Adding a scale chassis to an MTH almost scale CNJ Pacific

Nope.  Take that IMP mechanism, hold it by the tailbeam, and with your other hand, hold your nose.

Then drop the entire mechanism in the recycling bin, put the lid on, release your nose and walk carefully away.  Hopefully no cooties remain on your fingers.

Then find a Lobaugh mechanism, a Pittman 8000- series motor, and some Toyota #0 hose.  Mount the motor low on the tailbeam with aircraft safety wire, then marry the boiler.  Easy.  Count on me if you need mechanical help.

If you have to buy an entire Lobaugh junker, I will do it for you in exchange for shipping and leftover parts.

The only good thing about the IMP Pacific is the sand dome.  The rest is pure junk.

Why not look for an MTH 2R [ = scale wheels in MTH-speak ] Pacific -- either the complete loco, or ideally just what you need.  Granted, it requires patience, but since you're going 2R you'll need that sooner or later.

I would think the internal layout would be very similar -- but I have been known to assume that in the past, and be wrong, especially since MTH's Chinese designers seem* to want to reinvent everything but the wheels [ and sometimes those also ] with each different model.

SZ

*Perhaps I should use the past tense now....

EMD:  Every Model Different

Both good suggestions.  The MTH chassis is fairly accurate, just finding one in two rail is always the challenge.  Of course finding a Lobaugh junker may be just as challenging!  I figured out how I can add the Wooten firebox without wholesale cutting of the cast shell.  I might do that first and track down missing details while I seek chassis parts.  I also will need to track down an accurate tender.   

I plan on detailing for its last year of service in 1953. 

What did I get myself into!

Pat @harmonyards might be able to help. He's done plenty of MTH chassis swaps.

I do indeed have a bunch of 2 rail MTH chassis....but I’m not familiar with the CNJ Pacifics....are these just P47’s in disguise?.....can you post up a pic, preferably of a model, and not a copyrighted pic ....this way we’ll all stay out of jail...😉....

I have quite a few Hudson type 2 rail chassis, a lot of the MTH Pacifics use this same chassis under them.....but it’ll all depend on driver type, rods and linkage type, etc. etc.....I’ve been sorting out my stuff, and I’ve run across a couple 2 rail CNW Hudson chassis ( same as P47 Pacifics) but these I know have Laird ( multiple bearing) cross heads, and boxpok drivers...but we’ll see, maybe we can get you hooked up with some parts...

Pat

Pat,

Thanks for the info!  It is a standard P47 casting in disguise.  I'll post a picture of the body when I get home.  I can also post a link to the MTH site for what catalog it is in.  When I redid a Mantua HO Presidential Pacific in HO way back in my 20's into this locomotive I had to live with the boxpox drivers it came with.  Tried Bowser spoked wheels and the whole mechanism bound on me.

The prototypes were built in the late 20's and had spoked drivers and the standard delta trailing truck.  If I recall, the prototype was based on a USRA Heavy Pacific design. 

Pictures soon and thanks again!

That’ll be cool Johnathan, pretty sure we can play right here,  on this thread and see what we can come up with....The MTH Premier P47’s utilize the Hudson chassis with adapted trucks ...I have one Delta truck that’ll make sure doesn’t leave my sight.....I know I have a scale 2 rail pilot truck too, so maybe we can get you something together ....Pretty sure everything in Pacific MTH land utilized the NYC J1e chassis, I’ve used the Blue Comet chassis in some Hudsons, beings they’re the same....I think the only odd man out in Pacifics for MTH stuff is y’all’s pesky K4’s ....seems they’re all by themselves as far as parts are concerned...

Pat

Pat,

I guess it would have been easiest just to state that this locomotive shell is the Blue Comet shell.  It's road number 835 which was painted black to pull the Queen of the Valley.  I'll get good shots of all size to show what I have already in terms of parts.  Thanks again!

That’s good news for you then, the chassis I have here will bolt in place...let’s figure this out when you get home, and have a chance to sit and take pics of what all you have....I’ll keep an eye on the forum and wait till you have a chance to post up ....

Pat

As anyone who knows me, I have the habit of getting involved in multiple projects at once ..... maybe I'll even finish one some day.

Back to this project here are some photos that I promised to post.  This casting is actually quite excellent.  MTH did a nice job on the tooling with operating vents on the roof, operating windows, and some nice accurate details.  As you can see in the photos this comes with some of the wiring harnesses and includes the complete smoke system even though I don't run my with that option.

Time to start figuring out what I would need to complete this one.  I'm going to do the Wooten firebox as a brass "box" form and screw it to the existing body from the inside.  That is really the major flaw with the MTH tooling on this one.

It’s a shame you ain’t a 3 railer Johnathan, ...I have that chassis in three rail, complete....the shell you have there accepts the Premier NYC type chassis...I do have a few 2 rail Hudson type chassis that’ll be a bolt in swap, however, I don’t have any with spoke drivers....I have 2 with boxpok that are from a CNW Hudson ( multiple bearing cross heads) and one NYC type with Scullin discs....that frame is bare, drivers only....you may be able to buy that chassis as a two rail from MTH’s parts dept....depending on what rod assemblies you need, I might be able to set you up...I do have the correct steam chest and pilot for that loco and front & rear trucks,...the front truck is already 2 rail scale, the rear truck you’ll need to adapt to 2 rail...I might even have the correct 2 rail axle set for the rear truck....rear truck is delta...

Pat

Johnathan, if you decide not to do anything with that shell, I certainly have a use for it...

Pat

Pat,

I plan on holding onto the shell.  It is likely the closest I'll get to a mostly accurate CNJ G3 (p47) Pacific.  It is very difficult to find equipment that actually resembles the equipment they operated.  10 wheeler Camelbacks are a dime a dozen although rare in 2 rail.  No one has done CNJ 592, the Atlantic Camelback that lives in the B&O museum and arrived operational in the early 50's.  Pacifics are just hard to find.  Some of the Weaver Reading ones are close, but need work.

Short story, is someday I'll get this together and running.  So far I am just running DC when I get a change to even run a train these days so command can come much later.  I'll definitely be talking to you when I get some time away from my day job to get into this project.

Thanks!

No worries Johnathan, just checking....lemme know when your ready to pick away at the project, I’ll let you probe through my junk....I wound up with quite a bit of 2 rail parts...

Pat

@GG1 4877 posted:

Pat,

I plan on holding onto the shell.  It is likely the closest I'll get to a mostly accurate CNJ G3 (p47) Pacific.  It is very difficult to find equipment that actually resembles the equipment they operated.  10 wheeler Camelbacks are a dime a dozen although rare in 2 rail.  No one has done CNJ 592, the Atlantic Camelback that lives in the B&O museum and arrived operational in the early 50's.  Pacifics are just hard to find.  Some of the Weaver Reading ones are close, but need work.

Short story, is someday I'll get this together and running.  So far I am just running DC when I get a change to even run a train these days so command can come much later.  I'll definitely be talking to you when I get some time away from my day job to get into this project.

Thanks!

Johnathan, I found today a 2 rail chassis with spoke drivers that’ll be a bolt in for your project....you may get a hold of me for more details...if you’d like ...

Pat

Email sent Pat.  Thank you!