I am soon going to begin my project of bashing an On30 Forney 2-4-4T into the Lawndale #1, an 0-4-4T. For project highlights, I need to a) drop the pilot truck, b) shorten the frame and smokebox just a bit c) modify the tender, and d) modify the steel cab to include a wood panel below the cab windows (the Spectrum wood cab is vastly different than the Lawndale's, but the steel cab is a dead nuts match for window and door pattern.)

My initial project concerns are first, the cost. With the current offering of the two undecorated models, I basically could

a) buy one of each and swap the boiler and cab from the outside frame to inside frame models. Easiest option, but most expensive. From the looks of the online PDF parts diagrams (Thanks for acting on that suggestion Mr. B), this definitely can be done. And definitely expensive!

b) buy the inside frame SR&RL model and hope Bachmann will sell me a steel cab. But I have heard they don't do that? Can anyone confirm?

c) Do the same as (b) above, but hope one of you out there in On30 land have a steel cab you want to trade?

Of course, I could scratchbuild a cab, but I really don't have the talent or time or most importantly, the desire to do so. Not real sure on how easy it is to remove the yellow lettering from the lettered models either.

Anyway, any thoughts on this project before the hacking begins? And yes, I have looked at Grandt Line for additional detail parts, etc, but right now I want to concentrate on the highlights mentioned above.

Thanks in advance for offering your advice.

Matt

Mr. B-

I know that you have nothing to do and lots of spare time :>), but I do have a suggestion- Would it be possible to post the parts sheets/diagrams of your products online? While I am most grateful for your excellent recent offerings such as the HO 4-6-0, 4-4-0, and On30 Forney, the three locos that I am trying to model will require me to buy 2 locos of each and attempt to swap parts. If I could have access to an exploded diagram before purchasing, it would aid immensely in my preplanning and see if what I am trying to do is even feasible. A lot of manufacturers in other industries offer instruction manuals/spec sheets/etc. as downloadable PDF's. As the webmaster for even my company's rudimentary site, it is very easy to do, the biggest problem is just converting your existing literature to a PDF.

In the meantime, can I call the service department and have a diagram emailed or faxed to me?

Thanks again for all your hard work-

Matt Bumgarner

What are the scale driver heights on the 4-4-0?

Are the 4 wheel pilot trucks on the 4-6-0 and 4-4-0 interchangeable?

Will the service department sell separate pilot trucks? I need to get a set with the spoked wheels rather than the solid ones.

Thanks,

Matt Bumgarner