This arrived with the Madame Queen shell from Adam (drasko). It has a lot of fine detail is is very accurate, it's modelled on #1491. The challenge is to find a mechanism for it, the Bachmann K4 4-6-2 has the correct size drivers but the Bachmann is quite pricey. I have a set of K4 drivers so I will probably make a custom mechanism for it. So this is the start of building ATSF 1491. The cool thing with this shell is that the number boards have 1491 printed on them Proto Photo: http://m.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4975837 The headlamp became detached during transit to NZ, fortunately it left a couple of nubs where it should go. I will glue the headlamp back when it's almost finished to lessen the risk of it coming off Shell:
Many years ago I had an old Atlas/Rivarossi Pacific where the frame had crumbled due to zink pest. I was able to fabricate a new frame out of strip brass to hold two of the drivers and the rest of the bits to create a 4-4-2. Shortened the shell and came up with a passable stand-in. Slippery little devil.
Wonder if aa Model Power 4-4-0 chassis would fit? You'd have to fabricate the trailing truck though. But if you can find one, they were available with DCC/sound.
You could use a Model Power 4-4-0 - the driver size is a close match. From memory the Model Power steam usually has the motor mounting partly cast into the metal boiler which makes it more difficult to do a shell swap.
I have a bunch of parts on the way from Bachmann which should result in a running mechanism for the 4-4-2 after I shorten it
I ordered the parts on 22 August from Bachmann USA, today is the 28th August and it hit NZ Border in just 6 days. Gobsmacked!
The Bachmann parts arrived today, that was fast!! I need to thin the whole mechanism by about 1 - 1.5mm each side before I shorten it, then I'll shorten the mechanism and test fit the shell. Add all the parts and hopefully have a running 4-4-2
First thinning of the mechanism, I disassembled the mechanism out of concern I might take too much off and swipe the motor. I've taken enough off so it's a just fit but I need to take some more off as the spacers aren't in and will add about 0.5 mm to the width. then I need to shorten it, which does have some issues with the motor location and screw hole location - it will throw a few challenges.
I've taken a bit more off the sides, so now I'm ready to shorten the frame. Hopefully tonight there'll be some cutting!!
Well to get the shell to sit down lower on the K4 mechanism I'm going to have to mill so much that I won't be able to use the Bachmann Motor. However if I make my own split frame mechanism out of brass I should be able to use the K4 motor and rearrange the gears to suit the lower height. So I have my cake and eat it too
This will be fun to watch! I have contemplated the same for some build I would like to do, so am waiting with great anticipation!
I have now had some spare time, so I've mocked up some styrene and added some cut outs for the drivers. I'm using 1.5mm styrene sheet for strength. I haven't as yet boxed it in it's just two bits of styrene with drivers fitted so I can get a sense of where things should fit. I will move to brass when I've got the wheels fitting correctly and the front and trailing trucks in the correct position. This will take a bit of time. The shell is sitting too low the cow catcher is hitting the deck!!
I've mocked up the styrene chassis (mech) - it's a bit low but it's looking a bit better. I still have to narrow it some more so that the drivers locate properly but it's progress.
I've placed the front and rear trucks underneath the shell and styrene chassis to see if it looks somewhere near the prototype. It's fairly close - needs a bit of work.
