Before we begin, my theme for this year is to get things done, ....projects were backing up, but I’m making great strides to get stuff knocked out ( without sacrificing quality) .....I don’t get all the time I’d like to spend in the RR shop, so I have to find time to get in there and do these kind of intricate projects I enjoy,.......so no, I’m not lightning fast, wish I could be, but I do have a demanding day job that keeps the lights on!......anyways,....my good buddy Lou ( Lou1985) approached me before Christmas, about making a flip top stack for one of his ATSF Texas locos.....I must admit, I have no clue about ATSF steamers, nor will I ....but Lou presented his plans and gave me plenty of napkin drawings to go by to make the stack happen,.....I’m sure Lou will fill in the who, what where & why,.....I pretty much just went by what looks as best as it can and what’s gonna work......I’m sure the purists can point out the flaws, but we’re happy with how it turned out, and the point is conveyed ,......the stack halves are made from a solid stick of brass, and the hinges are strip brass bent and soldered in place,......I did dribble a tiny bit of solder installing the hinges, but thanks to master builder Pete ( Norton) he reminded me about solder wick, and that saved the day!...finally, I gave the stack a thin coating of flat black so Lou can dust it with his graphite color easily for a great finish.......
Pat
