Hello Forumites. I searched, but did not find anyone who could lower K-Line locos on their trucks. Specifically...the PRR RS-3 Hammerhead, and the F-7 units both look like they are on stilts! Any help in directing me to the answer will be appreciated. Thank you, Tom
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From doing this in G scale, the process usualy involves modifications to the top of the truck bolster on the truck itself if possible. Sometimes you cannot due to the position of the motor if its self containted in the truck and not mounted upright like MTH ect are. If thats the case, then modifcations to the frame of the locomotive is whats required to lower the engine down. Or better yet, find a Weaver RS3 and build it up into a Hammerhead. They sit lower on the trucks since the 3 rail and 2 rail versions shared the same frame/drive system. Older Lionel F units and Williams F units also sit lower on thier trucks and look more correct. Mike
I was able to lower these K-line F3s about 1/16" by trimming 1/16" off each of the plastic screw mounts inside the shell with a dremel. I also needed to trim off plastic projections inside the roof of the shell to clear the back wall of the cab and to clear the flywheel. You can't lowered them much more than this or else the flywheel will rub inside the shell, but the 1/16" did improve the appearance.
Go to the end of this thread for pictures.
Bob
Thank you, guys!
Sympathies. One of the hardest - if not impossible in any practical sense - things to do in 3RO, due to the typical vertical motor/motor frame mount architecture in our end of the room. I like the vertical can-motor system better than the motor/driveshaft/gearboxes system - until you want to change it.
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Funny - in the real world, the diesel loco was much easier to maintain/modify/upgrade than the steam locomotive. In the model world, I have found steamers to be far easier to live with when you want to mess with them, or even maintain them. Even easier to disassemble than most model diesels.
Four - maybe six - boiler screws, as I recall, on my Lionel USRA 2-6-6-2 and, bam, the boiler's off and there it all is. No prob.
Atlas diesels....? 30 min. later - with damage - it's finally open. Maybe. The, putting it all back in around those flywheels...unh.
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