ATSF 4-6-4 Blue Goose fully skirted and deskirted available ATSF N Scale Models

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

ATSF 4-6-4 Blue Goose available in 2 versions: original (fully skirted) and final (partially deskirted), available from ATSF N Scale Models.
Both versions are resin castings (shell and tender). The chassis can be a modified Concor 4-6-4 Hudson or a (heavily) modified Kato 4-8-4 FEF.
The Concor is the easier modification but lacks to correct size drivers, the modifications to the Kato chassis are quite extensive, but with almost correct size drivers.
Both chassis are good running/pulling engines and in the tender is ample room to add a sound decoder and speaker. 
A complete description of the Concor conversion and many more pictures are available on WWW.ATSFNSCALEMODELS.COM
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[ncbqguy]

Now we need a CB&Q clone of Dirk to work up separate versions of the Aeoli....Aeolus 4000 and Aeolus 4001.  I’ve got enough drawings and photos and an HO brass model to base the 3D CAD work on.....if anyone is interested.

I should add that my comment is triggered by envy....the Blue Goose shells are gorgeous!   Would the Bachmann 4-8-4 trailing truck work?
Charlie Vlk

[peteski]

That is a gorgeous shell (and tender).  Too bad that the donor mechanism uses those ugly plastic siderods.  That IMO ruins the entire model. Makes it look like a child's push-toy from Walmart toy, or a Hallmark Christmas tree ornament.

I was never a fan of plastic siderods, even when these locos were new.  IIRC, early Bachmann Northerns also had plastic siderods - never liked those either.  Which is strange because most N scale steam locos (even early Arnold and Minitrix) used finer lookign metal siderods.

Nothing against your excellent modeling - the mechanism is also good mechanically - just the siderods are sub-par.  Isn't  there another mechanism with better  looking siderods that could be adapted for this shell?

[sd45elect2000]

That is a gorgeous shell (and tender).  Too bad that the donor mechanism uses those ugly plastic siderods.  That IMO ruins the entire model. Makes it look like a child's push-toy from Walmart toy, or a Hallmark Christmas tree ornament.

I was never a fan of plastic siderods, even when these locos were new.  IIRC, early Bachmann Northerns also had plastic siderods - never liked those either.  Which is strange because most N scale steam locos (even early Arnold and Minitrix) used finer lookign metal siderods.

Nothing against your excellent modeling - the mechanism is also good mechanically - just the siderods are sub-par.  Isn't  there another mechanism with better  looking siderods that could be adapted for this shell?

I wonder if Alclad could be sprayed on the rods? I know that is certainly what I would try.

[nickelplate759]

That is a gorgeous shell (and tender).  Too bad that the donor mechanism uses those ugly plastic siderods.  That IMO ruins the entire model. Makes it look like a child's push-toy from Walmart toy, or a Hallmark Christmas tree ornament.

I was never a fan of plastic siderods, even when these locos were new.  IIRC, early Bachmann Northerns also had plastic siderods - never liked those either.  Which is strange because most N scale steam locos (even early Arnold and Minitrix) used finer lookign metal siderods.

Nothing against your excellent modeling - the mechanism is also good mechanically - just the siderods are sub-par.  Isn't  there another mechanism with better  looking siderods that could be adapted for this shell?

the original MRC/Rowa 2-8-4 and 2-8-8-4 had plastic siderods, but when Rivarossi took those over they moved to metal.  I have examples of both 2-8-4s, and also prefer the metal.

[peteski]

I wonder if Alclad could be sprayed on the rods? I know that is certainly what I would try.

Even if they were the right color, they are still too clunky and crude looking.

The valve gear plays a very important role in the overall appearance of a steam loco's model.


Granted, this is a brass model, but most N scale steam locos have metal siderods almost as fine as the ones on this model.

[Dirk Jan Blikkendaal]

All comments on the siderods are true...... they are not the best looking to say the least.....
Problem is there are no other 4-6-4's around with large drivers........ good running, in quantity and at a decent price.
And the drive wheels of the Concor are too small in fact...... the mechanism is VERY GOOD though and conversion is not too difficult.
I tried (and succeded) to adapt the Kato 4-8-4 FEF but thats a major rebuild...... I cannot recommend it to everybody....
Result is a much better looking running gear (almost correct  size drivers) and also a good running model but the price is quite a bit higher unfortunately.
Look at my website to see pictures of the Kato conversion besides (in comparison to) the Concor model.
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[thomasjmdavis]

Based on the photos in Stagner's Santa Fe in Color Vol. 1, (pp 46-47), the siderods were, at least by 1948, pretty grimy. Even just leaving Dearborn..  I think getting enough grimy/oily black on them, and other weathering, is probably going to mitigate any issues with the siderods and mechanism.  In any case, I would not be troubling myself with Alclad

It never occurred to me to etch my own siderods for my elderly Hudson, but could this be done for/by those who are concerned over plastic siderods? (It seems like it would not be that difficult, but I may well be missing something that would be obvious to someone with more experience in etching and/or model steam)

Here is a handy, somewhat overexposed, flickr photo (not mine)- https://www.flickr.com/photos/sooliner/8474067045/

[ncbqguy]

Most metal side rods don’t have enough depth or thickness.
As to the look of the plastic rods....with a few exceptions, the rods on real engines were painted and some had the raised areas polished steel...not plated chrome or stainless.  Check in-service photos of your prototype.   Most model running gear looks Lionel-Like.
The Con-Cor valve gear and rods were pretty good...very few problems and they held up much better than MRC or Bachmann plastic.
Charlie Vlk

[kiwi_al]

Ooooh that's purdy........ I want the precious!   

[altohorn25]

I wish Dirk's locomotive shell would have been around when I bought his tender shell and kitbashed this - it's ok, but his loco shell would make it so much better.  I don't have the heart at the moment to swap it out.....

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