MTH Greenbrier Boiler detail

Yes, they should be separate, add-on brass lost-wax castings, as is almost all "off-the-boiler" detail on high-end (and some not-so-high-end) zinc/Zamak steamers.

I have one of these - an old PS-1 - that is boxed up right now. I would look for you, but, well, I don't want to...(it's really hard to get to).

I hate to see a beautiful Lima 4-8-4 made into something else, but your project also intrigues me. I bash things all the time.

Post photos as you go. 

Thank you for your reply.

Yes, I know, I hesitate (swing  back and forth) about modifying a great looking loco.  It would not be a perfect proto-type mod for the Rock Island, but fairly close.  Another candidate is the Lionel T-1...the boiler front would not require repositioning the bell, light, and it has no number boards to remove...but it would require quite a bit of added piping, injectors, etc.  

Operational wise, the MTH has the can motor vs. the Lionel Pull-Mor.

I have the ps1 version.  Pictures attached.  Looks like both the boards come off. Not sure about how cleanly the headlight comes off

Thanks for the close-up's Mike.

The number boards appear to have a tiny Philips screw holding them in place.

"Another candidate is the Lionel T-1...the boiler front would not require repositioning the bell, light, and it has no number boards to remove...but it would require quite a bit of added piping, injectors, etc.  

Operational wise, the MTH has the can motor vs. the Lionel Pull-Mor."

If I may intrude - or protrude - into your thought processes one more time, the can motor will operate better in general that the Pullmor - especially if you upgrade with ERR Cruise Commander (I recommend; straightforward). You can't have cruise control on the Pullmor AC. Having said that: the Pullmor can run quite well, and they tend to get better with age, so long as they are not worn out. The gearing on the RDG T-1 is pretty good - I have the Mohawk "version" - same drive train. Also, I am attempting a streamlining bash right now, employing a Lionel ATSF (really NYC #5344) Warhorse Hudson - with Pullmor and TMCC. Runs well. Noisy. Some are, some aren't. My Mohawk was converted (by Timko) to a can motor and ERR Cruise Commander. Great runner. The 5344 may get that, if and when...

The small details that you mentioned (added piping and the like) is actually the easy and fun part, as I discovered a long time ago. Getting the Big Basics right is the pain. Correct proportions are important, and a project does not have to get everything small right - so long as it gets nothing big wrong. If that makes any sense.

I don't know much about the CRIP, but they had some impressive 4-8-4's, and more than anyone else, I think. They, the CNW, the MoPac and the Frisco need more O steam models around, especially 4-8-4's and Frisco 4-8-2's.

Last evening I won the bid on the  MTH Greenbrier listed on Trainz/Dash 

I'll proceed to move the headlight up to the smoke-box  center and remove the high number boards.

Rock Island had two series of their heavy 4-8-4's. The 5000 and the 5100.  The Greenbrier has characteristics of both series...so I will re-number it 5051 and add the Rock Island red/white logo to the tender.  Not prototypical, but "fun/customized"  just the same.