O gauge central pacific 4-8-0 project

Looks to be an interesting project; please keep us posted.

Mark in Oregon

PLease keep us informed

Thanks! It will be a while before this will be completed as for starters this will be my first time making a loco from the ground up. I'm still figuring out if I should use metal or plastic tubing for the boiler, what motor to use and how it will be placed on the chassis. Any suggestions will be welcome! 

Well, plastic tube would probably be a whole lot easier I suspect.  The motor is a bit problematic, how much room do you have?  There are some pancake motors that would be a lot shorter.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, plastic tube would probably be a whole lot easier I suspect.  The motor is a bit problematic, how much room do you have?  There are some pancake motors that would be a lot shorter.

The plastic tube would be easier.

O-o-o-o - slice, dice and cuss. A guy after my own heart. Let us see the results - or progress along the way.

One thing - I know nothing about your scratch building/bashing experience (I've done quite a bit over the years), but this promises to be quite a project. If it is your first...be patient. Always better to start with something not too ambitious.

If you are experienced...never mind. 

Great...different is good!

What about the idea of getting a couple of MPC, or, LTI 4-4-0's and using them for most of what you need.

From what I've seen, they both share similar cabs, steam domes, sand domes, front pilots, etc. It would appear the only thing that would pose a problem would be the length of the boiler.

Looks like a great project - if you have problems along the way, we'll be glad to help.

This locomotive (Williams by Bachmann Ten-Wheeler) would be the closest visual starting point. The extra set of drivers requiring a longer frame and, of course, a longer boiler would still be a challenge.

Jim R. posted:

This locomotive (Williams by Bachmann Ten-Wheeler) would be the closest visual starting point. The extra set of drivers requiring a longer frame and, of course, a longer boiler would still be a challenge.

But Blake has a longer frame to use already. He specifically wanted an 8 wheeled chassis.

D500 posted:

O-o-o-o - slice, dice and cuss. A guy after my own heart. Let us see the results - or progress along the way.

One thing - I know nothing about your scratch building/bashing experience (I've done quite a bit over the years), but this promises to be quite a project. If it is your first...be patient. Always better to start with something not too ambitious.

If you are experienced...never mind. 

I've done scratchbuilding and kitbashing before so I want to tackle a project like this! Yeah definately I'm gonna take my time with it. 

Well after a few years I'm back onto working on this project, not much has been done but so far I have a set of cylinders, pilot truck crosshead guides, a pilot (needed a 1880s style cowcatcher) all these parts were mostly sourced from another project locomotive that I bought and figured it would work better on this. I also have a boiler but it's mostly serving as a mock-up, this wont be the final boiler as I need a tube smaller, and I have to make the wagon top firebox. As for the motor I'm thinking of using the existing coupling from the original Lionel kotor, and matching it up to a smaller motor. Can't say how it will be set up yet. Sometime this week I will be starting to modify the chassis to accept these parts.  The drive rods from the cylinders will most likely be scratch built. Stay tuned!

Did some work yesterday, I cut some unwanted metal of the chassis so the "new" cylinder and saddle can fit then cut down the saddle to the height I needed, shape isn't finalized just yet. The crossheads I think I'm going to use some old Lionel postwar ones I have lying around, I will have to make new crosshead guides along with a pair of drive rods. The front of the chassis will be grinded back so the brass pilot can be fitted. The cowcatcher on the pilot will be cut off so a more accurate 1880's wooden style one can be added. Once all this is set up and everything rolls nicely I can start work on the permanent boiler and motor setup.

Some progress I've made on this Locomotive. Boiler is nearing completion, cylinders almost finished, pilot truck finshed (modified Lionel General pilot truck) and I've made a motor set up using parts of the original this chassis came with, we will see how well it works when I test it but it fits perfectly (I had to remove the leaf springs above the rear drive wheels beforehand) motor is a 12 volt motor I had in a box of motors. Next will be the pilot, valve guides and drive rods.

Tender is recieving some work too, tender flaring has been changed per the prototype, and new trucks will be added, plastic beneath the wood load was removed entirely so a new one can be made

I'm looking forward to seeing more progress on this one.

Some updates on this project, the boiler and cylinders were primed, and a set of domes were found, they are from a Lionel G scale 0-6-0, they still need work but they were perfect for this project, pretty much spot on. I've also started the running boards made from brass. The plan is to have the boiler, running boards and cab all screw together. Tender recieved new trucks. Other stuff that is progressing is the drive rods and valve gear, pilotdeck and Cowcatcher, and the cab, will be using part of a Lionel General cab, the rest built from styrene and acrylic sheet per the prototype. The motor has been tested and does work rather well.

This locomotive going to be one sazzy piece of iron once it's complete.

Some updates on my O scale Central Pacific 4-8-0 "Mastodon" Locomotive. The cab is pretty much done, needs a little more detail and sanding so it's somewhat perfect. Cab was made mostly from styrene and brass, using part of a Lionel General cab as the basis. The boiler is almost done as well, painted using model master buffable "gunmetal" paint. Awaiting a new smokestack and headlight in the mail. The tender is pretty much done sans lettering and the top piece that will have the toolboxes, fuel load, etc. Next to install will be the same dome, handrail stacions and handrails, bell, and eventually the front pilot. Soon enough I'll work on the running gear.

Unique project! Great modeling!! JohnA

Update on the project, slowly but surely it's coming together, cab is finshed, boiler is finshed, domes installed (sand dome top will be replaced, not happy with how it came out) boiler bands are thin metal with auto gold striping. Boiler is painted model master buffable gunmetal metalizer. Smokestack had rivet decals added. Running boards still needs work. Next thing to do are the pilot deck w/Cowcatcher, and headlight, then to work on the chassis. Here the loco is pictures on my club layout.