After getting the Oriental Limited 2-8-0, and ignoring the Bachmann one, I decided to take a closer look at the Bachmann and see what needs to be done to make it look more like a family member. The 3 biggest issues with the Bachmann is the running gear, the domes and the cab roor details. Of the three, I feel like I can fix the sand dome, and I have started on the roof.
After a year, I have decided to move forward with this project. I have purchased a pair of practice shells and tenders. My end goal is to model 2829, with a square tender...below is Tony Thompson's great modeling... I am already making progress on this project...
Nice to see that you’re getting back to the project. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I have several modeling projects waiting in the wings as well.
Side View by Noah Turner posted Nov 15, 2021 at 9:49 PM Ive done a similar Project to make a Canadian Pacific M4 from the Bachmann Loco. Contact me if you have any questions or need advice for a specific modification. Hope you enjoy the project as much as I did mine!
I've done one in SP as well. I meant to get it out and take some photos last night but when I get home from work I have a tendency to forget everything that happened there (and there was a bobcat I spotted on the property that distracted me as well). Maybe tonight... Anyway, changing the sand dome, adding DA number boards, and either a Vandy tender or converting the existing tender to oil is usually all it takes to make it appear very SP like. Bonus for replacing the front steps with the T style step and removing the valve gear (which is easy and I did on mine). There is also a SP style cab on Shapeways that I have gotten now but never added to mine (it's to be used on the much more difficult mod to updating the Bachmann 4-6-0 to something that resembles the SP which will pretty much only be using the running gear).
I went rummaging through my old detail parts collection and I found a Detail Associates Sunbeam headlight and a strange round disc, the disc became the oil hatch, and the light is on the back of the tender! I also learned how difficult it is to make a 2mm square for that cab's roof vent. Next I shaved the cab side, and added more putty to get rid of the divot in the boiler. She is rough, but looking right for the job.
