KTM I think PRR M1 project

@Dennis Holler posted:

Recently while searching for cool stuff like old doorstops, I ended up with this derelict  KTM PRR M1.  It's got a lot of issues, missing pilot and tender etc.  That said, it seems straight and more or less original from a gearbox and permag motor point of view.  no binding anywhere so that's dandy as well.  Anyone know if the PSC std PRR pilot will fit this beast?

Dennis where do you find these cool engines? Good luck on parts. Mark

Pretty sure around here somewhere I have a die cast scale M1 pilot from a TMCC Lionel,….to be sure with your skills you can graft it in Dennis,….holler at me if you want it, and I’ll see if I can track it down….

Pat

Dennis, nice M1 find. Can you show the underside? All you need is a tender.

Here are a couple of underside and under hood views.

the rubber gromets for the soft permag motor mount are practically dust as you would expect. Thinking even if I leave the permag in it for a while, I may forgo the Toyota hose coupling for some rc car joints like Pat uses. Those are pretty slick and even on the old stuff should work good. Thanks for the offer on the pilot Pat, I might have sometging that will work as well. Did KTM ever make these with the prewar bar style pilot? I’ve seen a lot with the postwar pilot, I just like the early one better. Also correct me but I assume that is still the early Max/KTM gearbox?

oh picked it up at the last Stout auction when no one bud on it lol. It was pretty darned cheap really. Plus I am a PRR FREAK lmao.

I’ll defer the PRR particulars to the Pennsy guys,…..I can’t answer what pilots are what, …it does have some hallmarks of early Max Gray. The blind center drivers are throwing me off, but that could’ve been done by a previous owner,…..I like the layer of crud, crust & goo all over the frame,….that adds a level of character,…you might wipe off the gear box base cover and see if KTM is stamped or plated on the gear box,……

Pat

Update, I thought I had a PRR modern pilot floating around. Not sure if it is PSC or not, but I could  probably modify this to work if needed.

Dennis, it looks like a Max Gray engine. They are very sturdy and well-constructed. A Pitman can motor will mount right in on the motor mount. The drivers should all have flanges. Good luck with your new project!

Love the cast steel pilot.  But shouldn't the headlight be on top of the smokebox and the generator mounted on the face below?  I know this is considered an aesthetic faux pax to late PRR steam, but I personally like the more aggressive look.

Either way, nice project and enjoy working on it!

If you do go with universal joints, please post details (make, source etc.  I was going to do that on a US Hobbies / KTM Berkshire but without cutting shafts and redoing supports I could not find anything short enough.  looks like you might have the same problem

There were a few K4s, M1, and M1b's modernized with drop coupler cast pilots while retaining their headlights and generators in the as built location. Some Pennsy fans term this the hybrid front end treatment.   Apparently, PRR shops in the west were slower than those in the east to do the headlight/generator position swap.  I like the look and modified a PSC K4s and an Overland M1b to follow the details found on prototypes 5492 and 6783 using early 1950's photos as a guide.   

Ed, I like seeing your layout, it looks so realistic, thanks for sharing.

Just a note that the M1A at the railroad museum of Pennsylvania has blind center drivers.  So this engine is following the prototype.  It looked like the M1b might be fully flanged referencing pennsy power book.

Dennis, just wondering how your project is coming.