For those that remember the mint green Southern 4-6-0 that was done a couple years back I didn't think I ordered one and was glad I didn't when I saw the pictures of the actual model, but apparently I did, so I kept my word and took delivery. I understand that I can't be a complete rivet counter but I WAS NOT going have that engine in my fleet of Southern locomotives the way it was with wrong colors and incorrect class data, not to mention being numbered for the smallest of the southern 4-6-0s the F-1 class. Here's my solution.
While this locomotive is much larger than any 4-6-0 Southern had, I found the closest and came up with Fs-14 1087, the second largest 4-6-0s behind the Fs-17 class.
See SR 1087 (railfan.net) for a picture of the real 1087.
Since I was going to repaint it I decided do change a few things to get at least somewhat closer. Changed the location and style of the pop valves and whistle, moved the bell, moved the generator, changed the cab widows and used a smaller tender (with transplanted electronics).
Scalecoat Southern Green and K4 Supply decals and a brushed black cab roof to simulate cinders and soot (black stops at the rain gutters).
Had the color been correct I would have lived with what it was, but it wasn't, so I didn't.
While the real engine was somewhat new for wood cars, I have three green MTH 64ft coaches I lettered for Southern that might go with this engine.
I know I'm biased as it is my project but I think there is just no comparison to the mint green Christmas engine that it started out as.
Gray Lackey
