My 1615 project

Hi Dave,

  I think the guy who urged you to start this thread is incredibly wise and handsome...but that is just my opinion! 

  Glads you started it and I look forward to more of your posts.

Tom 

Let me know if you need a Pennsy headlight, I have them somewhere...

Dave, I found you a choice of 1615-type tenders...for $9, if interested.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/O-SCAL...f20a0:g%3Cimg%20src=

Tom 

Great project......I love to watch old trains resurrected!

Peter

thanks Tom, I have an orphan Marx tender I'm going to use. swap Lionel trucks and add some details to.

the headlight turned out pretty good. I'll have to fab a headlight mount to reach I'm sure.

Looking good Dave! 

replacement steam chest was waiting for me yesterday, and got the handrail from the parts bin.

It's looking good, is there any way to lower it a bit, seems lightly too high.  I know the old prewar switcher shells were set up to accept the 6 wheel motor, there may be more casting "stuff" in the 1615 that makes that fit up more difficult.  Can't wait to see how it comes out!

yeah I noticed that too Dennis. I just quickly tossed this motor frame in the shell, and I want to avoid drilling a hole in the shell, but will do so if necessary. I'd like to use the factory screw hole in the backhead, and that's what's holding the motor on now. I haven't had much time to explore lowering the shell.

I don't have a 1615 these days, I use to a long time ago.  I know the motor is very different than the prewar versions.  I'm not sure how different the mounting points might be.  You could compare the two since you have the 1662 and 1615.  That might be what is causing the shell to sit high.  I will say, though, that the 203 motor mounts from the top in the back versus the rear horizontal screw in the 1662 0-4-0.  The boss is there on the top underside in all those prewar switchers but they only drilled it for the 201/203 0-6-0's.

You could probably install a lower crossbar in that motor to lower the mount.. ahh lots of ways to skin that cat I guess   I'm pretty sure you will make it work   You can also see they cut the E unit slot in a different spot based on the motor.  Again, the shell has provision for both slots.  Last photo just for comparison on installed height on the 0-6-0.  That prewar 0-6-0 motor is basically the same as the 1666, 1668, and later 221 I think.

yeah I got a few minutes earlier to look at it and I don't see much of a problem lowering the shell.

I'm figuring on using a 1666

 type motor, I've got a fondness for the nickel rims.

Yeah, I like those motors and the 224/225/226 motors a lot.  They are so smooth and quiet. 

I've built 9 engines so far with a 1666/675 type motor.

Keep posting - I have a 'beater' 1615, and might have to do one of these (I do have a 203, but more is better with these switchers!). Would like to see how the Marx tender stacks up, although the 1615 slope back tenders can be had for about $5 at meets.

Jim

one of the few 1615 bodies with intact marker lights

Jim Waterman posted:

Keep posting - I have a 'beater' 1615, and might have to do one of these (I do have a 203, but more is better with these switchers!). Would like to see how the Marx tender stacks up, although the 1615 slope back tenders can be had for about $5 at meets.

Jim

Did you say more is better?

actually the Marx tender I have is identical to the Lionel Tender I have behind my other 1615. If it weren't for the trucks, they would be. Makes me wonder if they didn't share the mold.the only difference I see is the coal pile. I added the headlight off a junk Lionel boiler front to the Lionel tender.

I think I read somewhere that the Marx tender is a bootleg copy of the Lionel one. It's one of the few true O-scale items made by Marx!   lol

Looking forward to seeing a freshly outshopped 0-6-0 in all her glory Dave!

found a little bit of time to pull the Marx tender into the shop. Swapped out the Marx trucks for a pair of Lionel Staple ends. The headlight I cut off the front of 1615 found it's way on the rear of the tender. Some handrail stock I had got bent,a quick sanding and a trip to the paint shop. Then added some lettering. Turned out pretty good.

Way cool Dave!!!!!!!!!!!

Your gonna have to pose all those switchers together when you get done with this one

Nice job Dave.

Tom

"all those switchers"? I think you're confusing me with yourself Dennis...I only have three!

Steamer posted:

found a little bit of time to pull the Marx tender into the shop. Swapped out the Marx trucks for a pair of Lionel Staple ends. The headlight I cut off the front of 1615 found it's way on the rear of the tender. Some handrail stock I had got bent,a quick sanding and a trip to the paint shop. Then added some lettering. Turned out pretty good.

Boy, does that look good! Great decal job - I think the lettering (and paint) makes the loco. Looks like Microscale O decals!

I started on a very similar project at least 20 years ago.  I was able to mount a motor form a 2026 after I removed the smoke unit lever.  I never worked out the drive rods for the piston.  I could have modified a drive rod, but I was looking for a drop in. I'm looking forward to see how yours turns out.  I still have mine sitting in a box with no drive rod.

Jim they are Microscale,picked them up at Milepost 38 when I was out there a few years ago.

Tom...get that sucker outta the box and get working on it!

Dennis Holler posted:

It's looking good, is there any way to lower it a bit, seems lightly too high.  I know the old prewar switcher shells were set up to accept the 6 wheel motor, there may be more casting "stuff" in the 1615 that makes that fit up more difficult.  Can't wait to see how it comes out!

 

I compared project 1615 to 1622, and it was a whole 1/8" higher,it would actually fit under the cab roof of 1622,but it did look higher than that...I think it was the aluminum motor frame.Did some modifying and got it lowered.Does look better. And Momma was happy with her surprise at dinner.

Dave, That looks pretty good. Thanks for the comparison picture. I guess if that aluminum frame looks too overwhelming, you could brush on some flat back paint where it is most visible? 

Tom 

Steamer posted:

found a little bit of time to pull the Marx tender into the shop. Swapped out the Marx trucks for a pair of Lionel Staple ends. The headlight I cut off the front of 1615 found it's way on the rear of the tender. Some handrail stock I had got bent,a quick sanding and a trip to the paint shop. Then added some lettering. Turned out pretty good.

Nice job. The tender looks great.

Bob

Tom that's just a mock up frame I use. I'll be picking up a 1666 type motor, so it will be black and blend in.

didn't get anything done on the engine, worked on the honey do list this weekend. I did get some time to do a make over on the MPC tender I have behind 1622.

Dave,

  That looks great.

 Tom 

the paint on the shell looked pretty good except for where someone had sanded down the repaint to find the cab number, and this showed just how heavy the repaint was. Could barely make out the B6. So....off with the old and now a clean slate.

and with a fresh coat....

I was looking at Precision Scale for a number board for the boiler front, but didn't see a PRR round one. Any ideas guys?

Dave, That looks pretty fine looking. As far as your number board... I had one of my prewar switchers nearby while typing this...maybe part of a pen barrel/ housing? I had a plastic "Bic Round Stic" pen also handy and the circumference is very similar to the number plate on my 227-series switchers. You should be able to easily slice out a small section of the plastic pen barrel/housing using a Dremel tool or maybe even an Xacto knife. 

Tom 

that should work....but I would have to cut a piece of cardboard to fit.I'll look into that. Thanks Tom.

Tom you were so close....sitting here watching TV it came to me...the chrome ring that is on some pens! wouldn't have thought of it if you hadn't thought of using part of a pen.

I actually had thought of that, but did not have a pen like that laying around. Great minds think alike, I guess. 

Tom 

so what's that got to do with us......