Here's a picture I took years ago of Southern 1401 at the Smithsonian. Does anybody have a technique to simulate those cylinder head covers on a brass model? It seems like you often see silver paint used, but I'm not convinced by that look.
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How did you come up with the term "babbitted cylinder head covers"? Most railroads used either stainless steel, or nickel plated covers. The "babbitt" material is a lead-tin bearing surface material for plain bearings.
That's what the Southern called them, according to TIES magazine. Also new to me.
Try Alclad II.
Seems to me that Babbitt would turn a dull grey in about a week.
Edit: I take that back. Babbitt is mostly tin. Why not coat the cylinder head with that 96% tin "silver solder" with low melting point, then polish?
Why not sure nickel silver?
Tell me how. I find that most nickel platers want to know how many thousand parts you need plated. Here is Alclad II over gloss black - it is "stainless" which is quite dark compared to bright nickel.
Looks like I have my answer - thanks, Bob!
Sorry Bob, I thought he was building the cylinders from scratch.
You mean machining the ends from nickel silver rod? Good idea. But my experience with nickel silver is that it tarnishes rather quickly, while plated bright nickel seems to stay more or less shiny for decades.
Good to know, thanks Bob.
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