.  A D16sb perhaps, but likely the D16sb in question, assuming the RR Museum of PA would have let the NCRR run it versus having it right across the street at Strasburg.

I like the 0-6-0 idea...  B6sb #5244 survived well into 1959 on the Union Transportation Co's railroad and that meshes with the start of the steam preservation effort.  Perhaps she survived to run on the NCRR in 1985...although she wouldn't get very far with that tiny tender.  PRR more than once coupled the tender from an H-class consolidation to a B6sb...  B6sb #60 survives this way at the Wilmington & Western.

Another idea is that perhaps the RR Museum of PA leased other engines from its collection for restoration to operation similar to the Strasburg and #1223 & #7002.  B6sb #1670 resides at the Museum, as does H10 #7688 (Bachmann bash with a new shell), H6sb #2846 (your aforementioned bash using a B6 shell), and larger L1s #520 (Kato/GHQ bash).

But follow your heart.  If the 1223 is your heart's desire, you've already hosted Mad Max @mmagliaro 's D16sb bash which you could dutifully reproduce.

Or switch to HO and get one in brass...  <ducks and runs>

[Point353]

MRC it is then!

Spookshow gives the latest MRC version an 'A' rating:
http://www.spookshow.net/loco/mp260.html

Well, you'd think... but those are a bunch of pics of wagon top boilers... however, a wagon top just doesn't say "Pennsy" to me.

Does this loco not say "Pennsy" to you, too?


http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/prr6151s.jpg

[Missaberoad]

Or switch to HO and get one in brass...  <ducks and runs>