Greetings Folks, With the fun I had with the Nn3 boxcar, I thought I'd start the Porter 0-6-0 kit that I bought at the same time. It's designed to fit over a Marklin tank loco chassis (which I have and runs surprisingly well). It's etched brass and a few white metal castings, which might be the nicest I've ever seen. So far I've folded & soldered the two the main body parts together which took about two hours, 5 minutes soldering, 5 minutes removing parts from the brass fret and the rest of the time adjusting the clamps (cloths pins) to make sure everything was as properly alligned as possible. After I got the main parts assembled I test fit the white metal casting that forms the sidetanks and boiler and it dosen't fit straight by maybe 0.002" or less, so I might have to unsolder the first joint (right at the front) and try again. I filed the little solder bumps (pictured below) flat so they wouldn't interfere. Also, has anyone any tips for soldering white metal to brass? More soon, -Cody
Sorry, I have no tips on the soldering as I'm still too new to have experience with that. But this is fascinating to see - hope you get some tips and continue to update your progress on this project. I'm going to be doing On30 scale but I like to see all things narrow gauge regardless of scale. Are you gonna freelance, or have you settled on a prototype? (if you've posted that info elsewhere sorry I missed it)
Well Cody, I can't help you with the soldering question but I'd like to tell you that you do amazing work. I've seen your Nn3 boxcar and I baffled how you can get so much detail in such a small model. Your skills are WAY beyond just good. I enjoy seeing these pics and hopefully you keep them coming.
It's going to be a freelanced line, somewhere in Mexico or the Southern US. I've been wanting to do some desert scenery for a while, so this is a good excuse to try it out. For the time being, I've started a small 13x15 inch mini layout using the Marklin track that came with the starter set I bought, more like a test loop with some scenery. Eventually I'd like to build a larger Nn3 layout based on the HOn3 Chamatiago & Southern (http://members.optushome.com.au/jdennis/chama/frameset.html), which is 3x6 feet, and I think would reduce well to 2x4 feet in Nn3. -Cody
Thanks Folks, Here's round two: Attached the coal bunker, which was made out of four parts. The hole in the back matches the one on the Marklin body so it should clip onto the chassis the same way as the original body without any modifications. I also drilled #80 holes for the hand rails, this was actually the first step, there are pilot holes for drilling on the inside of the etching. I'll have to redrill one hole on the other side because I accidentally filled it with solder when attaching the bunker. Also attached the roof and did some test fitting of the white metal parts, and on the chassis to make sure everything fits, so far so good! I'm planning to scratchbuild a new pilots to replace the European style buffers. I'm also going to order some parts from Republic Locomotive Works to finish it off, I think a headlight is needed, at least. Then paint! -Cody
Great stuff! Checking on that layout in the link, it's like there's a gazillion different narrow gauges in the Rockies - I think you could just about let your imagination run wild and later on somebody would point out the prototype your freelance was "obviously based on", yet you'd be seeing it for the first time, LOL! Wow, Nn3 in 3x6 or 2x4 is still gonna be a lot of layout. I'm jealous since it'll take more space for me to get in less stuff doing On30, but them's the breaks for me, dealing with advancing age and eyesight. Standing by for the next installment. :teeth:
I shoulda said more about that loco in the last post. It's looking really good at this stage. And you're gonna scratchbuild a leading truck in Nn3? mg: I really like the last pic too, with the earlier boxcar behind the Porter. I think that illustrates one big thing I'm going to like about narrow gauge - every single piece counts for so much. Each one is kind of in it's own "showcase".
I haven't glued in the white metal parts yet, and I'm going to wait until I get some detail parts before it gets painted. I also have the handrails to install. Not a leading truck, just a new pilot beam. Although I remember seeing somewhere on the net, a fellow turning Nn3 wheelsets from styrene rods...! Thanks again! -Cody
Didn't Maerklin just cease production of the chassis for this one? I wish they would just keep producing a bunch and put them in open stock, but I guess that's not in their best interests. Here I am trying to get into Nn3 and it seems that everything is getting stopped.
looks absolutely great!! That is a lot of skill and patients rolled up in one cool lookin project!! Post pics when you paint it. John
Well I think I can say it's pretty much done! I've added a headlight and scratchbuilt pilots. I had to cut off the rear running boards because I made them too long, I'll make new ones once my eyes uncross. I really did like this kit, but I don't know if I'll take on another Nn3 engine project anytime soon! -Cody
Howdy Folks, I'm still fiddling with this every once and a while. I finally finished the rear pilot (added footboards) and added a brass whistle casting from Miniatures by Eric. Took some better photos too... Regards, Cody
