I like the K27 Steam Locomotive but have read about all the electrical problems etc that the models being sold today, both used brass and new versions seem to have. Many of the older brass models and a lot of the new ones have problems that require re-motoring and or adding extra wipers to all wheels. If I was paying that much money for a K27 and then had to spent a lot more just to get it to run well, then why not just build / kit-bash my own and have some fun while I was at it. I have collected a bunch of the old MDC - HOn3, 2-8-0's, in both the Outside Frame and the Inside Frame models. My thought was to Kit-Bash one or more of the "Outside Frame" versions into an engine that looks as close to a K27 as I can make it. By making my own Kit Bash K27 I can create space in it for one of my All-Trol Radio Control w / Batteries Systems. With my RC System I will have "0" current pickup problems as it will require no track power. With a little luck I may even find enough space to add one of the All-Trol Sound Modules. I have been collecting pictures, drawings and related articles about the K27 for awhile. A couple of weeks ago I placed and order with Precision Scale Co. (PSC) for a bunch of K27 related detail parts. I received my order from them in 16 days from the day I placed the order. That was so quick I have to tell you all I was surprised. I had been thinking about how I was going to do this for awhile so when the parts arrived this past Thursday I got started on the frame modifications. 1. I am cutting away the old side area at the rear of the frame so I can attach the "rear frame extension" part from PSC (PSC part # 32426). 2. 3.
7. I cut off the row of leaf spring looking things to help lower the boiler. I have a new set of these springs (PSC part # 32483) that are a bit smaller and will add them to the frame toward the end so I don't break them off while still working on the frame part. You can also see the new Cylinder Blocks like are used on K27 #455 (PSC part # 3213). 8.
9. Test fit for the Boiler. 10. Stock MDC HOn3 and my modified version. 11. Cab on modified frame to see how it looks. 12.
Looks like a lot of work! Are you planning on making an inside valve version? I think you have the cylinder block upside down in your pictures. The larger cylinder appears to be on top which would suggest you have an outside valve cylinder block.
Hi, The K27 had three different "Cylinder Block" styles. My K27 is the "Outside Cylinder Block" version like the following K27's used: 452, 453, 455, 459, 462, 463, and 464. K27 GALLERY http://www.ngtrains.com/Pages/PSC/MMI/K27_outboard/PSC6.jpg
Dan is right, from your pictures you are seemingly going to build an inside valve type. One like 456, for example. But as Dan mentioned, the larger cylinder should be at the bottom. Thus you have an outside valve cylinder block mounted upside down. That is why it looks like an inside valve version now. As a consequence, your cylinder block is now way too far from the rails. This will alter considerably the appearance of the normally rail hugging mudhen.
OK Thanks, I see what you are talking about. I have the cylinder block screwed into the boiler in the correct position at this time. I knew it was correct now so I didn't even go back and look at the early pictures. When I was taking the pictures I dropped the chassis and I put the cylinder block on upside down. I didn't notice the picture had it upside down until just now. I will post some new pictures later and change the old ones. The new pictures will show the correct position. Note: I have changed a few of the pictures.
Hi, Thanks, it did look a bit odd upside down. I have been working on the front part of the frame / chassis. I cut off the old MDC Pilot and space between the Boiler and the Pilot. I have added a couple more PSC parts (PSC Frame and Deck, front part #32425 and PSC Pilot part #3218). This modification took a bit of cutting and filing. I still have a little more work to do as I figure out how. 13. 14. 15.
Thanks Kaiser, I spent a bit more time tonight attaching the front truck and a set of wheels. This is another PSC part (PSC Truck, lead, less wheels, part #3010). I am also trying to get more light on the model so my pictures are better.
It's beginning to look like a steam engine again. Though the proportions on the boiler are not quite right for a K-27. There was a version with a long smoke box, but most had the stack further up front. At any rate, this will be an interesting model.
Thanks for looking. I haven't done anything to the stock MDC Boiler yet. It is just sitting on the chassis. I thought I had mentioned what I was using for my reference material but looking back over the first post I see that I didn't. In 1973, Model Railroader Magazine had a two part article about the K27 (March and June). In both parts they had a 3 or 4 page foldout with K27 scale drawings (1/4" to the foot). The article talked about the three main versions of the K27 and had a set of drawings for each along with some very good pictures. The examples for each of the three types are shown with plans for numbers 450, 453, 460, and 461. The plans are very complete and have dimensions which I have been using. My plans show two different stack locations. One is about 2.5 feet back from the front and the other one is about 4 feet back. That is measuring from the middle of the stack forward. The MDC model is about at the 4 foot mark so if I model #455 I will move it forward. I have spent most of the day working on how I am going to mount the motor that will power the model. That is going slow and I am not finished with it yet.
I have been working on how I am going to mount the models motor. I am using a sort of small "can motor" but the bracket that hold the transfer gear in place and the lower boiler don't want to co-habitat. I decided to mill out some of the metal from the "inside front" of the boiler to give me the space I needed. 19. Motor install and tested to see how it runs. Runs Ok. 20. 21. Before, the drive gear bracket has no space to fit inside the front part of the stock boiler.
22. Milling some metal from the inside of the boiler so the bracket on the drive gear fits inside the lowered boiler. The wooden jig has holes for both the steam and sand domes to sit in and the boiler is screwed into the piece of wood to keep it from moving. 23.
24. Boiler modified for the extra space necessary for the drive gear bracket. 20. Before, 25. After, the drive gear bracket now has space so the boiler is back in its lowered position. 26. The difference between the stock boiler and the milled out modified boiler.
