So I am starting another locomotive build, even though I have not finished any of the others I have started. I am building this because of the voices in my head, and I have been going thru my dad's collection, and because Rob's effort on his Mikados. I have no need for this 4-6-2 in my collection, so I won't be keeping it. After having looked at This Marklin 4-6-2 #8893, and looking thru MR's Steam Locomotive Cyclopedia, I decided that this Marklin shell can easily be modified to look like a GN H4. We'll start with the loco, I have already removed some items, and will be sawing and filing off some more. Next is my plan of attack, noted and sketched. Below that is the prototype in layout. Scott
I got to sneak some time in around yard work last night and this evening. I'm adding a shot of the loco as is for a starting point. I forgot to mention last post, that I filed down the top of the stack to the correct height and reduced the diameter of the lip around the top. I removed more cast in details, as well as the cab. The discarded parts pile to the right. After some thought I will be cutting off the wide boiler area (shiny portion) and replacing it with a block of aluminum. I've lined up the cast detail parts I'll be using for the 4H transformation. Next steps are to cut off wide boiler, remove one dome, file down the other dome, and drill out smoke box. Scott
Dave, Almost, just earlier! Thanks for the color shot. Looks like I'll need to find green paint. Interesting that the cab is angled on this one. This must be a later conversion because of the handrails, cylinder mods, booster and reversing unit. Scott
I believe it was the Rocky Mountain Div. that painted they're locos in these colors. The boiler and piston jackets are "Glacier Green", and the roof is "Omaha Orange". Some of the Cascade Division locos adapted this scheme as well.
I think the loco was repainted into its original scheme, but not certain. The loco spent most of it's time in South Dakota.
I got some time to work on the H4 at lunch and last night. I am working on the Belpaire boiler section. I cut a small block of aluminum on the bandsaw and I am shaping and smoothing with files. Scott
Made a bit of progress in between this weekends activities. I shaped the Belpaire boiler, and notched out the bottom of the boiler to fit over the existing running board and to accommodate scrap filler sections of running board. If you noticed in this and the last post, I've included the front of the cab in the Belpaire boiler section. I plan on filling a step into the cab front that the cab shell can fit over. I hope this will be a stronger joint in the end. I also sanded-off the details on the cab and opened up the windows. Scott
Nice progress on your shell. I thought the cab might be kind of small, but I didn't realize the Belpaire firebox had some of the cab length on it. Are you going to be able to get windows in the front of the cab through the Belpaire part?
Rob, Thanks. Regarding the windows, I do plan on drilling and filing windows thru the front. We'll see how it goes. Joe, Thanks for the compliment.
A little more progress today. Filed a step into the Belpaire boiler to fit into the cab. I enlarged the rest of the windows. Fit the scrap running boards in as fillers. Cut and curved a thin sheet of aluminum for the roof. I also was trying to figure out how to create the base for the domes. Then it hit me, use a flathead screw turned upside down. I turned down the head, on the drill press, to the correct diameter, and the filed a round cut thru with a rat tail file. I'll cut the threads off tomorrow. Still need to get the dome(s)? off. Scott
Rather ingenious idea with the screws for base of domes. Are are a machinist or a tool and dye maker by chance Scott?
Joe, Thanks for the compliment! No, I am a Product Designer by trade. But I have been working in some kind of shop since 7th grade. I have always liked making things. Scott
