There is a person known as "superturbine" who posted just above. You can PM him and he can answer your questions. Carl
Short update on my AC-9 build. Been shaving the mechanism to accept the boiler. Lot of adjusting to do and parts to add. Nothing glued as yet while test fitting. Need to straighten piping on fireman's side. But I am getting there as the boiler, after some cleaning, is ready for paint. Any suggestions are truly welcome. Lot's of fun.............. Carl
Carl, I've been following this thread with interest, as I too have several of Jason's shells in various stages of reconstruction. It's harder then it looks, especially grinding down perfectly good mechanisms, unless your name is Superjason :wideeyes: She's looking good, the only comment I'd make is that the platform ands pilot seem to be sticking out too far forward; I do realize the pilot truck needs to clear. Attaching a photo for your enjoyment, courtesy the John Berriger collection, with an AC 9 on a HW passenger train! Have fun, Otto K.
Thanks for the kind words guys, I appreciate them. Otto, I know what you mean about Jason, he has really helped me. I too had reservations about shaving the mechanism but I started yesterday and I pulled a real dumb stunt and thought that I had ruined the entire project. I had a wet towel wrapped around the mech to hold it and to dissipate the heat. well I got my dremel wrapped into the towel and it threw the whole kit and caboodle to the garage floor at a high rate of speed. Holy c _ _ p, I thought the worse and in fact it dislodged a part from the rods and bent a couple of them. I managed to get the part reattached and rods straightened and tested on my bench. Seems to run OK. Oh, what a relief it is. Yes, the pilot was just propped up for photo and yes it needs to back further. Thanks for the picture, I saved for reference. Don't know where that was shot but the overpass looks just like one that used to span the El Paso yards back in the 40's but then I suppose that was a very typical style used everywhere. thanks again. Carl PS - Yes, Otto it is much harder than it looks. Jason makes it look like a cake walk and for him it is but for me and my 73 year old fingers it is not.
Here are a couple of shots that show how much shaving I have done on the EM-1 chassis. I may need a tad bit more, not sure where. Will the EM-1 ever run again. heck no, it will be an AC-9....................................... Will it run again? I think so! I am having fun, and lots of it, on this project. I have shaved the B'mann tender chassis and fitted the AC-9 tender to it, all looks ok. I am waiting to receive the Loksound decoder and then I should be on the downhill side. I may be able to put final black paint on everything next week and then decals. if dust does not blow. Carl
Quick update as I have painted the tender and boiler with black and then gloss to have a smooth surface for decal work. I know the images are not the best but you can see my madness and the fact that I have not quit on the project. After the decals are all applied and pilot is completed I will weather the loco quite heavily. I don't know, maybe 3809 was one of the last to run on the Modoc? ? ? Somebody asked "Why?" heck I don't know maybe the devil made me do it! ! ! Most likely "cuz" I wanted. Carl
The last images posted of the AC-9 were in gloss black paint so that I could apply decals well. I have since sprayed tru-color grimy black and weathered black very lightly. I was ready to dry brush and do some chalks but realized that I have not applied handrails/ladders on the cab. That will be next. I still have not finished the pilot. I know, the boiler is not sitting properly on the chassis and the tender is a low rider. I will have to re-apply #'s to the boards and I am leaning towards a train #, such as I-943 and put green lenses in markers, as opposed to X3809. Main thing is I have not quit on the project, just too many other projects such as a new body load and pup tanker. Carl Will I finish ? - I must. Will it run ? - Quien sabe !
Thanks Mike, it needs a lot more work but I'll get there. BTW, you can say it. S.., S.., St.., Ste.., STEAM ENGINE. Now that didn't hurt, did it. Carl
Just to show that I have not given up on my project here are some images. The thing has not been put back together. I need to start weathering the drivers, rods, steam chests, all of the exposed running gear. I think I will use Neo-lube. The tender is ready to buckle up, I have had two different decoders in it but pulled them and am waiting for an ESU to be returned to me. The front porch is ready to attach and then the boiler will be ready to install after I apply train numbers and green lights as well as using pastels on it to dirty it up. I used Tru-color Grimy Black but it came out pretty much gray but after more pastel grime I think it will be ok. The photos also showed me some places that need touch up paint on the porch. The headlight may look a little strange but I could not use the cast one so I had to make one, it does have an led in it. I do have the correct pilot truck with side frames for it. Please excuse my lack of photography skills. I am fairly happy with results so far as my 74 year old eyes and fingers are a real challenge. Thanks for looking Carl
Ok Carl, Your second AC-9 boiler will soon be leaving Tomball Locomotive Work. Boiler has been test fitted. Ladder to properly finish off both builds are included. No pilot truck casting yet.... I still need to get that done.
