This A class Hiawatha Atlantic was too hard to resist. It's an Overland model that probably spent more time on the shelf than actual running. Close investigation reveals an amateur paint job hiding some of the intense detail. Of course, the missing orange paint on the loco and tender sides sure makes this speed demon look subdued.
The poor paint was only outdone by the poorly applied wings.......so....
Rather than suffer the extra dry, lumpy finish, I chose to strip the shell in preparation for a new splash job at some future date..........and so...
A previous owner made the rear wall of the cab removable. Otherwise, a lot of neat detail might go unnoticed.
The opening fire box door plus a wealth of backhead goodies is topped off with a miniature oil can. I painted this to show off the detail better.
The running gear still sports it's "as is" paint work, which fortunately will only require a touch up.
The ancient Sagami and equally aged transmission were coaxed to life, but serious reworking will be needed here if it is to be a good runner.
The sprung cab doors detach with the back panel. Once the paint was removed, the sliding side windows began sliding again.
The shrouded smoke box detail could be accessed if you chose to cut the stylized wings between the hinges. Even with the wings removed it became obvious that the clam shell doors were soldered close.
All the access hatches have accompanying handles ...there must be a hundred of them. Even the running board hand rail has a ribbed pattern ( barely visible ) and is the only steel item on the loco shell.
Get rid of the paint and both pilot doors now open, revealing the folded coupler and above that the bell.
A parting shot with the tender. Definitely no high water pants on this rendition.
Bruce
