3 Railed! US Hobbies NYC H10b class Mikado….. Tales From Harmon Shops

@harmonyards posted:

Thank you!…let’s see a picture of this PRR locomotive,….I have no clue what one even looks like,….but if measurements can be made, so can the model…😉…post it on this thread ….

Pat

I think the Pennsy F3 was a rather small (?) 2-6-0 Mogul type... sure would like to see you get your hands on one. 🙂

Mark in Oregon 🎄

That's awesome!  Congrats on a beautiful conversion.  Looks like it runs great!  Now if I could find someone to convert some 3 rail engines to 2 rail!

This is the Gem PRR F3 Mogul.  You'll have to pry it out of my dead cold hands to 3 rail it though! 

If you find one, the later models are a bit better.  They come with a can motor already.  I think these would be fairly easy to three rail.  A reasonable price on one is about $400.  They originally were offered as screw-driver kits.  I plan on updating mine with a generator and electric headlight for a later look.

Beautiful...👍

Mark in Oregon 🎄

@roll_the_dice posted:

That's awesome!  Congrats on a beautiful conversion.  Looks like it runs great!  Now if I could find someone to convert some 3 rail engines to 2 rail!

I can go either way,….when I retire from the day job next November, I’ll have more time to dedicate to the custom railroad work,…including swaps in either direction,…I can make tires and swap 3 rail driver sets to 2 rail,…..just right now that’s not something I can do in a timely manner,….but when I retire, it’ll be everything O scale,..2 rail, 3 rail, narrow gauge, and all …

Pat

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@GG1 4877 posted:

This is the Gem PRR F3 Mogul.  You'll have to pry it out of my dead cold hands to 3 rail it though! 

If you find one, the later models are a bit better.  They come with a can motor already.  I think these would be fairly easy to three rail.  A reasonable price on one is about $400.  They originally were offered as screw-driver kits.  I plan on updating mine with a generator and electric headlight for a later look.

Looks like a 3 rail Mogul chassis to the rescue, or 3 rail that chassis, depending on WB  ……I would swap that in a heartbeat,…..no worries now that I know what it looks like,….😉

Pat

@harmonyards posted:

I can go either way,….when I retire from the day job next November, I’ll have more time to dedicate to the custom railroad work,…including swaps in either direction,…I can make tires and swap 3 rail driver sets to 2 rail,…..just right now that’s not something I can do in a timely manner,….but when I retire, it’ll be everything O scale,..2 rail, 3 rail, narrow gauge, and all …

Pat

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That will be great...I see you busier in retirement than in working your day job!  I am in no hurry... I will bookmark this thread for next November.   Or if you want to do one now and take your time I am down.   The only Southern (Crescent engines) I see in 2 rail are way out of my price range at $2500 or more, but they are abundant in 3 rail at reasonable prices.  This gives me hope!

@roll_the_dice posted:

That will be great...I see you busier in retirement than in working your day job!  I am in no hurry... I will bookmark this thread for next November.   Or if you want to do one now and take your time I am down.   The only Southern (Crescent engines) I see in 2 rail are way out of my price range at $2500 or more, but they are abundant in 3 rail at reasonable prices.  This gives me hope!

Yep, I’d agree with that, you’ll just have to be ok with captured axles, ain’t giving those cast frames full suspension systems,

Pat

Pat,

About retirement, it's GREAT!!!!!!

Ron H

@harmonyards posted:

Looks like a 3 rail Mogul chassis to the rescue, or 3 rail that chassis, depending on WB  ……I would swap that in a heartbeat,…..no worries now that I know what it looks like,….😉

Pat

It would be very easy.  The body comes off with just a few screws.  When I get done working for the day (retirement is still probably 20 years off for me!) I'll get some photos of the mechanism and chassis.  I have it apart now pending some minor repairs.

@harmonyards posted:

……so Lou, if you’re seeing this, please post up your rattle canned ATSF pieces ( they’re gorgeous)  and also share your process, which I believe mirrors mine,  but your still on rattle cans,,…we can add more details as warranted, or if Alan Arnold thinks we need to move this part, that’s fine too,….I’ve got no problem doing tutorials ….

Pat

I basically use the same technique as you, but use trim black in rattle cans. I will give an additional note: you can clear over the SEM trim black, but only the matt/flat version. Clear will not stick to the glossy version of trim black. If you're using water slide decals just polish the area you're decaling to give it a sheen/smoothness to hide the film.

This ATSF Northern is matt SEM trim black with SEM satin clear.

This ATSF Texas is matt SEM trim black with SEM matt clear.

@harmonyards posted:

I can go either way,….when I retire from the day job next November, I’ll have more time to dedicate to the custom railroad work,…including swaps in either direction,…I can make tires and swap 3 rail driver sets to 2 rail,…..just right now that’s not something I can do in a timely manner,….but when I retire, it’ll be everything O scale,..2 rail, 3 rail, narrow gauge, and all …

Pat

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Tires Pat, you make tires? Is that traction tires or railroad tires? I'm thinking you mean tires as working metal I think it would be easier than trying to make traction tires. Be interesting to see how you do that.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Tires Pat, you make tires? Is that traction tires or railroad tires? I'm thinking you mean tires as working metal I think it would be easier than trying to make traction tires. Be interesting to see how you do that.

Dave, in that conversation we’re talking about the metal tires. The part pressed onto the wheel……when converting a three rail to two rail, you have to cut off the big pizza cutter flanges ( metal tires) then machine the wheel down some on the back side, to accept a thinner tire for 2 rail scale …..one side has to be isolated from the rail……

Pat

Wow, it's awesome you'll be doing that in the future; I suspect you will find yourself staying pretty busy. 🙂

Mark in Oregon 🌲🎄🎁

@harmonyards posted:

Dave, in that conversation we’re talking about the metal tires. The part pressed onto the wheel……when converting a three rail to two rail, you have to cut off the big pizza cutter flanges ( metal tires) then machine the wheel down some on the back side, to accept a thinner tire for 2 rail scale …..one side has to be isolated from the rail……

Pat

Just like the real thing. I saw them do that at Steamtown the first year I went there. It was extremely interesting how they do it. Just like putting the metal rim on a wagon wheel.

Lettering finished, this H10b is about to be put into revenue, just a few minor details to add, and then it’s time to top off the coal and go to work,…..

Pat

A short jaunt to the roundhouse for the finishing touches, class designations,coal and detail the builder’s plate is all that’s left….Merry Christmas to y’all!…

Pat

Another one looks great!!!

I never realized how compact of a powerhouse these, and most NYC steam, were until you see them naked.

well done!

Marvelous...Merry Christmas, Pat!

Mark in Oregon

Pat, are those Madison passenger cars reletter or that's how they were made? Merry Christmas BTW.

@Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

Pat, are those Madison passenger cars reletter or that's how they were made? Merry Christmas BTW.

Those are stock Kline Heavyweights…..

Merry Christmas!..

Pat