Lionel Camelback Cab Details

I was wondering also about adding detail to the Lionel Camelback model, but I was more fixated on the exterior detail. I haven't actually pulled the trigger on the latest Lionel offering as I much prefer the tooling and details of the MTH version. It was nearly double the price of the Lionel model, but I would be willing to pay for the extra detail.

However, finding and MTH Premier Camelback for sale has been tough. I would consider either release (2008, 2016) of the Reading version but to this point I have exclusively Legacy steam engines so I would have to commit to another control system. Not sure I want to do that, except there are a few other small Premier steam engines I would like to have eventually as well. I doubt Lionel bought all of the ones I'm hoping to get although that would be ideal.

Getting back around to adding exterior detail to a steam locomotive, how are things best attached?

Can't see the interior in the pics, all dark inside the cab.

Start hitting the books, on the railroads that used them , the engine you want to model, and every photo and slide you can find. I have gotten a lot of info off old photo's

On a camelback, the back-head (firebox face) usually had had two firing doors, a tri-cock and water gauge, steam pressure gauge and an air brake gauge. Sometimes a rack to hold oiling cans (and a coffee pot) as well. There usually was also provision for the bell cord.    On the right (engineer's) side of the loco in the center cab was the throttle, reverser, air brake stand, bolier water injector control valves, sander control valve, whistle and bell cords, a seat (the cab window arm rest was also used as a seat many times), and a manifold with valves for appliances such as the air compressor and turbogenerator.  Also, the boiler pressure gauge, boiler water level sight glass, air brake gauge and speedometer. Electrical switches for the headlights and class lights (when used) as well. And a valve to provide steam heat for passenger cars, if equipped for that service.  Lots of stuff in a very small space!  The camelback's center cab on the left side generally had very little in it other than a seat and maybe plumbing for the left side boiler water injector. 

S. Islander   

@Patrick1544 posted:

Can't see the interior in the pics, all dark inside the cab.

Sorry about that, I'll try to take some more pics in a bit that are a bit clearer. To be honest there's not really anything in there. One pipe or two. 

@S. Islander posted:

On a camelback, the back-head (firebox face) usually had had two firing doors, a tri-cock and water gauge, steam pressure gauge and an air brake gauge. Sometimes a rack to hold oiling cans (and a coffee pot) as well. There usually was also provision for the bell cord.    On the right (engineer's) side of the loco in the center cab was the throttle, reverser, air brake stand, bolier water injector control valves, sander control valve, whistle and bell cords, a seat (the cab window arm rest was also used as a seat many times), and a manifold with valves for appliances such as the air compressor and turbogenerator.  Also, the boiler pressure gauge, boiler water level sight glass, air brake gauge and speedometer. Electrical switches for the headlights and class lights (when used) as well. And a valve to provide steam heat for passenger cars, if equipped for that service.  Lots of stuff in a very small space!  The camelback's center cab on the left side generally had very little in it other than a seat and maybe plumbing for the left side boiler water injector.

S. Islander   

This is an AWESOME description! I'll defintley try to add some of these. I'm also contemplating taking out the Engineer figures and putting in ones from Woodland Scenics! That being said, would you or anyone else have an idea on how to model these features in O scale? What items would be best used to make these gauges and levers? I could possibly use legos for the gagues, Lego even makes gauge pieces, but I worry they will be too big to fit in the small space.  Perhaps cardstock cut into circles?

@Randy_B posted:

I was wondering also about adding detail to the Lionel Camelback model, but I was more fixated on the exterior detail. I haven't actually pulled the trigger on the latest Lionel offering as I much prefer the tooling and details of the MTH version. It was nearly double the price of the Lionel model, but I would be willing to pay for the extra detail.

However, finding and MTH Premier Camelback for sale has been tough. I would consider either release (2008, 2016) of the Reading version but to this point I have exclusively Legacy steam engines so I would have to commit to another control system. Not sure I want to do that, except there are a few other small Premier steam engines I would like to have eventually as well. I doubt Lionel bought all of the ones I'm hoping to get although that would be ideal.

Getting back around to adding exterior detail to a steam locomotive, how are things best attached?

Do what I did. Get the older TMCC version. I plan on having the sound fiddled with so I get more than one chuff per revolution, but it is a great running model and is more or less visually identical to the new Legacy one other than the fact that it has TMCC.  If you don't mind fewer electronics its a good buy. I got mine for $400 which I don't think is a bad price for a steam loco of that caliber. It's a good puller and looks great.  The fact that it's a Valley engine doesn't hurt either. 

All your O scale steam cab interior parts can be found in the Precision Scale Models catalog.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

All your O scale steam cab interior parts can be found in the Precision Scale Models catalog.

Thanks!!! I'll have to look that up!!!