MTH Railking PRR M1a Modernization Detail Project

Detail pictures M1a/b Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Strasburg, PA. 

So what's the difference between the PRR M1a vs the M1b  steam locomotive? (NO its not the "boiler front beautification project")

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

So what's the difference between the PRR M1a vs the M1b  steam locomotive? (NO its not the "boiler front beautification project")

A portion of the M1a's were converted to M1b's through the addition of firebox circulators which were essentially big pipes that carried water into the open space in the firebox thus 'circulating' the water and producing more steam. This in turn increased the boiler psi which then increased overall tractive effort. There was no visual difference between the M1a and the M1b except for firebox washout plugs. 

Some of the add on pieces, to the tender, a, or b, would have been the latest, last, PRR automated signal system.  Tender rear, and lower sides.  

Boiler plate was changed 1930. 

Finally a long awaited update after an account problem with the forum.

The engine has progressed at a good rate since the last time. Thanks to Mike CT for the photos! I'll share what I have here in chronological order. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find the headlight and dynamo were all separately applied rather than cast in. This meant no cutting or grinding or cutting would be required to move them. Here's the engine with a new PSC headlight sitting atop the boiler where  the old dynamo was. You can still see the wires for the original headlight coming out the front of the boiler.  

All painted up now. Given that this is a scale part on a not scale engine (albeit close) the headlight hangs over the edge just a little but not enough to bother me. Again note the wires and old headlight hanging in front. 

After waiting an eternity for my Lionel parts to come in I quickly installed the new dynamo and platform from a Lionel/K-Line K4. Ignore the paint blemish to the right. I accidentally rubbed away the paint while installing the dynamo and very hastily and obviously patched it up. It'll get properly fixed eventually. Still new at this... I also went ahead and reinstalled the old footboard pilot back on the engine for the time being to give a more finished look until I got the new cast one on. 

A side view showing off the train phone antenna I installed on the tender. Still need the radio receivers. 

And progress of today. As I type this the new pilot is in place but it will take a few hours until the JB Weld dries. It's a Lionel/K Line K4 pilot but with significant cutting to allow it to fit properly. It might be sitting out a little too far but that may be due to the lack of an air tank and servicing platform which I haven't got around to yet. Regardless I'm satisfied with it. 

At this point I'd say I'm about 70% complete so far. There is a few things to finish up all around the engine and tender but those will be worked on within the coming weeks. 

As I mentioned I'm still very much new to this sort of thing and as I've been working I've come into a few issues that I hope can be addressed here. 

1. What is the best way and what are the tools needed to core the bottom of the headlight for a bulb? Not sure how to go about it and leave a clean look. 

2. What is the best way to make lens and numberboard inserts for the headlight?

3. I want to get rid of those cast in class lights on the side and replace them with accurate Pennsy tombstone marker lights. Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to remove them cleanly?

Thanks and I hope to be able to update soon with more progress!

Did you ever finish the detailing project?