I have not post much on the trip made by NKP 765 as there are folks here that post their photos and they were much better than mire!!! But I had such a fantastic time the whole May 25-27 weekend I felt the need to memorialize the event in the way I often do......make a model of it! So upon return I pulled my MTH RK Kanawha (Berk to the rest of you) to see how hard it would be to make a NKP replica. To my surprise it was very very close to exact (was NKP 765 used as the prototype??) But I didn't want to use one of my favorite C&O locos so I went on the hunt for a suitable 765 model. Scale Berks were ruled out pretty quick. Nice models but beyond what I was willing to pay or could justify after a long weekend in PA!! But I quickly found a early MTH RK ERIE Berk conventional model that would work perfectly! Best of all it was well under $150 and it was basically NOS as it had no run marks! Here is what I ended up with. I have to make the upper number boards yet....and then it will get a clear flat coat. But I wanted to show it now while I figure out how to make the number boards.
The MTH ERIE tampos were easy to remove with some enamel thinner, the tampos came off without disturbing the paint at all!!!! My lucky day! I them painted the firebox sides with Testors flat stainless and a little Tamiya white for the staining. I also did the foot boards and center running board in white trim. I coated the handrails in Neo-Lube but will leave the rest un-weathered as the car host in our car talked about how hard she worked helping keep the 765 clean!
I was unable to find any decals for 765.....and much less 'traditional' sized decals were never made as far as I could tell. So working off photos I made decals and applied them. you can see a little 'halo' around them now but the clear flat will take care of this later.
I wanted figures in the cab but they'd never be seen through the extremely heavy window frames and the side windows should be open anyways! Using a jewelers saw I cut out all the window frames except the most forward set....which replicated the look of 765 pretty well. I was amazed how much removing the window frames helped the overall look!!! The figures are Circus World figures. They are positionable and had wide brimmed hats that converted to engineers caps easily. I had some nicer pewter figures but they were a bit large for this RK loco....and these are $1.50 for 8 so if I messed up...no biggy! I made seats from plastic.
I did not paint the driver tires white as I feared they look bad if not perfect....so I left them plated in hopes while running they'd kinda look white.
Wave to the boss as he goes by!!! After some clean up and detailing she will be complete and always remind us of our great weekend. And I can run her even during modern operating sessions.
I do want to thank all the Fort Wayne, NS and all involved for making a trip of a lifetime possible. THANKS!!!
