Here's a further progress on the ICRR Mike kit bash from a Spec. 2-8-0. My good friend and consumate craftsman, 'Bojangle' did the necessary frame work, etc to install the trailing truck (from a Spectrum 'heavy Mountain'). He also has done some added work on the boiler, including filling in the holes. Next step will be the detailing ... and there will be lots of it!



Lanny

looks like you are off to a good start in your planning. Show us your layout as it progresses.

lanny

Gene,

I remember that 'some' grade crossings remained 'wood tie' style here in Iowa, specially on branchlines or some little used country roads well into the 1990s. I would be glad to be corrected on that, but that is my recollection. I think the mainline crossings were replaced earlier. Frankly, I don't think, depending on your layout scheme and timeline, that wooden tie crossing would be out of place well into the 70s (at least in rural midwest).

lanny

Hi Bill,

Roger is 'right on' regarding the Dremel tool. I didn't use a Dremel and don't think I ever would. The speed alone would probably melt the styrene before making a cut. I used an Xacto saw blade. I know there is a better way to measure, no doubt, but my cuts were 'eyeballed' and very carefully done 'freehand' ... thankfully they came out pretty straight.

I use a 600 emery paper on Green Squadron putty and 'wet sand' ... I think you can get finer as well.

There are two approaches to lengthening the boiler you should consider. Use .030 styrene stock and carefully bend and glue (difficult, but it can be done ... I did it that way).

Or, get PCV piping ... around 1" diameter (you'll have to check your measurements to make sure its accurate ... or perhaps Plastistuc or some other hobby mfg makes styrene tubing about the correct size. In any case, that would be the easiest in forming the boiler curve.

It will be awhile before I get more done because I just sent it to 'Bojangle' for his expertise in doing the chassis lengthening. I'll post something on the forum when I get it back ... but that probably will be 3 or 4 weeks.

Its very scary the first time you 'chop'/'cut' a Spec. boiler , but go slow and it will be fine.

lanny

John,

Since I am a 'standard', 'run of the mill' Yankee ... I'll not try to impress or insult you with my 'slang' version of UK or Canadian dialect.

In simple US midwestern 'on the farm' dialect ... your work is absolutely georgeous! Beautiful stuff on a beautiful layout. Thanks for sharing your photos ... always glad to see more when you post them!

best wishes from the middle of Iowa,

lanny

Quote from: rogertra on October 20, 2007, 10:26:35 PM
One more question about the strips.  About how wide are they?

Hi Roger,

The smokebox strip is .030 x 7/32" white styrene and the rear boiler strip is .030 x 23/32" white styrene.

Gus: Two things ... the photo I included is the completed ICRR Consolidation #908 which required a lot of 'striping' of the Spectrum boiler, adding brass and stryrene correct detail parts (some scratch built), shortening the tender and adding detail parts, and again, scratch building parts (The mechanics of the shortening were done by my good friend 'bojangle')

The photo of the Spectrum Consolidation that I have spliced and stretched is a project I just started. I won't do anymore to it until 'bojangle' works on stretching the chassis and adding the trailing truck. I don't know for sure how he will do that, but will post photos when completed.

I am pretty sure that most everything will be stripped off the boiler for the Spec Connie to Mike conversion and there will be a lot of 'super detailing' and 'scratch building' in this 'kit bash'.

lanny

Hi Roger and all,

Here's a 'new' thread as you suggested, Roger, regarding my 'experimental' kit bash of a Spec Connie into a 'generic ICRR Mike'. In answer to your question, Roger, the front strip is right at 7/32" and the rear strip is right at 23/32". I used .030 styrene stock to cut the strips from. .030 is a little thinner than the Spectrum boiler, though the Spectrum boiler thickness varies a little. The over-all length of my kit bash is very close to the length of the BLI heavy Mike.

These two 'additions' were done in order to get 'close' to the look of an ICRR. However I can't get an 'exact' look of any ICRR series Mikes because most all were Harrimans with 'straight' boilers, slightly taperd inward in the last boiler course to the cab.

The Spectrum Connie boiler is obviously not a 'straight' cylinder ... but I can personally live with that because the valve gear, steam cylinders and cab are very similar if not exactly like ICRR.

I am not a 'measuring person' (I tend to just 'eyeball' things since I am not a 'fine scale' modeler). Thanks to 'Orsonroy' and a couple of my own ICRR CDs, I do have lots of good 2-8-2 photos. And when I have questions ... I just ask Orsonroy - he is a tremendous resource and reference guide!:)

I've posted photos of my #908 but not with the finished boiler. It's all done now and earning 'revenue' on my layout. Here is one photo of the completed unit. I had some great help shortening the tender from my good friend, 'bojangle'.



lanny

Hi adari,

I think from reading many other threads on the Bachmann forum regarding suggestions for 'new steam' locomotives, it would be fair to say that a large number of modelers are looking for smaller, more mundane locomotives than the ones you mentioned (though they certainly are impressive motive power!).

It seems to me that there is a lot of interest in 2-6-0, 4-6-0, 4-6-2 (specially) and 2-8-2 (specially).

I know my friend Gene will probably 'scream' if he reads this ... but I suppose this is about the '450th' time I've mentioned how neat it would be to see a Spectrum Harriman 2-8-2 

Now THAT would be exciting. The option for me is 'kit bashing' the Spectrum 2-8-0 into a 2-8-2 which I am in the process of trying to do (if you are interested in a photo of my start check out the 'kit bashed 0-6-0' thread.

Anyway ... personally, as impressive as 'big steam' is ... I think HO needs more emphasis on Harriman style 4-6-2s and 2-8-2s. (Just my personal opinion)

lanny

Hi Gene,

Sorry I missed you, Gene. We probably wouldn't have been able to enjoy a quality time  because we are 'grand daughter' sitting our 1 1/2 year old and she is keeping us very, very busy    (haven't done much modeling this week

Here is my newest 'kit bash' project now that my ICR #908 Consolidation is completed in cluding the 'shorty' tender.

The Spectrum Connie (which is based on an ICRR Consolidation) is very similar to some of the ICRR 2-8-2 Mike series. I decided to 'go at it' and try to get a 'generic' ICRR 2-8-2. Like Roger  has said, its a matter of courage ... and mistakes too. I'm just starting on a this project and already have made some mistakes, fixed them, and learned.

I should mention that the most difficult part of this one will be extending the chassis to accept the trailing truck, etc. The rest is mostly stripping the boiler and adding appropriate piping, domes, and all the other necessary details.

A very good and very talented friend ('bojangle') is helping me with the frame extension. He is a consumate craftsman and modeler. Having someone like that to help with some of the really difficult parts of kit bashing is a 'great way' to learn!!

Here's a 'just getting started' photo.



lanny

Hi Roger,

I've been 'away' from the forum for awhile and am catching up on messages. Just wanted to say "well done" on your 0-6-0. Your work is very nice. Keep it up!

lanny

Quote from: Jim Banner on October 10, 2007, 09:56:15 PM

As far as adding traction tires to a Consolidation goes, I think it would be relatively simple to modify existing wheels by cutting grooves in them on a lathe.  The hardest part might be locating suitable traction bands.  lanny, if you are interested, email me.  I can supply the wheels if you can supply the bands.

Thank you very much Jim,

I really appreciate your very kind offer and will contact you off line IF I can locate the recent 'tracton tire' mfg that I saw advertise an assortment of tires for diesels and steam. I didn't think much about it at that time so didn't save the ad. But if I find it, I'll surely be in contact with you.

I've added all the extra weight to my Spectrum #908 kit bash, and it still will only pull 3 - 5 cars up my 'too steep' grades. I suppose that enough a 'way freight' that will be 'dropping' and 'picking up' loads on its run, but I would like to up that load capacity a bit if possible.

This has been a very interesting discussion ... as usual, one in which I've learned a lot.

lanny

Virginian or Atlantic Central,

Any suggestions on how/what is needed to get traction tires on the Spectrum 2-8-0? Is is feasible?

Thanks!

lanny

RE: Track Guard ... 

first - I am not being paid for this comment

second - they work fine on my layout (8 x 19) however, I have never tried any other kind of track cleaner except for hand rubbing with a cloth and alcohol.

I am satisfied with the way they clean.

lanny

Hi GG and all,

I've been away for awhile. Sorry to hear about Stephen. I will be praying for his recovery as well. He sure has gone through a lot of tough times.

lanny

Again, with all due respect to Bachmann (and other mfg.) I agree totally with Roger ... I don't think that Kadee couplers (the venerable 'ole reliable' #5) can be beat. And definitely take time to mount couplers/draft boxes to the car.

When properly installed, you will be very pleased with the reliability and quality of Kadde#5s .. or if you are going to do 'scale', Kadee 148s (I think) which are smaller size and look more in scale, but work just fine with #5s and other brands of knuckle couplers.

lanny nicolet