Beater 2056 hudson restoration project

Can't wait for the after photos.  There's a 2056 sitting on a display shelf at our local train museum.  It got me thinking Id really like one of these or a 646.  

Here are some in progress pics.  Normaly the steam chest is blackened and not painted, but the corrosion was so bad, I just painted it along with the boiler.  I tried cleaning the boiler twice to remove enough of the "crud" and it still didn't look much better than when I got it.  So it got its handrails removed and a complete respray.  I baked both boiler and steam chest in the over at 180'F for 1.5 hours.  This helps cure and harden the paint.  first pic shows the cleaned up power chassis.  I took my stainless steel wire wheel on my 2 speed dremel on low and burnished them somewhat shiny again. (really wish I still had the spare parts I used to have, I could fix the smoke puffer without spending $$).  Boiler is just sitting there for the pic, needs handrails reinstalled.  She is missing one marker light, but I went ahead and repainted the boiler front to match.  I usually see a gentleman at one of our shows that has broken off marker lights you can JB weld back on the boiler front.  Smoke unit is working, got nice and warm when I was running the power chassis to limber it up.  These are probably the best Hudsons for smaller layouts.  Semi scale ones like the 773 are really nice, but look oversize on smaller layouts.  The 2046/56 Hudsons just look right.  I like them better than the 2055 ATSF style Hudson. Next on my want list is the early run 675 PRR engine with the silver smoke stack and Baldwin disc drivers.  But any cheap 675/2025/2035 will be on my radar, then it will be on to a Turbine and Berkshire.  I know where there is a 736 Berk in the same condtion, rusty, locked up but the nit wit shop owner thinks it worth over $100!  I laughed, I might give 40-50 bucks for it max.  Boiler front is junk, rods are junk, unknown motor and smoker condition and no tender either.   Mike

I added a berk front to my 2046 as well as a swinging bell and a whistle. Made it look great.

More pics,  now the engine is more shiny than the tender and that is after I tried to polish up the tender. The whistle was a mess, frozen motor, rusted out front truck.  I replaced the truck, rebuilt the whistle motor and she works for the most part. needs to run for awhile to polish up the wheels and rollers now.  Enjoy!    Mike

nuthin better than bringing one back to life. nice job.

Artfull, I think I have a new/old boiler front for her if you need it. Is it the one with a screw hole on the top. Both marker lights are there. Don

Yes Don, it has the screw hole on the top.  Let me know.   Mike

It would be about fifteen dollars for shipping including other things I think you need. I will send the stuff and pay me what you think it's worth for you. Don

Send me your address. jrnyfilms@comcast.net